Agrisolar Best Practice Guidelines Report Launched to Boost Solar-Agricultural Synergy in India
The rapid growth of solar energy in India has led to intensified competition for land, raising concerns about its impact on agricultural activities.
April 09, 2024. By Abha Rustagi
The rapid growth of solar energy in India has led to intensified competition for land, raising concerns about its impact on agricultural activities. With the country targeting 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030, the adoption of innovative approaches like Agrivoltaics has become imperative.
Agrivoltaics, which involves the co-location of solar panels with agricultural activities, promises mutual benefits for both sectors. The advantages of Agrivoltaics are multifaceted. Farmers stand to gain additional income through higher crop yields, rental income from land use, and revenue from power generation. Moreover, Agrivoltaics offers climate adaptation benefits by providing shade to crops, controlling growing seasons, and protecting them from adverse weather conditions.
The India edition of the SolarPower Europe’s Agrisolar Best Practice Guidelines, developed in collaboration with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF), aims to provide tailored guidance for Indian stakeholders. Drawing on the experiences of both European and Indian industry professionals, the guidelines offer a framework for implementing Agrivoltaics in the Indian context.
The importance of sustainable agriculture in India cannot be overstated, as highlighted by the Composite Index of Agricultural Sustainability (CIAS). While the index reveals a moderate level of sustainability at the national level, certain states like Mizoram, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal have made significant progress in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. However, challenges persist, particularly in arid regions like Rajasthan, necessitating targeted interventions to enhance sustainability.
Agrivoltaics presents a promising solution to the perceived conflict between renewable energy development and agricultural land use. By maximizing synergies between energy production and food security, Agrivoltaics offers a pathway towards sustainable development. With India's vast agricultural land holding immense potential for Agri-PV systems, the integration of solar energy and agriculture could not only meet energy demands but also enhance agricultural productivity while mitigating climate risks.
As the theoretical potential of Agrivoltaics remains high in India, accounting for a significant portion of agricultural land, the launch of the Agrisolar Best Practice Guidelines signals a paradigm shift towards harnessing the synergy between solar energy and agriculture for a more sustainable future.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
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