Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Agri-PV Proposal Seeks to Put Solar Profits in Farmers’ Hands
India has built many more solar power projects over the past 12 years.
Most large solar projects are owned or developed by companies rather than farmers.
The authors say farmers should receive financial help to build their own solar plants.
They suggest placing solar panels about 11 feet above crops so the same land can produce food and electricity.
This approach is called agri-photovoltaics, or agri-PV.
The authors believe it could increase farm incomes and reduce the cost of electricity subsidies.
A pilot project in Rajasthan reported much higher potential earnings from selling electricity and growing crops that tolerate shade.
They also propose loans, storage, better tariffs, and solar cooperatives.
The articles differ on whether the 168.04 GW figure was recorded “by last month” or in August 2026.
India’s installed solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 168.04 GW, according to the articles.
Utility-scale projects account for about 74% of capacity, while rooftop systems represent roughly 20%.
The authors propose adding capital subsidies to PM-KUSUM Component A so farmers can develop solar plants.
Agri-photovoltaic systems would place elevated, spaced solar panels above farmland, enabling food and energy production together.
An ICRIER pilot in Rajasthan reported potential income rising from about Rs 40,000 to nearly Rs 4 lakh per acre.
- Who
- Indian farmers, farmer producer companies, government agencies, power distributors, and solar developers; the proposal was made by Ashok Gulati and Subhodeep Basu of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations.
- What
- A proposal to expand farmer-owned solar generation through PM-KUSUM Component A and agri-photovoltaic systems.
- When
- The articles describe solar capacity as having reached 168.04 GW; one says this was by last month, while the other specifies August 2026.
- Where
- India, including a 600-kW pilot in Rajasthan and the Khavda Solar Park in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch.
- Why
- To increase farmers’ incomes, reduce electricity-subsidy pressures, support rural industrialisation, and generate clean energy.
- Installed solar capacity
- 168.04 GW, up from 2.82 GW in 2014, according to the articles.
- Utility-scale share
- Approximately 74% of India’s installed solar capacity.
- Rooftop solar target
- PM Surya Ghar aims to bring rooftop solar to 1 crore households.
- Household subsidy
- A 3-kW rooftop system receives Rs 78,000 in central support; total support can reach Rs 1.08 lakh in Uttar Pradesh.
- Rajasthan pilot financing
- The 600-kW plant used a Rs 1.4-crore State Bank of India loan, Rs 60 lakh from farmers, and Rs 35 lakh in Kotak Mahindra CSR funds.
- Reported income potential
- The Rajasthan pilot compared about Rs 40,000 per acre from wheat and bajra with nearly Rs 4 lakh from energy sales and shade-tolerant horticulture.
- Proposed feed-in tariff
- The authors suggest Rs 4.5 per kWh for agri-PV projects.
