Researchers at Pitzer College in the United States are proposing a model that combines regenerative agriculture with agrivoltaics to increase land productivity while improving solar energy performance, a concept that could have implications for Mexico’s solar-rich agricultural regions. The study outlines a framework known as regenerative agrivoltaics, which integrates soil restoration practices with photovoltaic (PV) systems installed over crops. The approach seeks to address mounting land-use pressures driven by renewable energy expansion and food security concerns linked to climate change and population growth.
“Regenerative Agrivoltaics does not necessarily require higher capital expenses than conventional agrivoltaics. In fact regenerative practices tend to substitute capital input for labor input. In regions where ambient heat reaches a point where the efficiency of the panels are affected, regenerative land management practices may actually contribute with a stronger ambient cooling than conventional practices, thus increasing the PV yield, and in turn lowering the levelized cost of energy,” said Kevin B. Grell, lead author of the study.
Regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring soil health and biodiversity through practices such as cover cropping, no-till farming, rotational grazing, agroforestry and composting. When combined with agrivoltaic systems the same land can produce food and electricity simultaneously.
Co-author Sophie Parker said regional adaptation is central to the model’s viability. “Different regions face different challenges related to the production of food and energy. Warm and dry regions face challenges related to the irrigation of crops. Rainy regions face challenges related to maximizing the efficiency of electrical production from PV sources given limited sunlight. Locations closer to the poles experience greater seasonal fluctuation in daylength, meaning that crop production is seasonally restricted, and solar panel tilt requires more seasonal adjustment. The deployment of regenerative agriculture could be used to address some of these challenges, but the details of how to modify any particular regenerative agrivoltaic site to address these challenges will be region-specific,” she explained.
The findings are relevant for markets such as Mexico, where solar irradiation averages 5.5kWh/m2 a day according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The country’s geographic position places it among the regions with high solar potential, offering conditions suitable for agrivoltaic deployment. Agrivoltaic systems arrived in Mexico in 2019, but adoption remains limited. Experts say the model could raise agricultural productivity by up to 70%, while reducing operating costs through on-site power generation.
Under the system, photovoltaic panels installed above crops can replace diesel-powered machinery and water pumps. Access to electricity allows farmers to modernize irrigation systems, install cold storage and process food on-site. “With electricity, farmers can modernize their irrigation systems, install cold storage units and process food, reducing waste and improving the quality of their products,” said Valeria Amezcua, President, Mexican Agrivoltaic Network and spokesperson for Intersolar Mexico.
Beyond cost reductions, agrivoltaics may provide additional revenue streams when surplus electricity is sold to the grid. Photovoltaic systems also require less maintenance than conventional energy sources and can support energy-intensive agricultural activities, including dairy production, poultry farming and livestock operations. Solar systems can power ventilation, heating and water systems in agricultural facilities, and enable more consistent crop drying processes.
However, structural challenges remain. According to INEGI, 58% of rural producers are over 50 years old, and only 12% of young people aged 18 to 25 work in agriculture. Industry observers warn that generational turnover is a critical constraint on the adoption of new technologies. Climate diversity across Mexico also complicates implementation. Agrivoltaic systems must be adapted to different soil types, humidity levels and crop varieties, requiring site-specific technical assessments.
For agribusiness investors and energy developers, the integration of regenerative practices with solar infrastructure may improve both crop yields and PV performance, particularly in high-temperature regions where panel efficiency declines. If cooling effects from soil restoration practices enhance energy output, as the California study suggests, the model could strengthen the business case for dual-use projects.