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Cited by 54Photovoltaic Systems and SustainabilityWater-Energy-Food Nexus StudiesSolar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

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Harvesting the sun twice: Energy, food and water benefits from agrivoltaics in East Africa

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Randle-Boggis, R.J., Barron-Gafford, G.A., Kimaro, A.A., Lamanna, C., Macharia, C., Maro, J., Mbele, A., Hartley, S.E.·2025·Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
DOI 10.1016/j.rser.2024.115066
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Abstract

Food, energy and water insecurity are concomitant challenges facing many communities in East Africa. Agrivoltaic systems – agriculture integrated with photovoltaic panels – address all three challenges, providing low carbon electricity, food production and water conservation on the same land area. Agrivoltaics have proven benefits for the food-energy-water nexus in the USA, Europe and Asia, but research is lacking in sub-Saharan Africa, where energy access remains low, and climate change and water scarcity threaten food systems. This study presents evidence for concomitant electricity generation, food production and water conservation from agrivoltaic systems in Tanzania and Kenya, demonstrating the viability of these systems for both grid-tied agribusinesses and rural, off-grid communities. Performance of some crops improved under agrivoltaics, generating higher incomes for farmers and agribusinesses while reducing energy bills and/or enhancing energy supply. Crop survivability during a warm period was greater under the agrivoltaic system, indicating potential for climate change resilience. Panel shading reduced irrigation demand, thus some crops achieved greater yields while needing less water input. Rainwater harvesting from panel runoff further reduced irrigation needs. Combining energy infrastructure with agriculture enhanced land productivity for all crops at both sites. Agrivoltaics, whether grid-tied or off-grid, could address multiple Sustainable Development Goals in East Africa simultaneously by contributing to energy security, climate change-resilient food production, and water conservation in the region. • Agrivoltaics can generate electricity, improve crop yields, and reduce water loss. • Agrivoltaics can support off-grid electrification in rural East Africa. • Some crop yields and sale values are higher with agrivoltaic systems. • Some crops produce greater yields with less water input. • Land productivity is improved with simultaneous electricity and food production.

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Metadata

Authors
Randle-Boggis, R. J., Barron-Gafford, G. A., Kimaro, A. A., Lamanna, C., Macharia, C., Maro, J., Mbele, A., & Hartley, S. E.
Affiliations
  • World Agroforestry Centre (KE)
  • University of Sheffield (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-02
Volume
208
Pages
115066
ISSN
1364-0321 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.rser.2024.115066
OpenAlex
W4403973825
Cited by
54
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 27
FWCI
6.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Water-Energy-Food Nexus Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems
Keywords
agrivoltaics, water-energy-food nexus, off-grid electrification, photovoltaic modules, crop yield, water conservation, irrigation water demand, rainwater harvesting, climate resilience, energy security, Sustainable Development Goals, East Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, low-carbon electricity

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