India Launches Ambitious Agrivoltaic Program Under PM-KUSUM 2.0
The Indian government is introducing an agrivoltaics program to add 5 GW of solar capacity while allowing farmers to continue cultivation on the same land.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government have announced a major expansion of agrivoltaics to boost rural prosperity and crop productivity. Unveiled during the seventh AgriVoltaics World Conference in New Delhi, the initiative will be integrated into the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM 2.0) scheme.
The program allows farmers to install elevated solar structures over their crops, diversifying income through electricity sales and reducing reliance on diesel. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi noted that approximately 30 percent of India's 160 million hectares of cropland is suitable for these projects, offering a critical solution for the small and marginal landholders who comprise roughly 85 to 86 percent of the farming population.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy targets an initial capacity of 5 GW over the next few years, with a potential increase to 10 GW. To drive adoption, the government plans to neutralize the 25% to 30% cost premium associated with agrivoltaic infrastructure to ensure tariffs remain competitive with ground-mounted solar. The Union Cabinet is expected to consider a ₹51,000 crore proposal to fund new projects and existing liabilities.
High potential for the program has been identified in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, German Ambassador Jasper Wieck has pledged support for joint research on pilot sites to test the economic sustainability of combining agriculture and solar power.
