India to host conference on combining farming and solar power
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India will host the seventh AgriVoltaics World Conference in New Delhi from October 21 to 23, focusing on expanding solar energy generation alongside agricultural production.
Union Ministers Joshi and Chouhan explain that agrivoltaics, or AgriPV, offers farmers a way to earn revenue from clean electricity while continuing to farm their land.
The Indian government is building on existing programs like PM-KUSUM to support this integration, aiming to reach the country’s many small and marginal farmers who make up 86 percent of the agricultural base. Agrivoltaics can help farmers manage risks from weather, input costs, and market prices by providing an additional income stream and potentially lowering energy expenses. Successful implementation requires careful planning, including selecting shade-tolerant crops and maintaining adequate irrigation and nutrient levels.
India’s research institutions, such as ICAR’s Central Arid Zone Research Institute in Jodhpur and BAIF’s Rural Innovation Centre in Pune, are already testing agrivoltaic configurations. The government plans to establish a Centre of Excellence on Agri-Photovoltaics in New Delhi in 2025, jointly led by ICAR and the National Institute of Solar Energy. This center will generate data to inform best practices for crop suitability and solar panel integration.
India also intends to share its agrivoltaic experience with other countries in the Global South through partnerships like the International Solar Alliance, emphasizing affordable solutions tailored to local conditions.
