Follow India Renewable Energy News on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights

Agrivoltaics: A Game-Changer for India’s Energy and Farming Sectors

Agrivoltaics, the integration of solar power generation with agriculture, is emerging as a transformative solution for India’s energy and farming sectors. By allowing dual land use, agrivoltaics helps farmers generate electricity while continuing to grow crops, improving both land productivity and financial stability.

Key Innovations & Benefits

• Smart Solar Structures: Elevated and adjustable panels ensure crops receive adequate sunlight while reducing heat stress.
• AI & IoT Integration: Advanced monitoring systems optimize sunlight distribution, soil moisture, and energy output.
• Financial Gains: Farmers earn dual income from crop cultivation and solar power sales, supported by government incentives like PM-KUSUM Component-A.
• Climate Resilience: Reduced water loss and temperature fluctuations enhance crop yield and sustainability.

Challenges & Opportunities

• Lack of Awareness & High Initial Costs: Farmers need better access to financing and technical guidance.
• Regulatory Barriers: Inconsistent land-use policies and grid infrastructure hinder large-scale adoption.
• Crop Selection: Shade-tolerant crops like spinach, brinjal, turmeric, and pulses perform well under agrivoltaic systems.

The Road Ahead

With 15 million hectares of cultivable wasteland and India’s 500 GW renewable energy target, agrivoltaics has immense growth potential. Future expansion will be driven by government support, private-sector investment, and state-specific policies. Companies like Khare Energy are developing pilot sites and standardized models to accelerate adoption, making agrivoltaics a mainstream clean energy and farming solution in the coming decade.