Renewable energy is the key to phasing out fossil fuels, and most current technologies are now cost-competitive with conventional energy sources. However, solar, wind, hydro, and biomass all require significantly more land area than combustion- or nuclear-based systems. Achieving a zero-carbon energy system by mid-century demands not only technological progress but also a rethinking of how societies use land.

In densely populated regions like Europe, the dual use of land and existing infrastructure is becoming essential. Suitable “unused” areas for large-scale solar or wind installations are increasingly scarce or already allocated for agriculture.

For solar photovoltaics in particular, the focus must shift from purely improving device physics and materials to integrating PV technologies into the human environment and existing energy systems. This means making solar part of the everyday landscape-through Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Agrivoltaics, and the incorporation of PV into infrastructure and vehicles-without compromising the core functions of these environments.

Such integration requires a broad range of expertise, going well beyond technology alone. It calls for collaboration across disciplines-architecture, urban planning, agriculture, engineering, policy, and more.