India is officially launching a massive agrivoltaics initiative to scale up solar energy generation directly on agricultural land while maintaining crop cultivation. Officially detailed at the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference in New Delhi, the government plans to transition the PM-KUSUM scheme into PM-KUSUM 2.0, introducing a dedicated 10-Gigawatt (GW) agri-PV framework. The primary objective is to optimize land productivity and significantly boost rural revenues by allowing farmers to generate clean solar energy and grow food simultaneously on the same plot.

India is officially launching a massive agrivoltaics initiative to scale up solar energy generation directly on agricultural land while maintaining crop cultivation. Officially detailed at the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference in New Delhi, the government plans to transition the PM-KUSUM scheme into PM-KUSUM 2.0, introducing a dedicated 10-Gigawatt (GW) agri-PV framework. 
The primary objective is to optimize land productivity and significantly boost rural revenues by allowing farmers to generate clean solar energy and grow food simultaneously on the same plot. 
Scale and Technical Potential
Target Capacity: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is initially targeting 5 GW of capacity over the next few years to gauge state adoption, structured under an expected 10-GW dedicated component. 
Available Cropland: -
Approximately 47.5 million hectares nearly 30% of India’s 160 million hectares of cropland—is technically viable for dual-use agrivoltaics. 
Key States: -
India is officially launching a massive agrivoltaics initiative to scale up solar energy generation directly on agricultural land while maintaining crop cultivation. Officially detailed at the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference in New Delhi, the government plans to transition the PM-KUSUM scheme into PM-KUSUM 2.0, introducing a dedicated 10-Gigawatt (GW) agri-PV framework. 
The primary objective is to optimize land productivity and significantly boost rural revenues by allowing farmers to generate clean solar energy and grow food simultaneously on the same plot. 
Scale and Technical Potential
Target Capacity: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is initially targeting 5 GW of capacity over the next few years to gauge state adoption, structured under an expected 10-GW dedicated component. 
Available Cropland: -
Approximately 47.5 million hectares nearly 30% of India’s 160 million hectares of cropland—is technically viable for dual-use agrivoltaics. 
Key States: -
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh hold 50% of the country’s agrivoltaic potential. 
Macro Capacity: -
While India’s installed solar capacity currently sits at 171 GW, the overall potential for agri-photovoltaics nationwide is estimated at a staggering 1 to 2 terawatts (TW). 
Design & Implementation Strategy
Because small and marginal farmers make up 85% of India's farming community, conventional ground-mounted installations that halt farming are impractical. 
PM-KUSUM 2.0 pivots around the realities of small landholdings.
Elevated Infrastructure: -
Solar panels will be mounted on stilts at heights of 3.5 to 4 meters. This height allows farmers to operate routine agricultural machinery and ensures proper crop cultivation cycles underneath. 
Increased Yields: -
Early field studies show that the partial shade and micrometeorology created by localized solar systems can actually increase crop yields by 10% to 20%. 
Community Model: -
The framework intends to directly involve Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and train rural youth and women to run and maintain local equipment, curbing urban migration. 
 Economic Challenges & Incentives
Higher Structural Costs: -
Elevating panels on civil infrastructure makes agrivoltaic projects 25% to 30% more expensive than standard ground-mounted solar setups. 
Tariff Difference: -
Generating power via agrivoltaics is estimated to cost ₹3.20 to ₹3.30 per unit, compared to Rs 2.50 to Rs 2.60 per unit for conventional grid solar.
Financial Backing: -
The MNRE is actively negotiating a central sector scheme with the Ministry of Finance to provide targeted financial incentives and subsidies to states to bridge this cost gap and make dual-land projects for commercially viable.
 Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh hold 50% of the country’s agrivoltaic potential. 
Macro Capacity: -
While India’s installed solar capacity currently sits at 171 GW, the overall potential for agri-photovoltaics nationwide is estimated at a staggering 1 to 2 terawatts (TW). 
Design & Implementation Strategy
Because small and marginal farmers make up 85% of India's farming community, conventional ground-mounted installations that halt farming are impractical. 
PM-KUSUM 2.0 pivots around the realities of small landholdings.
Elevated Infrastructure: -
Solar panels will be mounted on stilts at heights of 3.5 to 4 meters. This height allows farmers to operate routine agricultural machinery and ensures proper crop cultivation cycles underneath. 
Increased Yields: -
Early field studies show that the partial shade and micrometeorology created by localized solar systems can actually increase crop yields by 10% to 20%. 
Community Model: -
The framework intends to directly involve Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and train rural youth and women to run and maintain local equipment, curbing urban migration. 
 Economic Challenges & Incentives
Higher Structural Costs: -
Elevating panels on civil infrastructure makes agrivoltaic projects 25% to 30% more expensive than standard ground-mounted solar setups. 
Tariff Difference: -
Generating power via agrivoltaics is estimated to cost ₹3.20 to ₹3.30 per unit, compared to Rs 2.50 to Rs 2.60 per unit for conventional grid solar.
Financial Backing: -
The MNRE is actively negotiating a central sector scheme with the Ministry of Finance to provide targeted financial incentives and subsidies to states to bridge this cost gap and make dual-land projects for commercially viable.

MJF Ln ER YK Sharma 

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