India Agrivoltaics Market Assessment, By System Type, By Cell Type, By Crop Type, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

India agrivoltaics market is projected to witness a CAGR of 11.55% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032, growing from USD 156.03 million in FY2024 to USD 374.08 million in FY2032.

The agrivoltaics market in India is experiencing significant growth, driven by its potential to address critical challenges in both the agriculture and energy sectors. Key factors fueling this market expansion include increasing demand for land efficiency and the dual-use capability of agrivoltaics. Recent innovations in agrivoltaic design, such as vertical bifacial panels, further contribute to this ongoing trend.

Moreover, economic benefits for farmers play a crucial role in this growth. Agrivoltaics provide farmers with diversified income streams through crop sales and electricity generation. Leasing land to solar developers ensures steady rental income, which improves rural livelihoods. Additionally, solar panels shield crops from extreme weather, enhancing climate resilience and reducing water requirements, which are essential factors for India's water-scarce regions.

Furthermore, technological advancements like elevated solar panels, bifacial designs, and precision agricultural integration make agrivoltaics increasingly feasible and efficient. These innovations enhance crop yield and energy output while allowing for the use of farming machinery. Government policies and renewable energy targets also fuel this growth; supportive schemes and pilot projects aim to integrate agrivoltaics into India's broader clean energy strategy, promoting energy security and achieving climate goals.

For instance, in August 2024, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Ujwa, Delhi, inaugurated an agrivoltaics facility featuring solar panels elevated at 3.5 meters with 7.5-meter spacing between rows. The design enhances sunlight exposure for crops and facilitates the use of farming machinery, which addresses the limitations of earlier mounted systems.

Dual Land Utilization for Food and Energy Production Propelling Market Towards Growth

The incorporation of land efficiency, along with the dual-use capabilities of land, has fueled the expansion of the agrivoltaics market in India. As one of the most densely populated countries, India faces significant challenges in managing its arable land, which must simultaneously support agricultural production and renewable energy expansion. Agrivoltaics offers a solution by enabling the dual use of land for farming and solar energy generation, optimizing resource utilization, and reducing land-use conflicts. Elevated solar panels in agrivoltaic systems allow crops to grow underneath or between the structures. This design maximizes land efficiency by maintaining agricultural productivity while generating renewable energy.

Moreover, the partial shading provided by solar panels protects crops from extreme weather conditions, reduces soil moisture evaporation, and enhances overall yield stability. This is particularly beneficial for India's water-scarce regions, where water conservation is critical. Additionally, farmers gain diversified income sources through electricity sales and land leasing, which improves their financial resilience.

Furthermore, by addressing land scarcity and boosting agricultural productivity while contributing to renewable energy goals, agrivoltaics aligns with India's sustainable development priorities. This dual-purpose model drives significant interest and investment, diversifying the market and considerably contributing to its growth.

For instance, in November 2022, Sunseed APV along with Kanoda Energy and GIZ developed agrivoltaics in Parbhani, Maharashtra, as a part of a 50 MW solar project. The fully elevated solar panels were placed at a height of 3.75 meters, allowing uninterrupted farming underneath which highlights land efficiency and a viable business model for integrating solar power with agriculture.

Climate Adaptation and Water Conversation is Fueling the India Agrivoltaics Market Growth

Climate resilience and water use efficiency have fueled the expansion of the agrivoltaics market in India. With increasing climate variability, extreme heatwaves and water scarcity, Indian agriculture faces significant challenges. The agrivoltaics offers a dual solution by providing renewable energy generation while supporting sustainable farming practices under changing climate conditions.

The solar panels in the agrivoltaics systems act as protective canopies, shielding crops from excessive sunlight and reducing soil temperature. The shading helps to mitigate the effects of extreme heat which is becoming common in India due to global warming. Moreover, the moderated microclimate under the panels not only prevents crop damage but also stabilizes yield which further enhances the resilience of farming communities.

Additionally, water use efficiency is another critical benefit which is driving the adoption of agrivoltaics. The partial shading from solar panels reduces evaporation and transpiration rates which allows for significant water conversation which acts as a vital advantage in India's arid and semi-arid regions. The reduced water demand reduces the cost of irrigation for farmers which makes agrivoltaics a financially attractive option.

For example, in January 2023, Indra Solar Farm boasted an installed capacity of 500 kWp across 1.5 acres of land in Madhya Pradesh. The solar panels have been retrofitted into a playhouse Agri-PV structure, allowing for the integration of agricultural practices with solar energy generation. These panels are fixed at a tilt angle of 26 degrees, with inter-row and inter-column spacing set at five meters. The arrangement of the panels in a zigzag pattern ensures optimal sunlight penetration to every part of the land beneath.

Furthermore, the Indra Solar Farm has reported no crop yield loss despite crops being grown under the Agri-PV system. Additionally, water consumption for crop cultivation has been reduced by approximately 50% due to the shade provided by the solar panels, highlighting the project's effectiveness in promoting both sustainable energy and efficient agricultural practices.

Dominance of Fixed Solar Panels in the Agrivoltaics Market

Fixed solar panels have cemented their dominance with strong statistics in the market. This is largely due to the cost-effectiveness and easy installation, which makes them a preferred choice for farmers seeking to utilize solar energy without a costly upfront cost. The relatively low maintenance requirements of fixed solar panels also make them a viable choice for the agricultural sector which often operates with limited resources.

Moreover, the simplicity of fixed systems aligns with the needs of Indian farmers who may not have extensive technical expertise. These panels provide a steady energy source which can be directly used for irrigation, lighting and other agricultural applications. Fixed solar panels can be integrated with traditional farming practices which offer a reliable and consistent power supply without disrupting the land's primary use.

Additionally, India's abundant sunshine makes fixed solar panels highly efficient for energy production which offers farmers an opportunity to generate revenue from unused land while improving energy access. The government's support through subsidies and policies further incentivizes the use of solar technology, contributing to its dominance.

For instance, in August 2023, Sunseed APV along with Kanoda Energy and GIZ, developed 500 KW agrivoltaics in Nashik. The project uses fixed solar panels mounted above agricultural fields, allowing farmers to continue their cultivation underneath while generating renewable energy.

Western Region Emerges as the Dominant Force in the Agrivoltaics Market

Western region is exerting its dominance in India agrivoltaics market. The western states have vast stretches of arid and semi-arid land with high solar irradiance which makes them ideal for dual-use systems that combine agriculture with photovoltaics energy production. The abundance of sunlight ensures optimal solar panel efficiency while the land's adaptability supports crops like millets, leafy vegetables and medicinal plants which thrive under partial shading provided by solar panels.

Moreover, government policies in these states further drive the adoption of agrivoltaics. For example, Maharashtra's renewable energy initiatives include subsidies and incentives under the PM-KUSUM scheme which encourage farmers to integrate solar energy with agriculture. Similarly, Gujarat focuses on farmer-friendly policies and technological innovations to promote agrivoltaics installations.

Furthermore, infrastructural readiness in these regions also plays a crucial role. Both states are leaders in India's renewable energy sector, backed by well-developed solar parks and expertise in solar technology. The robust foundation facilitates the expansion of agrivoltaics in both pilot and commercial sectors.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025 - FY2032F)

Supportive government policies and initiatives, such as the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (KUSUM) scheme, aim to promote decentralized solar generation capacities on agricultural land. This initiative facilitates the installation of grid-connected solar power plants, boosting agrivoltaics adoption.

Increasing emphasis on sustainability and dual land use for energy production and agriculture, which is expected to drive demand for agrivoltaics systems. These systems not only enhance crop yields by providing shade but also improve water use efficiency.

Innovations in agrivoltaics technologies, including dynamic systems that track sunlight and bifacial panels that capture solar energy from both sides, are enhancing the efficiency and feasibility of these projects.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Continuous innovation characterizes the landscape of the agrivoltaics market in India, as the companies compete to outperform one another in terms of solar energy efficiency, and unique features. The market prognosis remains positive, owing to increased demand for addressing climate challenges, and dual benefits for farmers. Agrivoltaics manufacturers are concerned with technological advancements, energy efficiency, and environmental practices, which will likely define the industry's future. Collaborations and developing technologies are projected to increase competition in this fast-paced market.

In January 2025, Waaree Energies Limited, one of the largest manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules in India, agreed to acquire 100% of Enel Green Power India Pvt Ltd (EGP India) from Enel Green Power Development S.R.L. The total consideration for this acquisition amounts to approximately USD 95.5 million.