Agri-Photovoltaics | 25 Mar 2026

Source: TH 

Why in News?

The Union Budget 2026–27 nearly doubled the allocation for the PM-KUSUM scheme to Rs 5,000 crore, highlighting a renewed push for farmer-centric solarisation. In this context, Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV) is gaining attention as a solution to balance energy expansion and food security in India.

What is Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV)? 

• About: Agri-photovoltaics (AgriPV), or Agrivoltaics, is the simultaneous and dual use of a single parcel of land for both solar photovoltaic power generation and agricultural crop cultivation. 
• Mechanism: Instead of clearing agricultural land to build traditional solar parks, solar panels are integrated into the farming environment.  
  • They are either elevated above the crops or spaced strategically between them.  
  • It creates a mutually beneficial microclimate. The solar panels provide partial shade, protecting crops from extreme heat and reducing water loss.  
    • In return, the natural process of plant transpiration (releasing moisture) cools the solar panels from below, which can actually increase their photovoltaic efficiency. 
• Types of AgriPV Systems: The design of an AgriPV system depends heavily on the local climate, the type of crop, and irrigation practices: 
  • Elevated Systems: Panels are mounted on tall structures to allow crops to grow directly underneath and to permit heavy farm machinery (like tractors) to operate freely. 
  • Row-Based Systems: Panels are positioned in rows with wide spaces between them.  
    • Sun-loving crops are planted in the gaps, while shade-tolerant crops can be planted directly under the panels. 
  • Vertical Systems: Panels are mounted upright (like fences) and use bifacial technology to capture sunlight from both sides. 
  • Greenhouse-Integrated Systems: Solar panels are incorporated directly into the roofs or walls of controlled-environment greenhouses. 
• Crops Suitable for AgriPV: Crop selection is crucial in AgriPV systems as shade-tolerant crops grow well under panels, while sunlight-demanding crops perform better between panel rows.  
  • Suitable crops vary by region, such as tomato, onion, turmeric, tulsi in Madhya Pradesh and ragi, jowar, grapes, banana, brinjal in Karnataka and Maharashtra, requiring region-specific planning based on climate and irrigation. 
• Benefits of AgriPV: 
  • Income Diversification: Farmers gain a reliable, secondary revenue stream. They save money by replacing diesel pumps with solar power and can sell surplus electricity back to the grid (DISCOMs). 
  • Water Conservation: The shade from the panels significantly reduces evapotranspiration (water lost from soil and plants).  
    • This allows the soil to retain moisture longer, vastly improving water-use efficiency, especially in arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat. 
  • Weather Shielding: Panels act as a physical barrier, protecting delicate crops from extreme heatwaves, heavy downpours, and hail. 
  • Strengthening Rural Value Chains: The decentralized power generated can be used to run local ancillary services, such as cold storage units, chaff cutters, and micro-food processing plants. 
• Business Models: AgriPV can operate through multiple models, including farmer ownership (self-use and selling surplus power) and cooperative/Farmers Producer Organisation -based aggregation for larger, finance-friendly projects. 
  • It also includes private leasing or revenue-sharing with developers and public sector-led development to support rural energy needs. 
• Current Status in India: As of 2026, there are around 50 pilot AgriPV installations across the country (such as those by ICAR-CAZRI in Jodhpur), evaluating different crop-panel combinations. Large-scale commercial replication has yet to begin. 
  • Government consultations suggest integrating AgriPV into a proposed 'National Agri-photovoltaics Mission' under PM-KUSUM 2.0, potentially as a dedicated 10-GW component. 
• Importance for India: 
  • The "Food vs. Fuel" Dilemma: India has ambitious energy targets, achieving 300 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030 and Net-Zero emissions by 2070.  
    • Utility-scale solar projects require vast tracts of land. With over 50% of India's land dedicated to agriculture, AgriPV prevents the dangerous trade-off between clean energy generation and national food security. 
  • Agrarian Economy: With a massive rural population dependent on farming, AgriPV provides a pathway to modernize agriculture, making farms self-sufficient in energy while contributing to the national grid. 
  • Alignment with National Missions: It directly complements the PM-KUSUM scheme, which aims to solarize Indian agriculture, decarbonize the farm sector, and double farmers' incomes. 

What are the Barriers to Adoption of Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV)? 

• High Capital Costs: The specialized mounting systems and elevated structural steel required for AgriPV make initial investments significantly higher than conventional ground-mounted solar farms. 
• Yield Risks: Poorly designed systems with incorrect panel-crop combinations can lead to reduced agricultural yields. 
• Regulatory Bottlenecks: There is a lack of clear regulatory frameworks regarding land classification, grid connectivity, and tariffs for dual-use lands. 
• Ownership Uncertainties: Disputes may arise between farmers and developers over long-term land rights and revenue-sharing agreements. 
• Data Scarcity: With only around 50 pilot installations currently active nationwide, there is a lack of large-scale, empirical data across India's diverse agro-climatic zones. 
• Maintenance Issues: Cleaning the solar panels requires water. If not managed properly, the runoff (which might contain dust or cleaning agents) could affect soil health or over-water the crops below. 

What Measures  can Drive Large-Scale Adoption of Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV)? 

• Targeted R&D and Mapping: Institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) must collaborate to identify the best crop-panel combinations suited for India's diverse agro-climatic zones. 
• Financial Innovation: The government needs to introduce specific subsidies, viability gap funding (VGF), and soft loans tailored for AgriPV projects to offset the high structural costs. 
• Standardized Policy Framework: A dedicated national policy on Agrivoltaics is required to define technical standards (panel height, spacing) and grid-connectivity norms specifically for dual-use agricultural lands. 
• Capacity Building: Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) should be utilized to train farmers on managing dual-purpose lands, including modern drip irrigation and modified farming techniques suited for shaded environments. 
• State-Level Facilitation: State governments must step in to identify suitable AgriPV clusters, streamline approval processes, and establish clear design benchmarks. 

Conclusion 

AgriPV offers a sustainable pathway to align India’s energy transition with agricultural productivity. With proper policy support and innovation, it can transform farms into energy-agriculture hubs, boosting farmer incomes while addressing climate and land challenges.