India’s agricultural sector is the backbone of its economy, while renewable energy is the future of sustainable growth. But what if both could work together on the same land? Enter agrivoltaics—a revolutionary system that integrates solar panels with farming practices, allowing farmers to grow crops and generate electricity simultaneously.
In regions like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, where land availability and rising energy demand often clash, agrivoltaics offers a practical solution. Globally, countries like Japan, Germany, and the USA are already leveraging this technology.
This article explores everything you need to know about agrivoltaics in 2025—its benefits, challenges, global case studies, Indian government policies, costs, technologies, and future potential.
What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics (also called Agrovoltaics or Agrophotovoltaics) is the practice of co-locating solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and agricultural crops on the same piece of land.
Instead of using land exclusively for solar farms (which reduces available farmland), agrivoltaics allows:
- Farmers to continue cultivating crops underneath or between solar panels.
- Energy companies to generate clean electricity.
- Communities to benefit from increased food and energy security.
👉 In short, agrivoltaics is a win-win for food, energy, and farmers’ income.
How Agrivoltaics Works
Agrivoltaics requires smart design to ensure both crops and panels function optimally.
1. Elevated Solar Panel Structures
- Panels are installed 2–5 meters above the ground to allow sunlight, air, and farming equipment access.
- This setup provides partial shading, which protects crops from excessive heat.
2. Optimized Panel Tilt and Spacing
- Panels are arranged at specific angles to balance electricity generation with crop light requirements.
3. Dual-Axis Tracking Systems
- Some advanced agrivoltaic systems use solar trackers that move with the sun, giving crops varying sunlight during the day.
4. Water Synergy
- Rainwater collected from solar panels can be directed to irrigation systems.
Benefits of Agrivoltaics
🌱 For Farmers
- Extra income: Farmers can lease land to solar developers or sell generated electricity.
- Climate resilience: Partial shading reduces crop stress during heatwaves.
- Water savings: Shaded soil retains more moisture, reducing irrigation needs.
☀️ For Energy Sector
- Efficient land use: Overcomes the food-vs-energy land conflict.
- Distributed power: Solar power near farms reduces transmission losses.
- Grid stability: Balances seasonal demand with agricultural cycles.
🌍 For the Environment
- Reduced carbon emissions: Clean energy + sustainable farming.
- Biodiversity support: Shaded areas can support pollinators and soil health.
- Heat island mitigation: Solar arrays can lower ground temperature.
Challenges of Agrivoltaics
Despite its promise, agrivoltaics faces hurdles:
- High Initial Investment – Elevated structures and special mounting systems cost more.
- Crop Selection – Not all crops grow well under partial shade (e.g., rice needs full sunlight).
- Maintenance – Farmers must learn to manage both crops and solar equipment.
- Policy Barriers – In India, land-use regulations for dual-purpose farming + solar are still evolving.
Best Crops for Agrivoltaics
Crops that thrive under partial shading are most suitable:
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, spinach, lettuce.
- Fruits: Berries, grapes.
- Cash Crops: Saffron, medicinal herbs.
- Forage Crops: Alfalfa, clover (good for livestock).
👉 Crops like wheat and rice, which require full sun, are less suitable unless spacing is wider.
Agrivoltaics in India
India has immense potential for agrivoltaics because:
- 60% of the population depends on farming.
- Rising solar capacity: India aims for 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
- Land scarcity: Especially in states like Punjab, where fertile land cannot be diverted entirely to solar parks.
Current Initiatives in India
- KUSUM Scheme (Component A & C): Provides farmers with subsidies for solar pumps and small solar plants on agricultural land.
- Pilot Projects:
- Maharashtra: Grapes and turmeric grown under elevated solar panels.
- Gujarat: Solar pumps with vegetable cultivation.
- Rajasthan: Bikaner farmers testing solar-crop models.
Global Examples of Agrivoltaics
- Japan (since 2004): Over 2,000 agrivoltaic farms producing rice, tea, and mushrooms under solar panels.
- Germany (Fraunhofer ISE): Pilot project showed 186% higher land productivity using agrivoltaics.
- USA (Arizona): Shaded chili peppers and jalapeños had higher yields and required less water.
- France: Vitisolar project uses agrivoltaics for vineyards.
Agrivoltaic Technology Trends in 2025
- Bifacial Solar Panels: Capture sunlight from both sides, maximizing yield.
- Smart Solar Tracking: AI-controlled tilt for balancing light and power.
- Floating Agrivoltaics: Solar panels above fish farms (aquavoltaics).
- Agro-PV Greenhouses: Transparent solar roofs for greenhouses.
Cost of Agrivoltaics in India (2025 Estimates)
- Standard solar rooftop: ₹40–50 per watt.
- Agrivoltaics with elevated structures: ₹55–70 per watt.
- 5-acre agrivoltaic farm: Approx. ₹4–6 crore (including civil, electrical, and crop integration costs).
👉 Though initial costs are higher, farmers earn dual income:
- From crop sales.
- From solar power (₹3.5–4.5/unit in PPA rates).
Future of Agrivoltaics in India
- With government support and falling solar costs, agrivoltaics could help India achieve food security + energy security together.
- The technology aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for clean energy, climate action, and zero hunger.
By 2030, agrivoltaics could cover 5–10% of India’s solar capacity, transforming rural livelihoods.
FAQs on Agrivoltaics
Q1. What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is the practice of combining solar panels and agriculture on the same land to produce both food and electricity.
Q2. How does agrivoltaics help farmers in India?
Farmers gain dual income from crops and solar energy, plus reduced crop losses from extreme heat.
Q3. Which crops are best for agrivoltaics?
Shade-tolerant crops like spinach, tomatoes, berries, and medicinal herbs thrive best.
Q4. Is agrivoltaics costly in India?
Yes, it costs more than traditional solar, but government subsidies and dual revenue streams make it profitable long-term.
Q5. Which states in India are best for agrivoltaics?
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab have pilot projects and favorable conditions.
Q6. Do solar panels reduce crop yield?
No, studies show partial shading can increase yield for some crops by reducing heat stress.
Q7. Can agrivoltaics be applied in small farms?
Yes, even 1–2 acre farms can integrate small solar systems under schemes like KUSUM.
Conclusion
Agrivoltaics is more than a trend—it’s the future of sustainable farming and clean energy in India. For farmers struggling with low crop prices, water stress, and rising electricity bills, agrivoltaics offers a path to dual income, energy independence, and climate resilience.
As India moves toward its 2030 renewable energy targets, agrivoltaics could transform agriculture into a food-energy powerhouse, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the planet.
👉 If you’re a farmer, policymaker, or solar developer, now is the time to explore agrivoltaics—because the future of farming is solar-powered.
