India's Agri-Voltaics Development and Potential
This PIB backgrounder details India's innovative approach to integrating solar power generation with agricultural production through agrivoltaics systems. The technology combines crop cultivation with solar electricity generation on the same land, enabling farmers to diversify incomes while contributing to India's clean energy transition.
Agricultural Context and Energy Needs
Agriculture serves as a key source of livelihood for approximately 46.1% of India's population, with the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the Agriculture and Allied Sector estimated to reach Rs. 52.08 lakh crore in 2025-26. India's reported land area covers 306.96 million hectares, of which approximately 55% is agricultural land, with net sown area at 138.99 million hectares and gross cropped area at 217.88 million hectares according to 2023-24 Land Use Statistics.
Current Agrivoltaics Deployment
As of August 2025, India had 36 operational agrivoltaics projects with an installed capacity of 37.54 megawatts, alongside 10 pilot projects under development. These projects span diverse agroclimatic regions and include elevated structures, interspace layouts, and tracking systems.
Massive Growth Potential
India holds significant agrivoltaics potential estimated between 3,000 GW and nearly 14,000 GW. A GIS-based national screening identified 47.35 million hectares of "restricted cropland" suitable for AgriPV after applying environmental, agronomic, and technical filters. The technology can substantially increase farmer earnings, with annual profits potentially rising from around ₹60,000 per acre to over ₹1 lakh per acre.
Regional Distribution and Crop Compatibility
High-potential states include Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, which collectively account for nearly 50% of India's estimated AgriPV power generation potential. Moderate potential is observed in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Bihar, and West Bengal. Fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants offer promising options for cultivation alongside solar installations.
Government Initiatives and Funding
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme, launched in February 2019, encourages solar energy adoption in agriculture and envisages central financial assistance of approximately ₹34,422 crore. The National Institute of Solar Energy, in collaboration with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, has established a Centre of Excellence on Agrivoltaics with a 100-kilowatt pilot system.
State-Level Programs
Several states have implemented specific schemes: Maharashtra's Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 drives solar power generation through 16,000 MW of solar projects across approximately 35,000 acres; Gujarat's Kisan Suryoday Yojana provides daytime power supply for agricultural activities with a planned supply window of up to 16 hours daily; Karnataka's Surya Raitha Scheme advances solar-powered irrigation pumps and allows farmers to earn from surplus electricity.
Institutional Support
The India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA), anchored by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), is a multi-stakeholder platform with over 40 members working with government ministries and industry stakeholders to advance agrivoltaics through policy advocacy and research. The 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference, held in New Delhi on 21–23 October 2026 under the theme "Powering the Global South," serves as a global platform to advance solar energy and agriculture integration.