A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems
This paper suggests a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for agrivoltaic systems - systems that integrate photovoltaic energy and agricultural production. Agrivoltaics proposes a solution that provides additional land for meeting renewable energy goals while supporting agricultural...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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TIB Open Publishing
2025-08-01
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| Series: | AgriVoltaics Conference Proceedings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tib-op.org/ojs/index.php/agripv/article/view/1396 |
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| author | Katelyn Whiting Steven Conrad Thomas Bradley Tim Coburn |
| author_facet | Katelyn Whiting Steven Conrad Thomas Bradley Tim Coburn |
| author_sort | Katelyn Whiting |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This paper suggests a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for agrivoltaic systems - systems that integrate photovoltaic energy and agricultural production. Agrivoltaics proposes a solution that provides additional land for meeting renewable energy goals while supporting agricultural production and water and land use efficiency. This study contributes to the assessment of the dynamic life cycle improvements associated with agrivoltaics installations through applying the framework to a case study at Jack's Solar Garden in Boulder, Colorado. We utilize the ReCIPe midpoint hierarchist method and leverage data from existing OpenLCA databases to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of co-located crop production and solar energy generation. The results highlight the potential for reduced land and water use, underscoring agrivoltaics' role in managing land conflicts and water scarce environments. However, challenges such as increased material demands, limited open-source data, and the need for tailored configurations remain. Our framework aims to guide researchers, producers, and policymakers in making informed decisions on the adoption of agrivoltaics.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1d7a5511ef7c4e5793556a4eddc1ab31 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2751-6172 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | TIB Open Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AgriVoltaics Conference Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj-art-1d7a5511ef7c4e5793556a4eddc1ab312025-08-20T03:59:36ZengTIB Open PublishingAgriVoltaics Conference Proceedings2751-61722025-08-01310.52825/agripv.v3i.1396A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic SystemsKatelyn Whiting0Steven Conrad1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2577-2926Thomas Bradley2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3533-293XTim Coburn3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7309-0962Colorado State UniversityColorado State University Colorado State University Colorado State University This paper suggests a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for agrivoltaic systems - systems that integrate photovoltaic energy and agricultural production. Agrivoltaics proposes a solution that provides additional land for meeting renewable energy goals while supporting agricultural production and water and land use efficiency. This study contributes to the assessment of the dynamic life cycle improvements associated with agrivoltaics installations through applying the framework to a case study at Jack's Solar Garden in Boulder, Colorado. We utilize the ReCIPe midpoint hierarchist method and leverage data from existing OpenLCA databases to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of co-located crop production and solar energy generation. The results highlight the potential for reduced land and water use, underscoring agrivoltaics' role in managing land conflicts and water scarce environments. However, challenges such as increased material demands, limited open-source data, and the need for tailored configurations remain. Our framework aims to guide researchers, producers, and policymakers in making informed decisions on the adoption of agrivoltaics. https://www.tib-op.org/ojs/index.php/agripv/article/view/1396AgrivoltaicsLife Cycle AssessmentFood-Energy-Water NexusMultiple Land Use |
| spellingShingle | Katelyn Whiting Steven Conrad Thomas Bradley Tim Coburn A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems AgriVoltaics Conference Proceedings Agrivoltaics Life Cycle Assessment Food-Energy-Water Nexus Multiple Land Use |
| title | A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems |
| title_full | A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems |
| title_fullStr | A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems |
| title_short | A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Agrivoltaic Systems |
| title_sort | comprehensive life cycle assessment framework for agrivoltaic systems |
| topic | Agrivoltaics Life Cycle Assessment Food-Energy-Water Nexus Multiple Land Use |
| url | https://www.tib-op.org/ojs/index.php/agripv/article/view/1396 |
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