India’s need for agrivoltaics has never been more pressing. The country faces a combination of challenges: a large and growing population that demands more food, an agricultural sector that is vulnerable to climate change, and an increasing need for renewable energy sources. While India is the third-largest producer of solar power globally, much of this energy generation has been focused on large-scale solar farms located on barren or unused land. Agrivoltaics offers an innovative way to merge agriculture with solar power generation.
The Indian government has recognized the potential of agrivoltaics as a sustainable solution to improve agricultural and energy outcomes. Early experiments and pilot projects in various states have demonstrated promising results, showing how the combination of solar power and agriculture can significantly improve the economics of rural communities. Agrivoltaics can also help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by promoting water efficiency and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. In this context, the first article outlines a brief history of agrivoltaics and examines how APV has evolved from an experiment in the 80s to an innovation for sustainable agricultural land use and energy generation. It also highlights the key points in policy support and designed financial mechanisms for boosting APV projects and what kind of insights it offers for India.
