MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi highlights AgriVoltaics, PM-KUSUM, solar irrigation and policy support to improve farmers’ income and livelihoods.
India is exploring ways to expand the use of AgriVoltaics to strengthen the integration of agriculture and renewable energy, building on the achievements of the PM-KUSUM scheme. The initiative could help farmers improve their livelihoods while supporting the country’s clean energy transition.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), highlighted India’s renewable energy journey and the potential of AgriVoltaics to deliver wider benefits to the farming community.
He emphasised the need to make PM-KUSUM more holistic, with greater attention to farmers’ progress, income generation and livelihoods, rather than focusing solely on the installation of solar-powered systems.
Solar Irrigation Reduces Farmers’ Dependence on Diesel
Highlighting the benefits of solar-powered irrigation, Sarangi noted that the deployment of solar energy solutions has helped farmers reduce their dependence on diesel for agricultural pumping.
Solar-powered irrigation can help farmers lower their exposure to diesel price fluctuations and improve access to reliable energy for agricultural operations. It can also support the wider adoption of renewable energy in rural areas.
The government is now looking at how the benefits of PM-KUSUM can be extended through AgriVoltaics, an approach that combines agricultural activities with solar power generation on the same land.
What Is AgriVoltaics?
AgriVoltaics, also known as agrivoltaics, involves the co-location of solar photovoltaic installations and agricultural activities. Depending on the system design, farmers may continue growing crops, grazing livestock or undertaking other suitable agricultural activities beneath or around solar panels.
The approach can help farmers diversify income sources by combining agricultural production with electricity generation. Carefully designed systems may also offer benefits such as reduced heat stress for certain crops and more efficient use of land and water.
However, outcomes depend on crop selection, panel height and spacing, local climatic conditions, irrigation requirements and the financial viability of individual projects.
AgriVoltaics Handbook and Policy Framework
During the conference, the launch of an AgriVoltaics handbook was highlighted as an important step towards strengthening knowledge and promoting the adoption of the technology in India.
Sarangi also drew attention to ongoing efforts to develop a policy framework for the sector. A clear policy framework could help establish suitable guidelines, encourage investment and improve coordination among stakeholders.
As AgriVoltaics develops in India, policy support will be important in addressing questions relating to land use, agricultural productivity, electricity generation and the distribution of financial benefits between farmers and project developers.
Research, Financing and Business Models Are Key
The MNRE Secretary emphasised the importance of research, commercially viable financing structures, sustainable business models and appropriate power procurement mechanisms to scale up AgriVoltaics.
Research institutions can help identify suitable crop varieties, solar panel configurations and farming practices. Financial institutions and industry players can support the development of projects that are commercially sustainable and accessible to farmers.
Appropriate electricity procurement arrangements will also be essential to ensure that power generated through AgriVoltaic installations can be sold under viable terms.
The development of practical financing mechanisms and reliable revenue models could help attract private investment while ensuring that farmers receive meaningful economic benefits.
Stronger Partnerships to Accelerate Adoption
Sarangi called for stronger partnerships among central and state governments, research institutions, industry, financial institutions and farming communities to accelerate the adoption of AgriVoltaics in India.
Such collaboration can help bridge the gap between research and implementation, develop region-specific solutions and make the technology more accessible to farmers.
India’s renewable energy expansion has created opportunities to explore innovative models that combine clean electricity generation with agricultural development. AgriVoltaics could become one such approach, provided projects are designed around local farming conditions and deliver measurable benefits to agricultural communities.