Agri-Photovoltaics: Powering Farms, Solving Food‑Fuel Dilemma

Budget allocation (2026‑27): PM‑KUSUM scheme funded at Rs 5,000 crore, nearly double the previous year.
Solar target: India aims for 300 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030.
Current AgriPV pilots: ~50 pilot projects across the country (e.g., ICAR‑CAZRI, Jodhpur).
Proposed mission: National Agri‑Photovoltaics Mission under PM‑KUSUM 2.0 with a 10 GW dedicated component.

Agri‑Photovoltaics (AgriPV), also called Agrivoltaics, integrates solar PV panels with crop cultivation on the same land parcel.
Traditional utility‑scale solar farms require large land tracts, often converting agricultural land and intensifying the food‑vs‑fuel conflict.
India’s agrarian economy (≈ 60 % of workforce) and limited arable land make dual‑use technologies crucial.

Elevated systems: Panels on tall structures; crops grow underneath; allows tractor movement.
Row‑based systems: Panels in spaced rows; sun‑loving crops between rows, shade‑tolerant crops under panels.
Vertical (fence) systems: Bifacial panels mounted upright; captures sunlight from both sides.
Greenhouse‑integrated systems: Panels form part of greenhouse roofs/walls.

Income diversification: Farmers earn from electricity sales and reduce diesel pump costs.
Water conservation: Shade reduces evapotranspiration, improving water‑use efficiency, vital for arid zones like Rajasthan & Gujarat.
Micro‑climate moderation: Panels shield crops from extreme heat, hail, and heavy rain.
Rural value‑chain strengthening: Solar‑powered cold storage, chaff cutters, and micro‑processing units become feasible.
Alignment with national missions: Complements PM‑KUSUM, Net‑Zero 2070, and Doubling Farmers’ Income goals.

High capital cost of specialized mounting structures.
Yield risk if crop‑panel combinations are unsuitable.
Regulatory gaps: No clear land‑use classification, grid‑connectivity norms, or tariff mechanisms for dual‑use land.
Ownership & revenue‑sharing disputes between farmers and developers.
Data scarcity: Limited large‑scale performance data across diverse agro‑climatic zones.
Maintenance challenges: Panel cleaning may affect soil health.

PM‑KUSUM (Scheme for Solarisation of Agriculture): Provides subsidies for solar pumps, rooftop solar, and solarisation of farms.
National Solar Mission (2010‑2022) & its extension: Sets targets and incentives for solar capacity.
Potential AgriPV policy: A dedicated National Agri‑Photovoltaics Mission could define technical standards (panel height, spacing), land‑use rules, and tariff structures under the Electricity Act, 2003 and Renewable Energy Act, 2022.
State‑level facilitation: States can issue clearances, identify clusters, and provide VGF/soft‑loan schemes.

Targeted R&D & agro‑climatic mapping – ICAR, NISE, and state agricultural universities to identify optimal crop‑panel combos.
Financial innovation – VGF, concessional loans, and subsidy caps for structural costs.
Standardised policy framework – National guidelines on land classification, grid‑connectivity, and revenue sharing.
Capacity building – Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to train farmers on shaded‑crop management and solar‑system operation.
State‑level clusters – Identify pilot clusters, streamline approvals, and create model projects.

Demonstrates integrated planning across Energy, Agriculture, and Rural Development ministries.
Offers a low‑carbon pathway for the farm sector, contributing to India’s NDCs under the Paris Agreement.
Enhances energy security in remote villages while safeguarding food security.
Provides a template for public‑private partnership models in renewable‑energy‑agriculture integration.

“Agri‑Photovoltaics offers a solution to the ‘food vs fuel’ dilemma in India. Critically examine.”

What is Agri‑Photovoltaics? Dual use of land for solar power generation and crop cultivation.
Which scheme supports farm solarisation? PM‑KUSUM.
Key benefit for farmers? Income diversification through electricity sales while continuing farming.
Major challenges? High capital cost, regulatory gaps, yield uncertainty, and limited data.

Prepared by Drishti IAS – UPSC‑focused analysis