IGEF, NSEFI Study Shares Best Practices On Agrivoltaics Adoption In India

A recent report on ‘Best Practices on Agrivoltaics‘, particularly focusing on India, was shared by Solar Power Europe in collaboration with the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) and the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI). It emphasizes the successful adoption of Agrivoltaics in states like Mizoram, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, showcasing advancements in crop diversification, agricultural infrastructure, farm credit practices, and sustainable input usage.

The arid landscape of Rajasthan and the Indo-Gangetic Plains, along with rice-dominant regions like Jharkhand and Assam, are identified as areas facing agricultural challenges, impacting food security. However, the integration of solar energy into agricultural practices, such as through solar irrigation pumps, has proven beneficial, increasing farmer incomes and addressing water scarcity.
Agrivoltaics is presented as a solution that combines energy generation with agriculture, offering benefits like increased land productivity, climate adaptation, and economic prosperity, particularly in rural areas. The PM-KUSUM Scheme in India supports this approach by providing opportunities for farmers to adopt Agrivoltaics.

Studies show that Agrivoltaics systems can significantly improve land productivity, soil moisture retention, and economic value. Business models for Agrivoltaics range from self-consumption of electricity to selling excess power to the grid, leasing land to solar developers, or establishing Agrivoltaics power plants.

The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Agrivoltaics at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) aims to advance research and development in this field, supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum and the German Development Cooperation GIZ.

Case studies such as the SunMaster Agri-PV plant in Delhi and the SunSeed APV Agrivoltaics Plant in Maharashtra illustrate successful implementations of Agrivoltaics, showcasing increased agricultural production and sustainable energy generation.