What is agrivoltaics: The future of farming and solar

As the demand for solar energy in agriculture grows, so does the need to balance land use between renewable energy and agriculture. Agrivoltaic solutions offers a promising solution by enabling both to coexist on the same land, providing numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. Here are some of the key advantages of agrivoltaics and agrovoltaic farming systems:
 

• Maximizes land productivity Farmers can increase land-use efficiency by up to 186% by using agrivoltaics to generate renewable energy while carrying on with their agricultural operations. By reducing conflicts between farming and energy development, this dual use helps achieve solar capacity targets without compromising priceless farmland.
• Improves crop resilience and yields Partial shade from solar panels keeps soil moisture levels stable, lowers water evaporation, and moderates temperature extremes. According to research from Arizona and Kenya, this microclimate promotes the growth of some crops, particularly in hot or arid areas, resulting in increase in yields and less need for irrigation.
• Diversifies income for farmers Farmers generate extra income by combining crop or livestock production with solar for agriculture. They can lower electricity costs, supply clean energy to farm operations, and occasionally resell excess power to the grid, boosting the stability of farm income. Solar for agriculture thus works on multiple levels of sustainability.
• Enhances ecosystem services and biodiversity By preserving native vegetation and establishing habitats for pollinators like bees, agrivoltaics sites can enhance the health of ecosystems. By controlling stormwater runoff and reducing the need for herbicides, these green areas lessen their negative effects on the environment and maintenance expenses.
• Provides grazing opportunities Sheep and chickens are examples of livestock that can graze beneath solar agriculture panels, naturally controlling vegetation while enjoying the shade and protection they provide. This promotes animal welfare and lowers maintenance.
• Improves working conditions for farm laborers By providing shade, solar agriculture installations improve comfort and safety for farm workers spending extended periods of time outside by shielding them from intense heat and damaging UV rays.
• Helps combat climate change Agrivoltaics in India helps achieve regional and national objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience in agriculture by producing clean, renewable energy and lowering dependency on fossil fuels.
• Reduces water consumption In regions that are prone to drought, the shade from agrivoltaics farming reduces the amount of water lost by transpiration and evaporation from plants and soil, thereby promoting more sustainable farming practices     .

Overall, agrivoltaics is a futuristic approach that transforms how we use land, supporting food production, clean energy, and ecosystem health simultaneously while strengthening rural economies.

Agrivoltaics is all about making the most out of the same piece of land by combining farming and solar power. Imagine rows of solar panels for agriculture installed above crops or grazing animals. These panels capture sunlight to produce electricity, while the space beneath is still used to grow plants or raise livestock.

Here’s how it works in practice:
 

• Elevated solar panels: Instead of placing solar panels directly on the ground, they are mounted on structures high enough to let sunlight and rain reach the crops below. These elevated solar panels for agriculture also allow farmers to move their equipment underneath without any trouble.
• Partial shading: The panels provide shade, which helps protect crops from extreme heat and reduces water evaporation from the soil. This creates a cooler, more stable environment for plants to grow, especially in hot or dry regions.
• Dual use of land: With solar panels generating electricity and crops or animals thriving below, farmers get two benefits from the same land, food and clean energy.
• Electricity for the farm and beyond: The solar energy produced on an agrivoltaic farm can power farm operations, reducing electricity costs. If there’s extra power, it can be fed back into the grid, providing additional income.

By balancing the needs of both agriculture and energy production, agrivoltaics turns farmland into a multitasking space that supports sustainable farming and clean power generation at the same time.

By using the same land for both farming and solar power generation, agrivoltaics farms help meet energy needs while supporting food production and rural livelihoods.

Agrivoltaics has the following applications:
 

1. Solar panels above crops
The most common agrivoltaics application involves installing solar panels above crop fields. This setup provides partial shade to crops, which can improve water retention and reduce heat stress, especially beneficial for dry farming, where irrigation is limited. By integrating solar panel for agriculture systems, farmers can grow crops and generate electricity simultaneously, making land use more efficient.

2. Photovoltaic greenhouses
Another exciting use of agrivoltaics is photovoltaic greenhouses, where solar panels are placed on the greenhouse roof or exterior. These panels act as a canopy, regulating the temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse, which reduces energy consumption for climate control. The electricity produced powers greenhouse operations, cutting costs and boosting sustainability.

3. Grazing and livestock farming
Agrivoltaics isn’t limited to crops. Solar installations can be designed over grazing land, allowing livestock such as sheep or goats to shelter under panels. This dual use of land supports animal welfare by providing shade and reduces vegetation maintenance costs.

4. Powering agricultural operations
The solar energy for agriculture can be used directly on farms for powering irrigation pumps, lighting, fencing, and other equipment vital to farming operations. Using solar for agriculture reduces dependency on fossil fuels and cuts energy costs, helping farmers save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

5. Water extraction and irrigation
In many rural areas, access to water is a major challenge. Agrivoltaic solar power can run pumps that extract water from wells, enabling more efficient irrigation systems and supporting crop growth in arid regions. This coupling of solar energy with water management is a game-changer for sustainable farming.

6. Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services
Some agrivoltaic farms incorporate pollinator-friendly habitats under and around solar panels, enhancing biodiversity and promoting ecosystem health. This approach benefits crops that rely on pollination and supports environmental sustainability.

Because of the different applications of agrivoltaics systems, they can be categorized into 5 major types. Read on to know how.

Agrivoltaics in India presents a convincing answer to the twin problems of energy production and land scarcity as the nation works toward its ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Integrating solar infrastructure into farmland could help meet energy targets without displacing food production, as 60% of India's land is under cultivation.
The MNRE estimates that an extra 630 GWp of solar power could be produced by putting solar panels on just 1% of India's agricultural land. However, progress has been slow; there are currently 20 agrivoltaic farm projects, primarily in Gujarat. These include government-backed pilot programs, R&D systems, and a few business endeavors for agrivoltaics farming.

Innovation on the ground

Basic ground-mounted panels have been replaced by more sophisticated installations in recent years. Elevated panels and more space between PV rows enable better sunlight, the use of farm equipment, and higher crop yields in locations like Parbhani, Maharashtra, and Ujwa, Delhi. By establishing new microclimates, these designs facilitate the transition to high-value or climate-resilient crops.

Expanding applications

Additionally, agrivoltaics is being investigated for irrigation and fish farming. Solar panels are particularly helpful in drought-prone areas because they lower water evaporation and improve water quality. Experiments have demonstrated that yields can rise dramatically in aquaculture and crop environments. Another new opportunity that improves animal welfare and land use efficiency is livestock grazing under panels.

Policy and institutional support for agrivoltaic farming

Government schemes like PM-KUSUM and the National Solar Mission have supported early adoption. But scaling agrivoltaics requires more targeted policies, including:
 

• Clear guidelines for land use and crop yield targets
• Financial incentives for both farmers and developers
• Standardisation of agrivoltaic design tailored to Indian conditions
• Legal recognition of agrivoltaics in land conversion laws

Collaborations with countries like Germany, and the creation of Centres of Excellence for training and R&D, have also been recommended.

Looking ahead

Although agrivoltaics is still in its infancy in India, there is a compelling argument for scale due to the combination of policy momentum, technical experimentation, and climate urgency. To boost confidence and uptake, experts recommend a national target of 15 GW over the next ten years, beginning with modest annual goals.
According to preliminary data, well-designed systems have the potential to increase crop yields by as much as 30%, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Agrivoltaics could be a an important resource in India's battle against rural distress and climate change with the correct policies and collaborations, especially involving marginal farmers and farmer producer organizations (FPOs).

National schemes promote agrivoltaics by supporting solar adoption in agriculture and enabling stakeholder collaboration. They aim to boost clean energy while enhancing farm incomes:

1. India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA)

Established by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), the IAA aims to harmonize agriculture and solar energy. It brings together stakeholders like government bodies, solar developers, farmers, and financial institutions to promote agrivoltaics. The alliance focuses on developing business models, studying socio-economic impacts, and advocating for inclusive policies to accelerate agrivoltaic adoption across India. 

2. PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan)

Launched in 2019, PM-KUSUM supports farmers in installing solar-powered pumps and grid-connected solar power plants. The scheme comprises three components:

• Component A: Setting up solar power plants of 500 kW to 2 MW capacity.
• Component B: Installing standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps up to 7.5 HP in off-grid areas.
• Component C: Solarizing existing grid-connected agriculture pumps. The scheme provides capital subsidies and facilitates bank financing to make solar energy accessible to farmers.

States are launching tailored agrivoltaic programs offering financial incentives and technical support. These aim to localize solutions and encourage dual land use:

1. Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) – Maharashtra

Maharashtra aims to solarize 1,600 MW of agricultural feeders by 2026 under MSKVY. The state has already installed 500,000 solar pumps, surpassing the rest of India combined. The scheme offers a fixed tariff of ₹3.10 per kWh for solar power projects, with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL) facilitating implementation.

2. Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY) – Gujarat

SKY provides farmers with subsidies and loans to install solar panels on their fields. Farmers can sell surplus electricity to the grid, earning additional income. The scheme offers a feed-in tariff of ₹7 per unit for the first 7 years and ₹3.50 per unit for the next 18 years. The government covers 60% of the installation cost, with the remaining 40% financed through loans.

3. Surya Raitha Scheme – Karnataka

This scheme focuses on solarizing agricultural pumps to reduce farmers' dependency on grid electricity and diesel. It offers financial assistance for installing solar pump sets and encourages farmers to sell excess power back to the grid, providing an additional income stream. The initiative aims to promote renewable energy use in agriculture and enhance sustainability.

4. Mukhyamantri Kisan Aay Badhotri Solar Yojana – Delhi

Under this scheme, farmers lease their land to developers who install solar panels, generating electricity. Farmers receive a fixed monthly income, starting at ₹8,333 per acre, with a 6% annual increase. This initiative provides farmers with an additional revenue source while promoting solar energy adoption.