Study highlights the potential of agri-PV systems for electricity generation in Austria

Researchers at INWE have recently published a landmark study in the journal Renewable Energy on the techno-economic potential of agrivoltaic systems in Austria — and it has caught the attention of the international pv magazine, which featured the research in a dedicated article: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/16/austria-could-harness-90-twh-of-agrivoltaics-using-5-16-of-cropland/

The study presents the first nationwide simulation approach that simultaneously models solar power generation and agricultural yields while taking climate change into account. Results show that 5–16% of Austria's cropland would be sufficient to generate 90 TWh of solar electricity per year — Austria's upper-bound PV generation required to attain climate neutrality. Agrivoltaic systems, particularly overhead stilted configurations, can keep crop production losses at the lower end of the projected 2–6% range, outperforming conventional ground-mounted PV in this regard.