The role of institutions for multi-system interaction: Insights from the case of agrivoltaics in Germany

In this contribution, we explore the dynamics of emerging agrivoltaics systems in Germany. Agrivoltaics combine solar energy panels and agricultural production on a single plot and are commonly promoted as a win-win solution which addresses energy needs and upholds food security whilst being land-efficient. Existing work tends to treat agrivoltaics from a purely empirical or techno-economic perspective which gives limited recognition to its origin from two pre-existing socio-technical systems which come with established structures. Instead, we characterise it as a new, combined system, emerging from the combination of the pre-existing solar energy and agriculture systems. We therefore adopt a multi-system interaction (MSI) perspective and focus on the institutional dimension since we find the institutionalisation process highly relevant for enabling the integration of the systems. We adopt Scott’s (2009) institutional pillars (the normative, the cultural-cognitive, and the regulative pillar) and suggest that their interaction affects the process of institutionalisation of combined systems. The empirical analysis of agrivoltaics in Germany highlights the important role of a shared understanding of the combined system (cultural-cognitive pillar). Motivations and values, in combination with normative framings about agrivoltaics (normative pillar) impact the decision-making of stakeholders regarding investments but also regarding their engagement in the definition of shared rules (regulative pillar). These dynamics shape the process of institutionalisation guiding the development prospects of agrivoltaics.