Agrivoltaics: Food, Energy, and Water Solutions
Goals
Within this VIP, we will be tackling real and important challenges to build towards more sustainable food, energy, and water futures. Each of these food, energy, and water systems are extremely sensitive to a warming climate, and projections of more erratic precipitation will only add to these pressures. We are building the interdisciplinary field of agrivoltaics—the concept of colocating agriculture and photovoltaics (renewable energy from solar panels) as one potential solution.
Issues Involved or Addressed
Students will conduct research to address one or more of the following interrelated questions, including:
- How does atmospheric warming impact changes to food crop performance, and how can agrivoltaics relieve some of this stress?
- How much water savings can we achieve in an agrivoltaics approach without negatively impacting food production?
- Which crops are most suited for this approach?
- How does this approach boost the soil microbiome and the missions of sustainable agriculture?
- How much do these trends and patterns vary among crop species and geography (where does agrivoltaics work best / least well)?
- How can we design better solar arrays to balance light capture for energy production vs. light transmission to plants for food production?
- What do decision makers (farmers, politicians, energy producers, etc.) see as challenges and opportunities for agrivoltaics?
This project involves working together to bring together fresh ideas, knowledge, and ways of thinking to solve some of the biggest challenges of our generation!
Methods and Tech
All students will be trained in any methods required for participation in the Agrivoltaics VIP, which may include:
- Field measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration in plants
- Measures of plant water stress
- Installation of sensors and instrumentation
- Measures of crop production in the field
- Statistical data analysis and visualization
- Science communication to kids and adults and through social media
- Data curation and archiving
- Scientific programming (R, Python, etc.)
Academic Majors of Interest
Open to all majors, with particular interest in the sciences and mathematics, including:
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment
- Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
- Geography
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Biosystems & Systems Engineering
- Sustainable Built Environments
- Sciences: Physics, Atmospheric, Hydrology, Soil, Geo, Microbial
- Technology
- Math
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Environmental Economics
- Health Sciences
- iSchool
Preferred Interests and Preparation
- Self-motivated
- Comfortable with uncertainty
- Work well independently and in teams
- Passion and dedication
- Creativity, collaboration, and leadership skills
- Organization and attention to detail
Application Process
To express interest in this team, please complete the VIP Interest Form and select "Agrivoltaics: Food, Energy, and Water Solutions"
Team Advisor
A new interdisciplinary project at the University of Arizona, led by Dr. Greg Barron-Gafford, invites students to explore agrivoltaics—an innovative solution that combines agriculture with solar energy production. The initiative is part of a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) tackling the global challenges of food, energy, and water security under a changing climate. As climate change intensifies and precipitation patterns grow increasingly unpredictable, agrivoltaics offers a promising path toward sustainable systems.
Students from diverse academic backgrounds will work together to investigate key questions such as how agrivoltaics can improve crop performance under rising temperatures, conserve water, and enhance soil health. Research will also explore which crops are best suited for this method, how geographic location affects outcomes, and how solar array designs can balance light for both energy and agriculture. The project also examines the perspectives of stakeholders like farmers and policymakers.
Participants will be trained in a variety of techniques, including field measurements, sensor installation, scientific programming, data visualization, and science communication. Open to students from all majors especially those in sciences, engineering, and environmental studies—the project seeks individuals who are motivated, adaptable, and passionate about sustainable innovation. Interested students can apply by filling out the VIP Interest Form and selecting the agrivoltaics team.