Summary
The technology known as agrivoltaics involves installing solar panels above farmland, allowing farmers to grow crops underneath. This setup can provide farmers with a steady income from solar energy while continuing traditional farming. However, the adoption of this approach in India has been slow due to challenges such as increased costs and the suitability of only certain crops under reduced sunlight.
Key Facts
- Agrivoltaics refers to placing solar panels above farmland to allow farming and energy generation on the same land.
- Harpal Dagar, a farmer near Delhi, successfully implemented agrivoltaics and increased his income by partnering with a solar company.
- The solar company pays Dagar yearly and monthly for maintaining the solar panels.
- Sun Master, the solar company, benefits from selling the electricity produced by the panels.
- Currently, around 40 agrivoltaic projects operate in India, according to the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI).
- Not all crops are suitable for growth under solar panels due to reduced light, which can affect staple crops like wheat and rice.
- The installation of agrivoltaic systems is more expensive because the panels need to be higher off the ground than regular solar farms.
- Solar companies are seeking government subsidies to make agrivoltaics more appealing to farmers.
