Agrovoltaics on 10% of suitable land can cover energy consumption by 2050: Pralhad Joshi

“Under PM Kusum’s next phase, we will launch one of the world’s agro-voltaic programmes,” Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said at the launch of the Seventh World Agriculture Conference. Source: x.com/JoshiPralhad

Putting just 10% of agricultural land considered suitable for agro-voltaics in India could generate enough electricity to meet the country’s projected energy demand by 2050, Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday.

“If even 10% (of land considered suitable for agrovoltaics) is converted (toward operation), agrovoltaics can generate more than the energy estimated for 2050,” he said, citing a study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

A study published in July identified about 47.5 million hectares, or nearly 30% of India’s more than 160 million hectares of arable agricultural land, as suitable for agrovoltaics.

This approach combines agricultural activity with solar photovoltaic energy production on the same land, potentially allowing farmers to maintain agricultural production while generating additional income from renewable energy.

The government is working on a specific policy framework for the sector and agro-voltaic may be included in the next phase of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

“We will be launching one of the world’s agrovoltaic programs under the next phase of PM Kusum,” Mr. Joshi said at the launch of the seventh Agrivoltaic World Conference.

Addressing the conference, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the potential benefits of agro-voltaics, but stressed the need to address land use issues and assess the feasibility of projects in different regions.

Key cost competitiveness

Mr Joshi said agro-voltaic installations, which typically require elevated solar panel structures to facilitate farming underneath, could cost 25-30% more than conventional ground-based solar projects.

He emphasized the need to bridge the cost gap to make the model commercially viable.

“The average cost of power supply was around ₹ 7 per unit in (fiscal year) 2025-26. While some major agro-voltaic estimates indicate a potential generation of ₹ 3.20 to ₹ 3.30 (per unit), the land cost is now ₹ 2.5 to ₹ 2.6 (per unit). This gap needs to be bridged,” he said.

Guarantees for farmers

Mr Chouhan said the proposed policy must provide mechanisms to help farmers repair solar modules, resolve disputes and clarify the conditions under which farmland can be sold or leased, although he appreciated the potential of agro-voltaics for further income generation.

“There has to be (farmer) participation, but it also has to coincide with mechanisms to facilitate solutions,” he said.

The policy must also identify suitable crops for different geographic conditions, introduce provisions for recycling solar equipment and ensure that land can be restored to agricultural use if farmers decide to abandon agrovoltaics, he added.

Published – 21 Oct 2026 21:48 IST