AGRI-PHOTOVOLTAICS

NEWS: Agri-photovoltaics can transform farms into dual-purpose powerhouses and reduce India’s land-use conflicts between solar expansion and food security.

ABOUT

• Agrivoltaicsà Land management methodà uses the same land simultaneously for solar power generation and agricultural production.
• Solar panelsàmounted on elevated, spaced structures (2–3 metres high), permitting crop cultivation underneath.

Key Advantages of Agrivoltaic Farming

• Climate ResilienceàElevated panelsàreduces heat stress, UV damage, and heavy rainfall exposure for crops.
• Water ConservationàPanel shade decreases soil moisture evaporation+ reduces irrigation needs in arid and semi-arid areas.
• Efficiency GainàVegetation beneath the panels cools solar modules+ increase electricity generation efficiency by up to 10%.
• Farmers generate additional incomeà Selling surplus electricity to DISCOMs or leasing land to solar developers.

Key Challenges in Agrivoltaics Adoption

• Capital BarrieràAgrivoltaics cost 25% to 50% more than standard solar systems, =limiting adoption among smallholders (86% of Indian farmers).
• India doesn’t have a dual-use land category, necessitating costly, time-consuming land conversions for solar projects.
• India lacks standard guidelines on panel height, row spacing, tracking systems, and crop suitability across diverse agro-climatic zones.

Key Government Initiatives

• PM-KUSUMà Government is preparing for its second phase with a 10 GW agrivoltaics component.
• India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA)à brings together stakeholders to design business models and promote policies.
• National Agriphotovoltaics MissionàAims to promote the adoption of agrivoltaics on 10–15% of India’s agricultural land by 2035.
• Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat are promoting agrivoltaics through lease income, subsidies, and feed-in tariff support, respectively.