{"id":69564,"date":"2026-03-23T18:02:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T12:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=69564"},"modified":"2026-03-23T21:06:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:36:00","slug":"agripv-pm-kusum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/23-03-2026\/agripv-pm-kusum","title":{"rendered":"Agri-Photovoltaics (agriPV) and PM-KUSUM: A Dual-purpose Powerhouses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture; Science &amp; Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/02-02-2026\/union-budget-2026-highlights\"><strong>Union Budget 2026\u201327<\/strong><\/a> nearly <strong>doubled the allocation<\/strong> for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/15-01-2025\/recalibrating-pm-kusum-scheme\"><strong>PM-KUSUM scheme<\/strong><\/a> to \u20b95,000 crore, signalling a renewed push toward solarisation of agriculture.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, expanding <strong>solar infrastructure without compromising food security <\/strong>remains a<strong> <\/strong>critical policy challenge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Agri-photovoltaics (AgriPV)<\/strong> refers to the integration of <strong>solar photovoltaic systems with agricultural practices<\/strong> on the same land parcel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can improve <strong>overall land productivity (Land Equivalent Ratio &gt;1)<\/strong>, making it more efficient than separate land uses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It emerges as a viable solution by enabling <strong>dual land use i.e. simultaneous crop cultivation and solar power generation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Types of AgriPV Systems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Elevated Systems<\/strong>: Panels mounted several metres high to allow farming below<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Row-based Systems<\/strong>: Panels placed between crop rows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vertical Systems<\/strong>: Upright bifacial panels capturing sunlight from both sides<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Greenhouse-integrated Systems<\/strong>: Solar panels integrated into protected cultivation structures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Crop Selection: Key Determinant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Crop productivity under AgriPV depends largely on <strong>shade tolerance<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Shade-tolerant crops<\/strong> perform well under panels;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sunlight-intensive crops<\/strong> grow better between panel rows;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moderate shading (~20\u201330%) can maintain or even enhance yields<\/strong> by reducing heat stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Economic and Business Models<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AgriPV scalability depends on viable financial arrangements:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Farmer-owned Models<\/strong>: Use electricity and sell surplus;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cooperative\/FPO-based Models<\/strong>: Aggregation improves bargaining power;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developer-led Models<\/strong>: Land leasing or revenue-sharing;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public sector Models<\/strong>: State-led decentralised energy systems;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AgriPV can <strong>increase farm income by over 30%<\/strong> when energy and agriculture are combined.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why AgriPV Matters for India?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Addressing Land Scarcity: <\/strong>India targets <strong>300 GW solar capacity by 2030; <\/strong>large-scale solar requires vast land; and over <strong>50% of land is agricultural;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AgriPV reduces <strong>land-use conflict<\/strong> by enabling dual utilisation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhancing Farmer Income: <\/strong>Income from <strong>electricity sales, leasing, or shared revenues; <\/strong>and diversification reduces agricultural risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environmental Benefits: <\/strong>Reduced <strong>evapotranspiration and improved soil moisture; <\/strong>protection from <strong>heat, hail, and extreme weather; <\/strong>and reduced dependence on <strong>diesel pumps.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AgriPV supports the <strong>Water\u2013Energy\u2013Food nexus<\/strong>, improving sustainability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rural Development: <\/strong>Enables <strong>cold storage, food processing, and agro-industries; <\/strong>and promotes <strong>rural entrepreneurship and decentralised energy systems.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Scaling AgriPV<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Economic Barriers: <\/strong>High capital cost due to <strong>elevated structures and specialised mounting systems<\/strong>; and cost higher than conventional solar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agricultural Uncertainty: <\/strong>Crop yields vary depending on <strong>design and shading patterns; <\/strong>and poor design may reduce productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory Issues: <\/strong>Land classification and ownership ambiguity, and lack of clarity on <strong>tariffs, grid connectivity, and revenue sharing.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Institutional Constraints: <\/strong>Limited technical standards and design benchmarks; investor uncertainty due to lack of policy clarity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Policy Pathways for India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Integration with PM-KUSUM 2.0: <\/strong>Proposed <strong>National Agri-Photovoltaics Mission (10 GW); <\/strong>and <strong>Viability Gap Funding (VGF)<\/strong> to reduce capital burden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clear Policy Framework: <\/strong>Recognise <strong>dual-use land systems, <\/strong>and standardise <strong>designs and tariffs.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State-Level Interventions: <\/strong>Identify <strong>AgriPV clusters,<\/strong> streamline approvals and provide <strong>farmer training.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening Institutions: <\/strong>Promote <strong>FPO participation, <\/strong>and improve access to <strong>credit and finance.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Agri-photovoltaics represents a <strong>transformative solution at the intersection of agriculture, energy, and sustainability<\/strong>. It addresses India\u2019s twin challenges of <strong>energy transition and food security<\/strong>, by enabling dual land use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AgriPV can evolve from pilot projects to a <strong>scalable national model<\/strong>, enhancing farmer incomes while advancing climate goals, with appropriate policy support under PM-KUSUM 2.0.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q] <\/strong>Examine how Agri-Photovoltaics (AgriPV) can serve as a dual-purpose model for enhancing farmer income and ensuring energy security, while addressing concerns related to food security, economic viability, and regulatory challenges.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/how-agripv-can-turn-indias-farms-into-dual-purpose-powerhouses\/article70772076.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Daily-Editorial-Analysis-23-03-2026.pdf\"><strong>Download PDF<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Published on:<\/strong> 23 March, 2026<\/p>\n<p>The Union Budget 2026\u201327 nearly doubled the allocation for the PM-KUSUM scheme to \u20b95,000 crore, signalling a renewed push toward solarisation of agriculture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":69566,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Editorial-Analysis-900-600-1-3.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69564"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69594,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69564\/revisions\/69594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}