Agri-photovoltaics (agriPV):
In the 2026-27 Budget, the outlay for the PM-KUSUM scheme nearly doubled to ₹5,000 crore, with the government considering a National Agri-photovoltaics Mission to achieve 10 GW of capacity.This move positions Agri-photovoltaics (agriPV) as a primary solution to India’s land-use conflict between food security and the 300 GW solar target for 2030.AgriPV is a dual-use land technology that integrates solar power generation with agricultural cultivation on the same parcel of land. By mounting solar panels at specific heights or in spaced rows, it allows crops to grow underneath or between them, turning a single field into a powerhouse for both food and energy.Panels are fixed several meters high to ensure enough clearance for farmers, laborers, and even tractors to operate beneath them.Systems can be row-based (panels between crops), vertical (bifacial panels capturing sun from both sides), or greenhouse-integrated.The panels create a shading effect that can reduce soil temperature and protect sensitive crops from extreme weather like hail.Uses specific spacing and tilt to balance the Light Saturation Point of crops with maximum solar energy capture.
