Cosme et al. (2025) Deconstructing Agrivoltaic Microclimates: A Critical Review of Inherent Complexity and a Minimum Viable Monitoring Framework

Identification

• Journal: Agronomy
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-09
• Authors: Ismael Cosme, Saraí Vázquez Y Parraguirre
• DOI: 10.3390/agronomy15122829

Research Groups

• National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE), Mexico

Short Summary

This systematic review critically analyzes the microclimatic impacts of agrivoltaic systems (AVS), revealing significant variability in effects on atmospheric, radiation, and soil parameters. It proposes a "Minimum Viable Monitoring" (MVM) framework to standardize data collection and leverage AVS heterogeneity for precision agriculture.

Objective

• To critically analyze the current literature on agrivoltaic system (AVS) microclimates, focusing on key atmospheric (air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed), radiation (Photosynthetically Active Radiation—PAR, global radiation, shading rate), and soil parameters (temperature, moisture).
• To identify key trends and research gaps, and to establish a minimum viable monitoring framework that enhances comparability among studies and facilitates the adoption of AVS in sustainable agriculture.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: This systematic review synthesizes findings from various agrivoltaic system (AVS) configurations globally. The proposed Minimum Viable Monitoring (MVM) framework recommends measurements across three distinct microclimatic zones: a Control Zone (full sun), an Inter-Row Zone (partially shaded), and an Under-Panel Zone (shaded). Air parameter measurements are recommended at multiple heights (canopy, just below PV panels, and intermediate), while soil measurements are recommended within the upper 30 cm profile layer.
• Temporal Scale: The reviewed publications span from 2011 through 2025. The proposed MVM framework advocates for high-resolution data logging at 5–10 minute intervals for radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, and surface–near-surface soil variables, and 15–30 minute intervals for deeper soil processes, to capture both rapid fluctuations and aggregated daily dynamics.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: The review itself is a systematic literature analysis. However, it notes that some primary studies used models for Net Radiation (Rn) estimation and PVsyst simulation for light transmission. Predictive crop models are also mentioned in the context of data limitations.
• Data sources: Systematic literature search using Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review focuses on sensor-based monitoring data from experimental AVS, including:
  • Soil sensors: SMT100, DS18B20, GS-3, 5TM, WATERMARK, SoilWatch 10, 5TE (for temperature, water content, electrical conductivity).
  • Air sensors: DHT22, LUTRON-LM8100, RHT20 Extech, VP-3 Decagon, SMT100, VP-4, HygroVUE 10, WatchDog 1650, HOBO External, DS18B20 (for air temperature, relative humidity).
  • Radiation sensors: LI-COR Quantum Sensor, Apogee Spectroradiometer, LI-COR Portable Photosynthesis System, SDEC JYP1000 PAR sensors, LI-COR Li-188B Quantum Radiometer, QSO-S sensor, Mini-PAM II portable chlorophyll fluorometer, albedometers (for Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), global radiation, net radiation).
  • Other: Standard thermometers, weather stations, spectrometers.
  • Advanced technologies discussed for future monitoring: Satellite remote sensing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), and Internet of Things (IoT).

Main Results

• Soil Conditions: Agrivoltaic systems (AVS) consistently reduce soil temperatures, particularly in the upper 30 cm, with reported reductions ranging from -1.03 °C to -7.05 °C under panels. They also enhance soil moisture retention, showing increases from 0.4% to 29% under panels, although some studies reported decreases due to rainfall interception.
• Air Temperature: The impact on air temperature is highly variable; while cooling (up to -8.0 °C under panels) is often observed, neutral or slight warming effects (+0.1 °C to +1.51 °C in inter-row zones) can occur due to reduced airflow and vertical thermal stratification.
• Ambient Relative Humidity: AVS generally increase ambient relative humidity (up to +14% during daytime), which contributes to decreased evapotranspiration. However, results show inconsistencies influenced by site-specific factors.
• Wind Speed: AVS act as effective windbreaks, reducing wind speed by 25% to 67% compared to open-field conditions.
• Radiation (PAR): AVS significantly reduce Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) reaching crops, with reductions ranging from 5% to 94%, depending on system design, panel technology, and environmental conditions.
• Methodological Gaps: A critical lack of standardized measurement methodologies limits data comparability across studies, particularly concerning spatial heterogeneity and temporal resolution.

Contributions

• Provides a critical and systematic review of the complex and often variable microclimatic impacts of agrivoltaic systems (AVS), challenging generalized assumptions.
• Identifies the inherent spatial and temporal heterogeneity of AVS microclimates as a key opportunity for precision agriculture and zoned management strategies.
• Proposes a "Minimum Viable Monitoring" (MVM) framework that standardizes sensor placement (control, inter-row, under-panel zones) and multi-height measurements for air parameters, aiming to improve data comparability and scientific rigor.
• Emphasizes the necessity of sub-hourly temporal resolution in monitoring to accurately capture dynamic microclimatic changes.
• Highlights critical research gaps, particularly in quantifying rainfall interception and redistribution patterns, and the need for advanced spatiotemporal analysis in AVS research.

Funding

• Secretaria de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (SECIHTI), grant number MADTEC-2025-M-73.
• Postdoctoral fellowship number 623020.
• INAOE-Energy Agency of the State of Puebla 2025 agreement.

Citation

@article{Cosme2025Deconstructing,
  author = {Cosme, Ismael and Parraguirre, Saraí Vázquez Y},
  title = {Deconstructing Agrivoltaic Microclimates: A Critical Review of Inherent Complexity and a Minimum Viable Monitoring Framework},
  journal = {Agronomy},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3390/agronomy15122829},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122829}
}