RSE has published an innovative LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) study in the Journal of Cleaner Production, titled “Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of an Overhead Agrivoltaic System: Environmental Impacts and Methodological Insights”. The paper, authored by Maria Anna Cusenza, Andrea Danelli, Sofia Spagnolo, and Pierpaolo Girardi of the Department of Sustainable Development and Energy Sources, presents an analysis of an agrivoltaic system representative of the Italian context in the Journal of Cleaner Production, helping to pave the way for robust environmental assessments of a rapidly expanding technology.

Aligned with European decarbonization policies, the research addresses a strategic need for Italy: integrating new photovoltaic capacity while reducing land‑use conflicts. Through an ISO 14040‑compliant life cycle assessment, the study analyses an agrivoltaic plant primarily designed for electricity generation, providing a quantitative framework to inform industrial and regulatory decision‑making.

The results show a marked reduction in land‑use impacts and an increase in land productivity, alongside a very limited contribution to climate change that is comparable to conventional photovoltaic systems, key evidence supporting agrivoltaics as a credible option for accelerating the national energy transition.

The study also offers important methodological insights for the proper environmental assessment of agrivoltaic systems (functional unit selection, inventory data, and management of multifunctionality), strengthening result comparability and practical relevance. In doing so, LCA emerges as an essential tool to support energy and spatial planning in Italy, the definition of sustainability criteria, and the adoption of truly effective agrivoltaic solutions.

Click here to view the paper.