Agrivoltaics: Centre tests farming beneath elevated solar panels

The Centre is testing agrivoltaics, growing crops beneath elevated solar panels, to produce both food and electricity.

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute's (IARI) first crop trial season found leafy vegetables like spinach and cauliflower grow well under panels, while rice and wheat are sensitive to shading; mustard showed promise.

The government aims to expand solar capacity by 35-40 GW annually, but land acquisition for solar parks is challenging; agrivoltaics allows dual use of land.

Pilots are running in 37 studies across India, with advisories for agrivoltaics possibly launched as early as the next kharif season.