Geospatial Analysis of Agrivoltaic Suitability in the Philippines

Abstract. Solar energy deployment increasingly competes with prime agricultural lands, creating conflicts between energy goals and food security. To resolve these competing demands, our study identified where agrivoltaic systems—combining solar energy and agricultural production on the same land—should be strategically deployed across the Philippines. Using geospatial analysis which integrates terrain suitability, solar photovoltaic (PV) potential, and crop compatibility with shade-tolerant crops, we identified 10.09 million has of cropland suitable for agrivoltaics, representing 81.8% of the nation's agricultural land. Regions in the Mindanao island emerged as premier agrivoltaic deployment zones, combining maximum crop compatibility (15 shade-tolerant crops), high solar PV potential (683-687 MW), and substantial suitable areas (587,000-715,000 has). These findings provide actionable recommendations for strategic agrivoltaic deployment that advances both food security and renewable energy goals in the Philippines simultaneously.