A threshold-based spatial framework for evaluating energy and crop-light trade-offs in agrivoltaic systems

Agrivoltaic systems are increasingly considered a viable strategy to reconcile photovoltaic electricity generation with agricultural production and reduce land-use conflict. Their design requires a quantitative understanding of how layout affects both energy yield and crop-relevant light availability. This study develops a spatially explicit framework linking agrivoltaic geometry to crop suitability through Daily Light Integral (DLI) mapping and threshold-based crop suitability classification. Four system layouts fixed south-oriented, fixed east–west (tent-roof), single-axis tracking, and single-axis tracking with backtracking, were evaluated within a standardized one-hectare reference area using identical photovoltaic components and representative meteorological conditions for western Hungary. Photovoltaic energy production was simulated using the System Advisor Model (SAM), and ground-level irradiance with a dedicated two-dimensional view-factor model of the periodic row geometry . Irradiance was converted into DLI values for the March–September and May–August growing periods. Spatially interpolated DLI distributions were used to determine the fraction of land exceeding crop-relevant light thresholds and to assess configuration-specific energy–light relationships. The results reveal fundamentally different light environments among system designs. Single-axis tracking systems produced an almost uniform light distribution across row pitch, therefore crop sustainability switches at threshold-specific critical ground covering ratios. The fixed layouts showed presistent spatial gradients whose positions depend on the mounting height. The proposed DLI-based framework provides a scalable methodology for evaluating agrivoltaic performance and supports geometry-driven optimization of crop–energy co-production.