• R. Alex Immanual Jeyasingh
• M. Suguna Devakumari
• R. Isaac Manuel

Abstract Agrivoltaics systems, which combine solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation with agricultural production on the same land, are emerging as a promising solution to the intertwined challenges of food, energy, and water security. This review synthesizes recent research on the impacts of agrivoltaics on soil moisture dynamics and irrigation requirements, with a focus on how microclimate modifications induced by PV structures enhance water use efficiency. Evidence indicates that agrivoltaics shading consistently lowers soil and air temperatures, reduces evapotranspiration, and increases soil moisture retention across diverse climates and cropping systems. These effects translate to significant reductions in irrigation needs-often by 20–40%-and improved water use efficiency, especially for shade-tolerant crops and in arid environments. The review also highlights the roles of panel type, installation design, crop selection, and soil texture in optimizing agrivoltaics performance. While agrivoltaics can increase late-season soil moisture by up to 29% and water use efficiency by over 300% compared to conventional systems, spatial variability in shading and soil moisture remains a design challenge. Overall, agrivoltaics offer a synergistic pathway to enhance agricultural resilience, conserve water, and support sustainable energy production, but further research is needed to refine system configurations for diverse agroecological contexts.

Agrivoltaics, soil moisture, water use efficiency, irrigation, microclimate modification, solar panels, sustainable agriculture

"Impact of Agrivoltaics irrigation and soil moisture dynamics- A review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no.b312-b324, October-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510146.pdf

"Impact of Agrivoltaics irrigation and soil moisture dynamics- A review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no. ppb312-b324, October-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510146.pdf