Significance of Agrivoltaics (AgriPV) for Farmers in India

What is Agrivoltaics (AgriPV) and Its Importance in India?

Agrivoltaics, also known as agrophotovoltaics (APV), involves the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar power generation. By mounting solar panels at a height that allows for crop cultivation below, this innovative approach presents a solution to India's pressing land and water resource challenges. AgriPV enables dual productivity, allowing farmers to harvest both food and clean energy from the same plot.

solar energy as the "Third Crop"

In India, farmers typically depend on two main crops: kharif (monsoon) and rabi (winter). The concept of solar energy as the "third crop" signifies an additional income stream from the same land. Even when agricultural yields are impacted by adverse weather or market conditions, solar leasing or power generation continues to provide financial stability.

Key Benefits of Agrivoltaics for Indian farmers

• Assured Income: Farmers can earn by leasing land or selling solar power.
• Reduced Risk: Diversification of income reduces reliance on seasonal yields.
• Improved Microclimate: Solar panels offer shade, lowering heat stress on crops.
• Lower Water Usage: Shaded crops experience reduced evaporation.
• Soil Protection: Minimizes soil erosion from wind and rain.
• Job Creation: Installation and maintenance of solar systems generate green jobs.

Agrivoltaics and National Goals

AgriPV aligns with several national objectives:

• Energy Security: Enhances decentralized solar energy production.
• Doubling Farmers’ Income: Provides reliable supplemental income.
• climate action: Reduces carbon footprint while promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
• SDG Commitments: Contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 2, 7, 8, and 13.

The Role of PM-KUSUM in Promoting AgriPV

The PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme is vital for scaling APV in India. It comprises three components:

• Component A: Farmers can install solar plants (up to 2 MW) on unused or cultivable land and sell electricity to DISCOMs.
• Component B: Promotes off-grid solar pumps.
• Component C: Supports solarisation of existing grid-connected pumps.

AgriPV fits seamlessly into Component A, allowing farmers to generate revenue through land leasing or independent power production.

Barriers to Adoption of Agrivoltaics

Despite its potential, several challenges hinder the adoption of AgriPV in India:

• Lack of design standards for APV structures (height, spacing, panel transparency).
• Absence of national guidelines for crop compatibility with APV.
• Inadequate financing mechanisms for small and marginal farmers.
• Insufficient research infrastructure to test APV models at scale.
• Need for integration into existing agricultural support schemes.

Suitable Crops for Growth Under Solar Panels

Crops that thrive in partial sunlight or adapt to diffused light perform best under APV. Suitable crops include:

• Leafy greens (spinach, fenugreek)
• Legumes (green gram, black gram)
• Tomatoes and chillies
• Shade-tolerant millets

The success of these crops depends on factors such as panel tilt, height (ideally 2.5–3 metres), and sunlight penetration.

Agrivoltaics as a Business Model

Farmers can:

• Lease land to solar developers for fixed rent (e.g., Rs 30,000/acre/year).
• Collaborate with cooperatives or FPOs to jointly own APV infrastructure.
• Utilize generated power for farm operations (e.g., irrigation pumps), reducing diesel/electricity costs.

Developers may sell electricity to nearby agro-processing industries or MSMEs, gaining attractive returns through decentralized energy markets.

Environmental Impact of APV Systems

Agrivoltaics brings several positive environmental outcomes:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• Enhances biodiversity by preventing monoculture.
• Promotes sustainable water usage.
• Decreases land-use conflicts by avoiding exclusive solar farms on fertile land.

Support Needed for Scaling Up Agrivoltaics

To effectively scale APV, the following institutional and scientific support is essential:

• Pilot projects led by agricultural universities and state nodal agencies.
• Research on crop productivity under various APV setups.
• Training for farmers in solar energy utilization and basic maintenance.
• Financial incentives and low-interest loans for infrastructure setup.
• Policy inclusion of APV in renewable energy and agricultural planning.

States Best Positioned for AgriPV Adoption

States with high solar radiation, land stress, and active agricultural economies are well-placed to adopt AgriPV. These include: