Agrivoltaic Systems as Socio-Ecological Infrastructure for Mitigating Abiotic Stress Under Climate Change

Photovoltaic systems are usually considered technologies used exclusively for energy production. However, when examined more comprehensively, they may also provide environmental and agronomic benefits under specific system designs and crop–climate conditions. In agrivoltaic systems, the same area of land is used simultaneously for agricultural production and solar energy generation, creating opportunities for more efficient and sustainable resource use. Photovoltaic installations can alter the microclimate around crops and reduce key abiotic stress factors, such as heat stress and water loss, which often contribute to declines in crop yields. Thus, they may contribute to improved production stability and more efficient use of natural resources under certain conditions. Agrivoltaics can also be considered through a social ecology framework for adapting to new weather conditions. Its social dimension lies in the way agrivoltaic systems reshape land-use governance, influence farmer adoption and stakeholder participation, and affect how economic and environmental benefits are distributed within rural communities. This review goes beyond conventional assessments focused mainly on land-use efficiency by integrating microclimatic, agronomic, and socio-economic dimensions of agrivoltaic systems. It also identifies key research gaps, particularly regarding long-term and multi-site evidence, crop-specific system design, landscape-scale impacts, and socio-economic resilience. Overall, agrivoltaics can constitute a socio-ecological infrastructure that contributes to the mitigation of abiotic stress and the adaptation of agriculture to climate change.