Common Agrivoltaics Terms: System Design

July 1, 2026

By Daphne Condon, Ph.D.

Agrivoltaics systems can look very different from one site to another. Some systems elevate panels above crops, while others place panels between crop rows or along field edges. These design choices can affect how much sunlight reaches the crops or how farming equipment moves throughout the space.

Here, we introduce some common terms related to agrivoltaics system designs and orientations, building on our previous post focused on common agrivoltaics terms related to light, climate, and water.

Azimuth

Azimuth refers to the compass direction that solar panels face. In the Northern Hemisphere, many solar arrays face south to capture more sunlight over the course of the day. In the Southern Hemisphere, many arrays face north.

Azimuth matters in agrivoltaics because panel direction affects when and where shade falls across the cropping area. Agrivoltaics panels are generally tilted 10°- 30°, which is a bit shallower than most conventional solar arrays, so that more light reaches the crops.

Tilt Angle

Tilt angle describes how steeply a solar panel is angled relative to the ground. A higher tilt angle can change how much sunlight panels capture and where shadows fall during the day.

In agrivoltaics, tilt angle affects both electricity production and light availability for crops.

Row Orientation

Row orientation refers to how rows of panels are arranged across a field. Two common orientations are east-west and north-south.

Row orientation affects how shade moves through the field. It can influence whether crops receive more morning light, afternoon light, or alternating periods of sun and shade.

Fixed-Tilt

Fixed-tilt systems use panels that remain in one position throughout the day. These systems are relatively simple and common in conventional photovoltaic solar development as well as agrivoltaics systems.

Single-Axis Tracking

Single-axis tracking systems rotate panels along one axis during the day, usually following the sun from east to west. Tracking can increase electricity production compared with fixed-tilt systems.

In agrivoltaics, tracking can also adjust shading patterns. This may help manage crop light exposure, heat, or water stress depending on the crop and site.

Dual-Axis Tracking

Dual-axis tracking systems move panels in two directions, allowing them to follow the sun more precisely throughout the day and across seasons. These systems can increase energy production, but they are more complex and expensive than fixed-tilt or single-axis tracking systems.

For agrivoltaics, dual-axis tracking may offer more control over how much sunlight reaches the cropping area at different times of day.

This short video explains a bit more about how single- and dual-axis tracking systems work.

Vertical Bifacial Panels

Vertical bifacial panels stand upright and capture sunlight on both sides of the panel.

Because they are vertical, these systems often allow more sunlight to reach the ground between panel rows. This may be useful for some shade-sensitive crops or grazing systems. 

Additionally, these panels capture morning sun on one side and late afternoon side on the other, which means their peak solar energy production hours vary from tilted panels which produce most of their solar energy mid-day. This off-set can be useful in aligning electricity supply and demand and addressing the “duck curve.”

Semi-transparent Panels

Semi-transparent panels allow some sunlight to pass through the panel surface.

These panels may help balance electricity generation with crop light needs. The amount and quality of light that passes through can vary by panel type, so crop selection and system design matter.

Spectral-selective Panels

Spectral-selective panels are designed to let certain wavelengths of light pass through while capturing others for electricity production.

This matters because plants and solar panels use sunlight differently. Plants rely on specific wavelengths for photosynthesis, while  solar panels convert light into electricity. Spectral-selective designs aim to divide sunlight more intentionally between crops and energy production.

Panel Height

Panel height describes how far panels are elevated above the ground.

Higher panels can make it easier for people, equipment, livestock, or crops to fit underneath the system. However, increasing panel height can also increase construction complexity and cost.

Row Spacing

Row spacing refers to the distance between rows of panels.

Wider spacing can allow more sunlight to reach crops and improve access for farm equipment. Narrower spacing may produce more electricity per acre, but it can also increase shading.

Panel Spacing

Panel spacing refers to the gaps between panels within the same row or structure. These gaps can allow more sunlight to filter through the array, creating less continuous shade for crops below or between panels.

Cropping Zone

The cropping zone is the area within an agrivoltaics system where crops are planted and managed. This zone may be directly under panels, between panel rows, or around the edges of the system.

Defining the cropping zone helps clarify where agricultural production is expected to occur within the solar array.

Future posts will continue this series by introducing terms related to evaluating the economic feasibility of an agrivoltaics system. If you have specific questions or a topic that you would like to learn more about, let us know!

Daphne Condon, Ph.D., is an energy systems researcher whose work focuses on renewable energy planning, land use, and the social and ecological dimensions of clean energy development. She serves as Secretary on the HARVEST California Board and contributes expertise in solar development, agrivoltaics, and place-based approaches to aligning renewable energy with agricultural and community priorities.