Agrivoltaics to Give Farmers Dual Income From Crops and Solar Power

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi has said that the next phase of the PM-KUSUM scheme will include a dedicated component for agrivoltaics, allowing farmers to continue cultivation while earning from solar power generation on the same land.

Speaking at the curtain-raiser event for the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Joshi said the initiative will prioritise small and marginal farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and panchayats, while ensuring land ownership stays with the farmer.

Joshi said a farmer could earn from three streams on the same acre — crop sales, power sold to discoms, and savings on diesel. For small farmers, he said, solar income acts as security, offering regular earnings in both good and bad agricultural years.

He noted that India has about 18% of the world's population but only 2.4% of its land, with over 85% of farmers being small and marginal, cultivating less than two hectares. Agrivoltaics, he said, removes the need to choose between food and energy — crops can grow below while panels generate power above.

Highlighting progress, Joshi said around 29 lakh pumps have been solarised under PM-KUSUM. Last year, decentralised solar contributed 16.3 GW, including 7.6 GW from PM-KUSUM and 8.7 GW from rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which has reached about 5.6 million beneficiaries.

He also stressed the need for research on crop-specific and region-specific agrivoltaic configurations, citing BAIF's Rural Innovation Centre in Pune, where 17 solar configurations are being tested across 30 crops. He urged industry and innovators to develop structures that allow farm machinery to move freely and withstand local weather, and to generate crop-wise data through ICAR, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

India has trained nearly 70,000 Surya Mitras for village-level skills. Joshi said India's agrivoltaics experience could benefit the Global South, where small holdings, abundant sunshine and developing grids make such solutions relevant.

The curtain-raiser also saw the launch of the conference teaser, official logo, and the Agrivoltaics Pitch Hub on the theme “Fueling Farm to Fork Innovations,” with NSEFI as knowledge partner.

The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 will be held from 21 to 23 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, bringing together farmers, policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and international delegations to discuss scaling agrivoltaics.