Why in the News
The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference was held in New Delhi on 21-23 October 2026 on the theme "Powering the Global South"; on this occasion, the PIB published a feature on 23 October on the status and potential of agrivoltaics in India.
What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics (agrisolar or dual-use solar) is a system in which crops and solar-energy production take place on the same land - panels are mounted on elevated structures so that light and rain reach below and machines can operate; partial shade keeps soil moisture retained and the farmer gets additional income from electricity.
Key Figures (PIB Feature)
- By August 2025, India had 36 operational agrivoltaics projects (total 37.54 MW); 10 pilot projects are under development.
- Estimated potential between 3,000 and about 14,000 gigawatts; in a GIS-based national assessment, 47.35 million hectares of "constrained agricultural land" was found suitable.
- Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh together make up about 50% of the estimated potential.
- In some cases, annual income per acre can rise from about Rs 60,000 to more than Rs 1 lakh.
- Agriculture context: in 2023-24, the reported area was 306.96 million hectares, net sown area 138.99 million hectares, gross cropped area 217.88 million hectares; the GVA of agriculture and allied sectors in 2025-26 is estimated at Rs 52.08 lakh crore; the population dependent on agriculture is about 46.1%.
Government Initiatives and State Schemes
- PM-KUSUM (since February 2019; about Rs 34,422 crore of central financial assistance provided for).
- A joint Agrivoltaics Centre of Excellence of the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and IARI (a 100-kilowatt pilot at IARI).
- The India Agrivoltaics Alliance, established in 2023 (operated by NSEFI, 40+ members).
- States: Maharashtra's Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0 (target of 16,000 MW on 35,000 acres), Gujarat's Kisan Suryodaya Yojana (up to 16 hours of electricity in the day), Karnataka's Surya Raitha scheme (solar pumps + surplus electricity income).
Context and Detailed Explanation
The core logic of agrivoltaics is land-use efficiency: both crops and electricity from the same field. Panels are on elevated structures so that light and rain reach below and machines can operate; partial shade keeps soil moisture retained and the farmer gets an additional source of electricity income - in some cases annual income per acre can rise from about Rs 60,000 to more than Rs 1 lakh. This is why the estimated potential is enormous: 3,000 to about 14,000 gigawatts, and the GIS assessment found 47.35 million hectares of land suitable.
Keep the current status separate from the potential: by August 2025 there were only 36 operational projects (total 37.54 MW) and 10 pilots under development - that is, deployment is still at an early stage. Six states - Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh - together make up about 50% of the estimated potential.
Remember the institutional map: PM-KUSUM (since February 2019; about Rs 34,422 crore of central assistance provided for), the joint NISE-IARI Centre of Excellence (100-kilowatt pilot) and the India Agrivoltaics Alliance established in 2023 (NSEFI-operated, 40+ members). Match the state schemes carefully: Maharashtra - Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini 2.0 (35,000 acres, 16,000 MW target), Gujarat - Kisan Suryodaya (up to 16 hours of electricity in the day), Karnataka - Surya Raitha (solar pumps + surplus electricity income).
From the Examination Point of View
Concept-definition, PM-KUSUM, NISE/IARI, state-scheme matching, potential figures (Prelims); GS-III energy-agriculture coordination and land-use efficiency (Mains).
Sources and Limitations
- PIB feature, 23 October 2026 (read; all figures): https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2327125
- Limitations: the potential estimate (3,000-14,000 gigawatts) is an assessment with a wide range, not a target.
Download This Article: PDF