India‘s First Agrivoltaic Farm Signals Potential-and Hurdles-for a growing Trend
MANDYA DISTRICT, INDIA – A 14-acre farm in Karnataka is offering a glimpse into the future of Indian agriculture, combining solar energy production with crop cultivation. Anand Jain, a farmer from a family of agriculturalists, has pioneered a large-scale ”agrivoltaic” system, generating 4.5 megawatts of power – comparable to a medium-sized wind turbine – while simultaneously growing crops beneath the elevated solar panels. The project, launched in 2024 after Jain identified land lacking access to electricity, represents a notable investment in a nascent field, but also highlights the challenges to widespread adoption for smaller farmers.
Agrivoltaics, the co-location of agriculture and solar photovoltaic power generation, is gaining traction globally as a way to address land-use conflicts and enhance food and energy security. In India, where arable land is increasingly scarce and demand for both food and renewable energy is rising, the concept holds particular promise. Though, the $2.27 million investment required for Jain’s farm – funded through bank loans and government support – underscores a critical barrier: the high upfront costs that currently limit agrivoltaics to larger-scale operations and collaborative ventures.
Jain initially cultivated medicinal plants before transitioning to agrivoltaics. He’s currently experimenting with various crops under the panels, reporting “promising” results with strawberries and tomatoes, though cauliflower has proven less accomplished. He has not yet begun selling produce from the farm, focusing instead on assessing quality and optimizing growing conditions.
“The necessity is the mother of the invention, and this is how I started to experiment with agrivoltaics,” Jain explained.
Despite the encouraging early signs, Jain cautions that agrivoltaics isn’t currently a viable option for small farmers in India. “This model can only work if there is a solid partnership between the government and the private sector,” he stated, emphasizing the need for continued financial assistance and collaborative frameworks to facilitate broader implementation. The success of jain’s farm could pave the way for a more sustainable and integrated approach to agriculture and energy production in India, but widespread adoption hinges on overcoming significant economic and logistical hurdles.
