Agrivoltaics Explained: Can Indian Farmers Grow Crops and
India is exploring ways to expand renewable energy without putting additional pressure on agricultural land. One approach attracting attention is agrivoltaics, which combines agricultural production and solar electricity generation on the same piece of land.
The subject is particularly relevant this week as New Delhi hosts the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference from 21 to 23 October 2026. The conference has brought together policymakers, researchers and industry representatives to discuss how solar technology can work alongside farming.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have highlighted the need for models suited to India’s diverse crops, climatic conditions and small and marginal farmers.
The central question is straightforward: can a farmer continue growing crops while also earning from solar power?
Agrivoltaics offers one possible answer—but its success depends on choosing the right crops, designing suitable solar installations and ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of the benefits.
What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics, also known as agri-photovoltaics or AgriPV, refers to the combined use of land for agriculture and solar photovoltaic electricity generation.
Instead of using a field exclusively for solar panels, an agrivoltaic system is designed to allow agricultural activities to continue beneath or between the panels.
Depending on the design, farmers may grow suitable crops, maintain orchards, manage livestock or undertake other agricultural activities while solar panels generate electricity.Homepage
For example, panels can be installed at a height that allows farm machinery to move beneath them. In other designs, rows of panels are spaced to provide enough sunlight for crops growing between them.
The objective is not to replace farming with solar power. It is to make productive use of the same land for both food and energy.
How can agrivoltaics benefit Indian farmers?
1. An additional source of income
Farmers may earn from electricity generated by their solar installations, depending on the ownership, financing and power-purchase arrangements.
Some models allow farmers to own the system, while others involve developers or farmer collectives. The financial outcome depends on installation costs, electricity tariffs, maintenance expenses and the agreement between the parties.
For farmers facing uncertain agricultural returns, a well-designed project could provide an additional source of income.
2. Better use of agricultural land
Land is under pressure from food production, infrastructure, urbanisation and renewable energy development.
Agrivoltaics aims to combine two productive activities rather than automatically treating them as competing land uses. This can be particularly valuable where suitable land is limited.
However, the benefits depend on the amount of sunlight reaching crops and whether agricultural productivity is maintained.
3. Potential benefits for water management
Solar panels can provide partial shade and alter the microclimate beneath them. Under suitable conditions, this may reduce soil evaporation and help certain crops cope with heat stress.
The results are not uniform. Excessive shading can reduce crop growth, while poorly designed installations may complicate irrigation and field operations.
Agrivoltaics therefore requires crop-specific research rather than a single design applied everywhere.
4. Local jobs and rural enterprises
Agrivoltaic projects can create work in system installation, electrical maintenance, crop management and project development.
Local businesses may also benefit when solar electricity supports irrigation, cold storage, food processing and other rural activities.
Training will be essential so that farmers and rural workers can participate in these opportunities instead of remaining only land providers.
Why is agrivoltaics relevant to India?
India needs to pursue food security and clean energy together. Solar power can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, while agriculture remains essential for livelihoods, food supplies and rural economic activity.
Agrivoltaics could help connect these priorities in several ways.
First, it can support renewable energy expansion while allowing agricultural activity to continue on suitable land.
Second, it may diversify farm income through electricity generation, provided projects are financially viable and farmers retain meaningful control over their land.
Third, it can support climate adaptation where appropriately designed systems reduce heat exposure or water stress for suitable crops.
Fourth, it creates opportunities for research and innovation in solar-panel design, crop selection, irrigation and rural business models.
The potential is significant, but agrivoltaics should be seen as a complementary approach—not a replacement for conventional farming or a universal solution for every agricultural region.
Government policy link: PM-KUSUM
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is an important policy link for understanding solar energy in agriculture.
The scheme supports decentralised solar power generation, standalone solar agricultural pumps and the solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps, subject to its applicable components and guidelines.
At the AgriVoltaics World Conference in October 2026, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy highlighted plans for the next phase of PM-KUSUM to expand the role of agrivoltaics.
This policy direction is important because scaling up such projects requires more than solar panels. It needs workable financing, technical standards, suitable electricity procurement arrangements and coordination between agricultural and energy departments.
A key consideration is whether small and marginal farmers can participate on fair terms. Projects should not leave farmers with disproportionate financial risk or reduce their control over agricultural land.
UPSC takeaway: Understand PM-KUSUM as a renewable-energy initiative linked to agriculture, but distinguish its existing components from proposals and announcements concerning future expansion.
What are the main challenges?
Agrivoltaics is promising, but several practical questions must be resolved before it can be expanded widely.
Crop selection
Different crops respond differently to shade. Some may tolerate partial shading, while others require strong sunlight throughout the growing season.
Research is needed to identify appropriate crop-panel combinations for India’s different agro-climatic zones.
High initial costs
Solar installations, elevated mounting structures, electrical connections and maintenance can require substantial investment.
Access to affordable finance and reliable revenue arrangements will influence whether smaller farmers can participate.
Land ownership and farmer rights
Projects must protect farmers’ rights and ensure that agreements are transparent. Farmers should understand who owns the equipment, who receives electricity revenue and who bears the cost of repairs.
Agricultural productivity
A project should not be considered successful simply because it generates electricity. Crop yields, soil conditions, water use and farm income must also be assessed.Pumped Storage Hydropower: Can Water Batteries Solve India’s Renewable Energy Storage Challenge?
Grid connectivity
The economic value of electricity depends partly on access to the grid, local demand and arrangements for selling or using the power.
Regional differences
India’s agricultural conditions vary widely. A design suitable for one region may not work in another because of differences in rainfall, temperature, crops, landholding patterns and farming practices.
These challenges make field trials, local research and farmer participation essential.
What should India do next?
India’s approach should begin with evidence and the needs of farmers.
Research institutions can identify suitable crops and solar-panel configurations for different agro-climatic zones. Pilot projects should measure both electricity generation and agricultural performance over multiple seasons.
Governments can support access to finance, training and technical advice. Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and self-help groups may help smaller farmers pool resources and negotiate better terms.
Project evaluations should also consider the distribution of benefits: who owns the system, who receives the income and whether the arrangement improves farmers’ long-term livelihoods.
The goal should be to develop agrivoltaic models that are productive, affordable and suited to local conditions.
Why is this topic important for UPSC?
Prelims: Solar photovoltaic technology, renewable energy, PM-KUSUM, sustainable agriculture and basic concepts of land-use efficiency.
GS Paper III: Agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure, energy, environmental sustainability, climate change and rural development.
Essay: Food security versus energy security, sustainable development, climate-resilient agriculture and technology-led rural transformation.
Interview: Whether solar energy projects can improve farmers’ incomes without compromising agricultural production or land rights.
Prelims Practice Question
Consider the following statements about agrivoltaics:
- It combines agricultural activity with solar photovoltaic electricity generation on the same land.
- It necessarily requires farmers to stop cultivating crops and use the land exclusively for solar power.
- Crop selection and solar-panel design can influence agricultural productivity under an agrivoltaic system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Agrivoltaics combines farming with solar electricity generation. Its results depend on factors such as crop suitability, shading, panel height and local climatic conditions. It does not inherently require farming to stop.
Mains Practice Question
“Agrivoltaics can help India pursue food security and renewable energy generation together, but its success depends on farmer-centric implementation.” Discuss. (150 words)
Model Answer
Agrivoltaics combines agricultural production with solar electricity generation on the same land. It offers India an opportunity to expand renewable energy while retaining agricultural activity.
Potential benefits include supplementary income for farmers, more efficient land use, rural employment and possible reductions in heat and water stress for suitable crops. The approach can also support decentralised clean energy and rural enterprises.
However, outcomes depend on crop suitability, solar-panel design, initial investment, grid connectivity and access to reliable electricity tariffs. Excessive shading may reduce yields, while poorly structured contracts could leave farmers with financial risks or weaken their control over land.
India should promote region-specific research, transparent agreements, affordable finance and farmer training. Pilot projects must evaluate both electricity generation and agricultural productivity over multiple seasons. Farmer collectives can also improve access to technology and bargaining power.
Agrivoltaics should complement—not replace—conventional agriculture. A farmer-centric approach can help India advance energy security while protecting livelihoods and food production.
Conclusion
Agrivoltaics offers an opportunity to rethink how India uses land for agriculture and renewable energy. Its real promise lies in allowing farmers to remain food producers while potentially becoming electricity producers as well.
But the model will succeed only if it works in the field: crops must remain productive, projects must be financially viable and farmers must receive a fair share of the benefits.
For India, the priority should be clear—build evidence-based, region-specific systems that support both clean energy and sustainable rural livelihoods.
Official sources and further reading
- Press Information Bureau, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: India hosts Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- PM-KUSUM: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026: Official conference website
Editorial note: Policy announcements and proposed future scheme changes should be distinguished from formally notified guidelines. Readers should consult the relevant ministry documents for the latest eligibility and implementation rules.
