As India pushes forward with its agrivoltaics agenda, a quiet innovation is taking root across the countryside. Small and marginal farmers, often working with fragmented plots and limited support, have been cultivating crops beneath solar panels a practice now being recognized as “micro-agrivoltaics.” This under-the-radar approach offers immense potential to scale clean energy while simultaneously enhancing agricultural productivity.
Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining agriculture and photovoltaic systems on the same land, is gaining momentum through formal initiatives like policy dialogues, pilot projects, and research centers. However, the grassroots dimension where farmers adapt solar panels primarily meant for irrigation and continue to grow crops underneath is largely overlooked by mainstream policy and research efforts.
This micro-scale innovation is emerging organically in response to the needs of smallholders. With landholdings often no larger than a fraction of a hectare, fencing off a portion of the land for solar panels can be a significant sacrifice. Instead, many farmers in regions like north Bihar are adapting by continuing to farm beneath the panels, effectively creating their own dual-use systems.
A recent small-scale survey revealed that out of 162 farmers using solar-powered irrigation, 70 were also growing crops beneath their solar panels. These farmers cultivated a diverse range of produce including tomatoes, brinjal, chilli, turmeric, leafy greens, and more beneath solar installations. The motivations were rooted in necessity, but the results have been promising. A notable share of these farmers observed improved yields, particularly with vegetables like chilli, ginger, and leafy crops.
Interestingly, about one-third of the farmers noted that the shaded environment under the panels helped retain soil moisture, reducing irrigation needs. Most did not report any major change in crop density, suggesting that the yield gains were not due to fewer plants but potentially better growing conditions. Only a small minority believed the panels hindered crop growth.
Of those engaged in micro-agrivoltaics, 25% reported no change in yield, 35% saw marginal improvements, and 40% experienced significant increases some over 20%. These figures are noteworthy given the informal and unstructured nature of the initiative.
India’s estimated 25 million minor irrigation structures largely solarized or in the process represent an enormous untapped opportunity. With the potential to deploy up to 200 GWp of solar capacity through these systems, the scope for integrating micro-agrivoltaics is vast. Even a fraction of this capacity supporting dual land use could yield substantial returns for clean energy and food security alike.
To unlock this potential, more systematic studies are needed to quantify the agronomic and economic benefits. Micro-agrivoltaics, though often improvised and unseen, may hold the key to India’s next leap in sustainable agriculture and decentralized energy.
