Can solar-powered farming reshape agriculture?

The Rise of Agrivoltaics in India

As a farmer, you're always at the mercy of weather," says Harpal Dagar, who owns a farm on the outskirts of Delhi. "So many times, we lost our produce due to unpredictable conditions," he explains. But five years ago, he was approached by Sun Master, a solar power company based in Delhi, with an opportunity that would provide him with a more stable income.

Sun Master proposed installing solar panels above some of Mr. Dagar's fields, ensuring the panels were high enough off the ground to allow continued farming underneath them. Under a 25-year agreement, Mr. Dagar would receive annual payments, while Sun Master would retain the profits from the electricity generated.

"When the solar company first approached us, many of us feared losing our land. It sounded too good to be true—maybe even a scam," recalls Mr. Dagar. However, today, he believes it was the best decision he made. His income has tripled, and he no longer worries about climate or crop failure.

Sun Master pays him around $1,200 per acre annually, plus $170 a month for operating and maintaining the solar panels. "Even the turmeric I grow on the same land is mine to sell. How can I complain?" he asks.

This approach, known as agrivoltaics, involves placing solar panels above crops. India seems particularly well-suited for this innovation, given the unpredictable monsoons that often affect farmers' livelihoods. A reliable income from a solar energy firm could offer much-needed financial security.

Despite the benefits, adoption has been slow. According to the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), only around 40 projects are currently operational. Several challenges hinder widespread implementation.

Not all crops thrive under solar panels. Depending on the layout, the panels reduce light by between 15% and 30%. Some dense configurations block too much sunlight for staple crops like wheat, rice, soybeans, or pulses. "What works well are high-value crops with moderate or low-light needs, like green leafy vegetables, spices such as turmeric and ginger, and some flowers," explains Vivek Saraf, founder and CEO of SunSeed, a company specializing in agrivoltaics.

There is also the issue of cost. To allow farming underneath, solar panels need to be at least 11 feet (3.5 meters) off the ground, making them 20% to 30% more expensive to install than traditional solar farms. "Small farmers cannot own these systems. They don't have the risk appetite or capital," says Mr. Saraf.

Solar power companies are urging the government to provide subsidies to make agrivoltaics more attractive. "In India, where more than 55% of the population depends on agriculture and cultivable land is under mounting pressure, agrivoltaics offers a transformative model," says Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO of NSEFI. "It reduces irrigation needs, shields crops from heat stress, and stabilizes incomes by diversifying revenue streams for farmers."

SunSeed offers farmers multiple options, including continuing to farm for a fixed salary or handing over all farming responsibilities to SunSeed. "Our model ensures the farmer is not exposed to any risk. If the crop fails or there's a market issue, the loss is ours—not the farmers'," says Mr. Saraf.

The company has also developed sophisticated agrivoltaics simulation software. "It digitally replicates panel configurations and crop types to simulate how much light and heat each leaf receives, how photosynthesis is affected, and ultimately how much yield to expect," he explains.

However, there is still caution among government officials regarding the combination of solar power and farming. "Agrivoltaics is promising, but we must protect both the farmer and the developer," says Manu Srivastava, who oversees solar and agrivoltaic projects in the state of Madhya Pradesh. "The biggest challenge is contracts. A 25-year lease needs clear obligations and protection for both sides. In India, long-term contract enforcement is still a hurdle."

He also notes that agrivoltaics systems are more expensive than traditional ground-mounted solar farms, making returns on investment more challenging. "If the farmer starts charging too much for land and the developer has to bear high structural costs, then it becomes unviable," he adds.

India is currently lagging behind China, which has over 500 agrivoltaics projects in operation. "It's a small beginning. But if the farmer's economic interest is protected, if the right crops are chosen, and if contracts are clear and fair, there's no reason India cannot lead in agrivoltaics," says Mr. Srivastava.

Anand Jain, from a family of farmers, found a plot of land with no electricity in 2024. That's when the idea clicked. He began experimenting with agrivoltaics. Today, he has 14 acres of farmland under solar panels, generating 4.5 megawatts of power. Underneath, he continues experimenting with crops, though he hasn't sold any yet. "I've had success with strawberries and tomatoes, although cauliflower didn't work out as well."

The project was funded through bank loans and government support, totaling $2.27 million. "Let me be clear—agrivoltaics isn't yet feasible for small farmers in India," he says. "This model will only succeed if there is a strong partnership between the government and the private sector."