India's efforts to expand renewable energy are increasingly intersecting with agriculture, as policymakers and researchers explore ways to generate electricity without removing farmland from cultivation.
Agrivoltaics, also known as agricultural photovoltaics or AgriPV, involves installing solar panels above or alongside cultivated land so that agricultural production and electricity generation can take place within the same area.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Dual land use: Agrivoltaics combines crop cultivation with solar electricity generation.
Farmer income: Eligible projects may create additional revenue from electricity while maintaining agricultural production.
Policy direction: A dedicated agrivoltaics component has been announced as part of the planned next phase of PM-KUSUM.
International conference: The 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference is taking place in New Delhi from October 21 to 23, 2026.
Implementation challenges: Crop selection, installation costs, access to finance and protection of farmers' land rights will influence adoption.
The concept is attracting attention because India must address two important priorities simultaneously: supporting farmers' livelihoods and expanding clean energy capacity. Conventional ground-mounted solar installations can compete with other land uses, whereas carefully designed agrivoltaic systems aim to make productive use of the same land for both purposes.
How agrivoltaics works
In a typical agrivoltaic installation, solar panels are mounted at an elevated height or arranged to allow sufficient space for agricultural activities beneath and between them. The design must account for sunlight, rainfall, irrigation, machinery access and the specific needs of the crops being cultivated.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Agrivoltaics matters because agricultural land is expected to support food production while renewable energy demand continues to grow. For farmers, the model could provide another source of income and help reduce some energy expenses. For the energy sector, it offers a potential way to expand solar generation while making productive use of land that remains under cultivation. The approach may also support rural employment in installation, electrical maintenance, monitoring and agricultural research. However, the economic benefits will vary considerably. A project that works for one crop or climate may not work for another. Financial assistance, fair electricity-purchase arrangements and transparent contracts will be important if small and marginal farmers are to participate meaningfully. The long-term test will be whether agrivoltaics improves farmers' livelihoods while maintaining agricultural productivity and delivering dependable clean electricity.
Some crops may tolerate partial shade better than others. In suitable conditions, solar panels can reduce direct sunlight and evaporation, potentially helping with water management. But excessive shading can also reduce crop yields, making careful design and agricultural research essential.
The system's success therefore depends on selecting appropriate crops, maintaining adequate sunlight and ensuring that farming remains economically viable alongside electricity generation.
Government looks towards the next phase of PM-KUSUM
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has identified agrivoltaics as a potential part of India's decentralised renewable energy strategy.
In September 2026, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said the next phase of the PM-KUSUM scheme would include a dedicated component for agrivoltaics. The proposed approach is intended to help farmers continue cultivation while earning income from electricity generation.
The stated focus includes small and marginal farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and panchayats. The minister also emphasised that land ownership should remain with farmers.
The details of implementation, including financial support and project-level arrangements, will be important in determining how widely farmers can adopt the technology.
Potential benefits for farmers
Agrivoltaics may create more than one revenue stream from the same land. Farmers could continue earning from crops while receiving income from electricity supplied to the grid under suitable arrangements.
Solar installations may also support irrigation systems and reduce dependence on diesel pumps. Depending on the project design and local conditions, shade could help manage heat stress and water loss for certain crops.
The potential benefits are not automatic. Farmers need clear contracts, fair payment arrangements, reliable electricity connections and technical support. They must also understand who will pay for maintenance and who bears the financial risk if crop production falls below expectations.
A growing international discussion
The 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference is scheduled in New Delhi from October 21 to 23, 2026, bringing together participants from research, agriculture, renewable energy and policy communities.
The conference provides a forum to examine how agrivoltaic systems can be designed, financed and adapted to different farming conditions. It also creates opportunities to share research on crop productivity, land-use efficiency and farmer participation.
India's large agricultural sector and growing energy demand make the subject particularly relevant. Nevertheless, pilot projects and local evidence will be necessary to establish which models work best for different regions and crops.
Balancing food production and clean energy
The central challenge is to ensure that renewable energy development complements agriculture rather than displacing it.
Agrivoltaic systems need to be evaluated using both agricultural and energy indicators. Electricity output alone cannot determine success if crop yields decline substantially or farmers lose control over their land.
Transparent agreements, independent performance monitoring and access to technical advice can help farmers make informed decisions. Properly implemented, agrivoltaics could become one option for improving land-use efficiency while supporting rural incomes and clean energy generation.
