Agrivoltaics: Can India put solar panels on farms without hurting crop yields?

The government plans to introduce agrivoltaics (Agri-PV) under the second phase of PM-KUSUM.The approach seeks to address the shortage of land for solar projects while allowing cultivation to continue beneath elevated solar panels.

What is Agrivoltaics?

• Agrivoltaics involves installing solar panels on elevated structures over agricultural land.
• Farmers can continue cultivation beneath the panels while simultaneously generating electricity.
• It enables dual use of land — agriculture + solar power generation.

Potential in India

• Around 30% of India’s 160 million hectares of cropland could potentially be suitable for agrivoltaic projects.
• The estimated technical potential is around 1–2 terawatts (1,000–2,000 GW).
• It can reduce pressure on non-agricultural land while supporting renewable-energy expansion.

How is it Different from Conventional Solar?

• Panels are generally installed at a height of around 3.5–4 metres to allow:
  • farming activities,
  • movement of machinery,
  • routine agricultural operations.
• Additional structural requirements make Agri-PV projects around 25–30% more expensive than conventional ground-mounted solar projects.

Which Crops are Suitable?

• Agrivoltaics has shown better suitability for fruits and leafy vegetables.
• It may be less suitable for crops such as rice and sugarcane.
• Crop suitability depends on factors such as shade tolerance, water needs and local agro-climatic conditions.

Benefits

• Dual land use: Agriculture and electricity generation on the same land.
• Additional farmer income: Farmers can earn from electricity generation while continuing cultivation.
• Renewable-energy expansion: Helps address land constraints for large solar projects.
• Reduced land conflict: Limits diversion of agricultural or other land exclusively for solar installations.

Key Concerns

• Poorly designed projects may affect crop yields, soil health and farmers’ livelihoods.
• Farmers may risk losing effective control over agricultural land if commercial arrangements are poorly structured.
• Since over 85% of Indian farmers are small and marginal, with an average holding of about 0.96 hectare, projects must be designed to benefit smallholders.
• Pilot projects need careful assessment before large-scale expansion.

Agrivoltaics can help India combine solar-energy expansion with continued agriculture, but its success will depnd on crop suitability, farmer protection, project design and economic viability.