What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating solar power generation and agricultural production on the same parcel of land. The solar mounting structure is tall enough or spaced wide enough that crops, grazing livestock, or aquaculture can coexist beneath and between the panels. The system delivers two outputs from one parcel: electricity and food.
Three primary configurations exist: stilted overhead arrays at 3 to 5 meters height with crops below, wide-spaced ground-mount arrays with crops in between rows, and vertical bifacial arrays that allow standard tractor operation between row spacings. The choice depends on crops, climate, mechanisation requirements, and economics.
Agrivoltaics is distinct from conventional ground-mount solar (which displaces agriculture), rooftop solar (no land use), and floating solar (water surface). In India, agrivoltaics is positioned as the answer to the land-use conflict that constrains utility-scale solar expansion in states with limited fallow land.
Why agrivoltaics matters in India
India targets 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, with the bulk being solar. Conventional utility-scale solar needs roughly 5 acres per MW of land. If solar is sited only on agricultural land currently used for cropping, the conflict with food production is sharp. Agrivoltaics resolves this by enabling solar on actively farmed land.
For farmers, agrivoltaics offers a second revenue stream (energy lease or sale to DISCOM via PMKUSUM Component A) on top of crop income. In water-stressed regions, the shade benefit also reduces crop water demand by 14 to 29 percent, which has standalone value.
For DISCOMs and central agencies, agrivoltaics improves the political acceptance of solar deployment by avoiding land displacement of farmers. PMKUSUM Component A specifically supports decentralised solar plants up to 2 MW on agricultural land with farmer ownership or partnership.
How an agrivoltaic system is designed
- Site assessment. Soil, water, current cropping, solar resource, grid proximity.
- Crop selection. Shade-tolerant crops chosen for the climate.
- Structure design. Height, spacing, row orientation calculated for crop and panel needs.
- Foundation engineering. Deeper foundations for taller structures.
- Solar plant design. kWp sizing, module count, inverter selection.
- Permits and clearances. Land-use, DISCOM, environment as applicable.
- Installation. Foundations, structure, panels, electricals.
- Crop establishment. Sowing or planting under and between rows.
- Operations. Solar O&M plus farming activities coordinated.
- Monitoring. Energy output and crop yield tracked together.
Benefits of agrivoltaics
- Dual revenue. Electricity plus crop income from one parcel.
- Land efficiency. Resolves solar-versus-agriculture conflict.
- Water savings. Shade reduces evapotranspiration.
- Crop resilience. Lower heat stress for sensitive crops.
- Farmer income. Energy lease or sale revenue.
- Vegetation management. Grazing reduces mowing.
- Political acceptability. Easier permits than displacement.
Limitations and challenges
Capex premium. 30 to 50 percent more than conventional ground-mount.
Crop yield loss for full-sun crops. Not universal benefit.
Operations coordination. Solar maintenance and farming must align.
Equipment access. Tractor and harvester clearance requires careful design.
Limited DCR for taller structures. Steel cost dominates BOQ.
Insurance complexity. Dual-use property may need specialised cover.
Agrivoltaics in Indian states
| State / region | Status / focus |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Pilot sites, water-stressed Vidarbha and Marathwada |
| Gujarat | Demonstration projects, sun-rich Saurashtra |
| Andhra Pradesh | State agency-led pilots, cooperative ownership |
| Karnataka | Research with UAS and KREDL collaboration |
| Tamil Nadu | Coastal pilots, salt-tolerant crops |
| Rajasthan | Limited cropping under solar, livestock grazing |
Quick facts
| Definition | Dual use of land for solar and agriculture |
|---|---|
| Structure height | 3 to 5 meters typically |
| Cost premium | 30 to 50 percent over standard ground-mount |
| Water savings | 14 to 29 percent for shaded crops |
| Scheme alignment | PMKUSUM Component A |
| Typical scale | 100 kWp to 5 MW |
| Ownership models | Farmer, developer-lease, cooperative |
Common mistakes about agrivoltaics
- Choosing full-sun crops. Yield drops sharply.
- Standard ground-mount height. Blocks farming.
- Skipping farmer engagement. Operations fail.
- No water-source plan. Crops still need irrigation.
- Ignoring mechanisation. Tractor access required.
- Underestimating capex. Foundations and structures cost more.
- Treating like conventional solar O&M. Crop schedule must integrate.
- No yield monitoring. Cannot prove dual-use claim.
Key takeaways
- Agrivoltaics combines solar power and agriculture on the same land.
- Structure height 3 to 5 meters enables farming beneath.
- Capex 30 to 50 percent above conventional ground-mount.
- Water savings of 14 to 29 percent for shaded crops.
- PMKUSUM Component A supports up to 2 MW per project.
- Pilots active in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
- Resolves the land-use conflict for utility-scale solar growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is the dual use of land for both agricultural production and solar power generation. Solar panels are mounted high enough or spaced wide enough to allow crops, grazing livestock, or aquaculture to coexist beneath. The system produces electricity and food from the same parcel of land.
Why is agrivoltaics relevant in India?
India has limited land available for utility-scale solar without competing with agriculture. Agrivoltaics resolves the land-use conflict by producing electricity over actively farmed land, improving farmer income through energy revenue, and aligning with PMKUSUM scheme objectives.
Which crops work under solar panels?
Shade-tolerant crops perform best: leafy greens (spinach, fenugreek, coriander), turmeric, ginger, certain pulses, mushrooms, and aromatic plants. Crops that need full sun (cotton, paddy in some varieties) underperform. Regional crop selection drives agrivoltaic design.
What height do agrivoltaic structures need?
Typical agrivoltaic mounting structures are 3 to 5 meters tall to allow tractor passage, crop growth, and worker access. Compare with conventional solar at 1 to 2 meters. Higher structures cost more in steel but enable mechanised farming.
Does shade reduce crop yield?
Yes for full-sun crops but for shade-tolerant crops the yield can equal or exceed open-field cultivation due to lower water stress, lower temperatures, and reduced wind damage. Some studies report 5 to 15 percent yield improvement for specific crops under agrivoltaics.
Is agrivoltaics covered by MNRE or PMKUSUM?
PMKUSUM Component A supports decentralised solar power plants up to 2 MW on agricultural land, which aligns with agrivoltaic concepts. State agencies and MNRE have pilots. Specific agrivoltaic-only subsidy programs are emerging.
What is the cost premium for agrivoltaics versus standard ground-mount?
Agrivoltaic structures typically cost 30 to 50 percent more than conventional ground-mount due to taller mounting, wider row spacing, and reinforced foundations. The cost is offset by dual revenue (electricity plus crops) and land lease savings.
Who owns the land in an agrivoltaic project?
Models vary: farmer-owned with EPC partnership, leased to developer with revenue-share to farmer, cooperative ownership, or PSU-led demonstration projects. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have early pilots.
Are there water savings with agrivoltaics?
Yes commonly. Shade reduces evapotranspiration, lowering crop water requirements by 14 to 29 percent depending on crop and climate. In water-stressed states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, this is a significant benefit.
Can livestock graze under solar panels?
Yes. Sheep grazing under solar arrays is the most common; goats and ducks also work. Cattle generally need taller structures. Grazing also doubles as vegetation management, reducing site mowing costs.
What is the typical project size for agrivoltaics in India?
Pilots range from 100 kWp to 5 MW. PMKUSUM Component A targets up to 2 MW per project. Commercial-scale agrivoltaic projects 5 to 50 MW are being explored. Larger projects need careful crop and grazing planning.
What companies are doing agrivoltaics in India?
Pilots and research projects involve ICAR institutes, NSEFI working groups, MNRE-funded demonstrations, and private developers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The sector is early-stage but growing.
Run your solar business on QuickEstimate
India's mobile-first solar CRM. Send subsidy-ready proposals on WhatsApp in 60 seconds. Free for 10 proposals a month, no card.
Start free →Sources
- MNRE PMKUSUM scheme guidelines. Decentralised solar on agricultural land. mnre.gov.in
- ICAR research on dual land use. Crop-solar combinations.
- NSEFI agrivoltaics working group. Industry framework.
- National Solar Institute studies. Yield and water impact data.
- Fraunhofer ISE agrivoltaics research. International benchmark.
- Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat state nodal agencies. Pilot project data.
- FAO and IRENA reports. Global agrivoltaic adoption.
Written by QuickEstimate Editorial, QuickEstimate Editorial (Surat).
Last updated: 4 June 2026.