NEW DELHI, 25 October 2026: India has an estimated 47.5 million hectares of cropland technically suitable for agrivoltaics, a system that combines solar power generation with agricultural activities on the same land, according to a study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
The findings were highlighted during the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference, held in New Delhi from October 21 to 23, where experts discussed solar technologies, structural designs and farming models suited to India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions.
TERI led a technical session titled “Technology and Design Choices for Indian Conditions” on the conference’s concluding day. The event was hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with support from the Indo-German Cooperation on Agrivoltaics project. It was the first time the international conference was held in the Global South.
The session also saw the release of TERI’s report, Advancing Agrivoltaics in India: Evidence-based Best Practices and Policy Recommendations for the Energy-Food-Water Nexus. The report examines photovoltaic technologies, mounting structures and system layouts that could support agrivoltaic deployment across different crops, farming systems and landholding sizes.
Study Estimates Significant Solar Generation Potential
The TERI study estimates that approximately 47.5 million hectares, equivalent to around 30% of India’s 160 million hectares of cropland, are technically suitable for agrivoltaic installations.
Under one deployment scenario covering 16 million hectares, the study estimated potential annual electricity generation of 12,775 terawatt-hours (TWh). This is comparable to or higher than India’s projected electricity demand of 5,250–10,020 TWh by 2050.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi referred to the study during the conference’s inaugural session on October 21, according to the information provided by TERI and the government’s announcement.
The estimates represent technical potential rather than a guaranteed deployment outcome. Actual implementation will depend on local feasibility, crop suitability, system design, land-use considerations and economic viability.
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh together account for nearly half of the estimated potential, highlighting the importance of state-specific planning and agricultural conditions.
Solar Technology Must Suit Local Farming Conditions
The technical session brought together experts from India and other countries to examine how photovoltaic technology and structural design can be adapted to agricultural needs.
Dr James Macdonald, Consultant at ENGIE Research & Innovation, Spain, outlined five considerations for successful agrivoltaic deployment: crops, climate, configuration, compatibility and collaboration.
Dr Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee of BAIF, India, emphasised the potential of integrated agrivoltaic systems to support agricultural productivity and sustainability. He said electrification of farm operations could help reduce emissions associated with farming, while integrated farming systems could meet more of their energy and resource needs using on-farm generation.
Nitin Khade, Joint Secretary in the Department of Land Resources, Government of India, highlighted the contribution of watershed development to rural livelihoods. He cited examples where farmers had increased cropping intensity, raised incomes by 60–70% and improved groundwater levels by up to three metres following watershed interventions.
Crop Selection and Structural Design Remain Key Challenges
A panel discussion on “Innovations in PV Technology and Structural Design for Scaling Agrivoltaics” examined the practical considerations involved in expanding agrivoltaics in India. The discussion was chaired and moderated by Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI.
Aviad Perry highlighted the need to identify crops suited to the light and growing conditions beneath solar panels. He cited reported yield reductions of around 40% for onions and 25% for corn in certain agrivoltaic systems, underlining the importance of crop-specific research and appropriate system configurations.
Dr Mahesh Murthy, Chief Technology Officer at WAAREE, called for faster adoption of agrivoltaics and said appropriate standards would be essential to ensure effective implementation and utilisation of the systems.
On structural design, Prasad Bhagare, Founder and CEO of Ground Screw Company, discussed ground-screw foundations as a potential alternative to concrete foundations. He noted that ground screws can provide anchoring while allowing easier removal, whereas concrete foundations may affect soil conditions and create challenges during decommissioning.
Michael Schmela, Executive Director of SolarPower Europe, Belgium, emphasised the need for clear regulatory definitions and a shared understanding of the rules governing agrivoltaic projects. He also called for sufficient flexibility to accommodate different farming practices and local conditions.
Hirotaka Koike, Executive Director of Earth Sherpa, Japan, highlighted the importance of consistent policy direction and clearly defined priorities, drawing on Japan’s experience with small-scale, farmer-led systems.
Skills and Standards Needed to Scale Agrivoltaics
Experts also identified workforce development and technical standards as important requirements for scaling agrivoltaics.
Dr Rhythm Singh, Associate Professor at IIT Roorkee, called for standards covering operations, maintenance and safety across India’s agro-climatic zones. He also highlighted the need for specialised education and training to help engineers and technicians understand agricultural systems alongside solar technology.
The session underscored the importance of collaboration among industry, academic institutions and research organisations. Integrating agricultural knowledge with engineering expertise will be crucial to designing, installing and maintaining systems that meet both energy and farming requirements.
Agrivoltaics Could Support India’s Energy and Agriculture Goals
Agriculture employs approximately 46% of India’s workforce, contributes 15–18% of gross value added and occupies nearly 60% of the country’s geographical area, according to the figures cited in the conference material. Competition for land makes approaches that combine agricultural production and renewable energy increasingly relevant.
As of June 2026, India had 52 operational agrivoltaic projects, with additional pilot projects under development, according to the information provided by TERI.
Despite the estimated technical potential, adoption remains limited. Scaling the sector will require locally suitable designs, crop-specific evidence, clear regulations, appropriate standards and stronger capacity-building.
The conference discussions reinforced that agrivoltaics cannot rely on a single design for every region. Its expansion will depend on balancing electricity generation with crop productivity, farmer incomes, soil and water management, and the practical requirements of agricultural operations.
With appropriate technology, policy support and farmer participation, agrivoltaics could provide an additional pathway for India to expand renewable energy while maintaining agricultural use of land.