Current progress and prospects of agrivoltaics for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture: A global insight

Climate change, population growth, and the accelerating depletion of natural resources are placing unprecedented stress on the global food-energy-water nexus, necessitating integrated and sustainable solutions. Agrivoltaics (AV), the co-location of solar photovoltaic systems with agricultural production, has emerged as a promising dual-use land strategy to enhance resource efficiency and climate resilience. However, its widespread adoption is impeded by fragmented disciplinary approaches, regional research imbalances with over 70% of studies concentrated in temperate Global North regions, and unresolved system trade-offs. To address this issue, the current review employs a novel, integrated framework, including both quantitative bibliometric analysis and an in-depth critical synthesis of 305 peer-reviewed publications from 2020 to 2025 that disentangle the agronomic, technological, environmental, and socio-political dimensions of AV systems. The study aims to fill the knowledge gaps by mapping the evolution of AV research, quantifying crop-specific performance under diverse AV configurations, and proposing implementation frameworks aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Findings indicate that AV systems can substantially enhance land equivalent ratios by modulating the microclimate; however, crop responses differ, with shade-tolerant species showing productivity gains while photosensitive crops often exhibit yield reductions. The review also highlights inconsistencies in soil organic carbon trends under partial shading and identifies five major research clusters: (1) socio-environmental dimensions and policy perspectives, (2) agronomic optimization under solar integration, (3) system design, modeling, and technological innovation, (4) controlled environment applications and crop-specific insights, and (5) the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. Key barriers to AV adoption include high initial capital costs for elevated structures, fragmented land tenure systems, and regulatory misalignments, particularly within OECD countries. Overcoming these barriers requires innovative financing models, supportive policy frameworks, and adaptive system designs tailored to local agroecological and socioeconomic contexts. The review, therefore, recommends context-specific AV deployment pathways incorporating spectral-selective photovoltaic technologies, dynamic microclimate regulation, and inclusive policy incentives. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive assessment to guide future research, policy development, and real-world implementation for a climate-smart and resilient agricultural future.