5 days ago
Agrivoltaic Trials Test Crops and Solar Power Together
Researchers are testing whether farmers can grow crops and make solar electricity on the same land.
They are trying 17 kinds of solar-panel arrangements with 30 different crops.
Some panels stand vertically, while others are raised high enough for tractors to pass underneath.
Solar panels are also being tested near ponds, wells, cattle sheds and poultry sheds.
Early results were different for different crops.
Spinach, lettuce and coriander grew much better under some panels, while brinjal produced less than plants in ordinary plots.
The researchers will continue testing to learn which crop-and-panel combinations could help farmers earn money from both food and electricity.
BAIF researchers are testing 17 solar-panel designs with 30 crops at Uruli Kanchan.
The project includes vertical, elevated, inclined, floating and farm-structure-integrated solar installations.
Spinach, lettuce and coriander produced 100% higher yields than control plots during the kharif season.
Researchers are studying how panel height, spacing and design affect crop productivity and farm operations.
A final report is expected by March 2027, with recommendations on agrivoltaic support and subsidies planned.
- Who
- Researchers at the BAIF Rural Innovation Centre, including Vitthal Kauthale, are conducting the trials.
- What
- They are studying agrivoltaic systems that combine crop cultivation with solar-power generation.
- Where
- The project is being conducted at BAIF’s campus in Uruli Kanchan, with awareness programmes involving farmers from Pune, Nashik and Ahilyanagar.
- When
- The panels have been installed for about one-and-a-half years; the final report is expected by March 2027.
- Why
- The researchers want to identify solar structures and crops that can support farm productivity and provide farmers with an additional electricity-related income source.
Key facts
- Solar designs tested
- 17 types of solar-panel installations
- Crops tested
- 30 crops
- Research duration so far
- About one-and-a-half years and nearly three crop cycles
- Best preliminary result
- Spinach, lettuce and coriander showed 100% higher yields than control plots during the kharif season
- Brinjal result
- Brinjal produced about 80% of the control-plot yield
- Final report
- Expected by March 2027
- Farmer outreach
- More than 100 farmers from Pune, Nashik and Ahilyanagar have attended awareness programmes
Quotes
Vitthal Kauthale
Chief thematic programme executive for BAIF’s Farm Research and Seed Programme
“During the kharif season, crops such as spinach, lettuce and coriander have shown 100 per cent more yields compared with the controlled plots. Brinjal, on the other hand, has recorded yields of around 80 per cent of the control.”
indianexpress.com
“The objective is to study how agricultural land can be used for both cultivation and solar power generation. We are testing different structures with different crops to understand which combinations are suitable for farmers.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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