Agrivoltaics in Tamil Nadu: Dual Land Use for Farming and Energy

Dual Land Use for Farming and Energy: Tamil Nadu stands at the forefront of India’s renewable energy revolution, and a new transformation is underway at the intersection of solar power and agriculture—agrivoltaics. This innovative system allows farmers to produce both food and clean electricity from the same land area, maximising productivity and sustainability. With experiments initiated by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and local renewable firms, agrivoltaics is helping farmers gain dual income streams while supporting Tamil Nadu’s renewable energy targets.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Solar Energy Meets Agriculture

Agriculture and solar energy are often viewed as competitors for land, but agrivoltaics bridges this divide. Also known as Agri-PV or Agro-Photovoltaics, this approach integrates photovoltaic (PV) panels above farmlands, allowing crops to grow below while generating electricity overhead.

In Tamil Nadu—a state where over 60% of land is agricultural and sunshine lasts for more than 300 days annually—agrivoltaics represents a perfect synergy. It promises to solve two pressing challenges simultaneously: rural energy access and farmer income stability.

What is Agrivoltaics?

Agrivoltaics (from agri- for agriculture and -voltaics for solar energy) involves co-locating solar panels within farmlands in an elevated or strategically spaced manner, enabling simultaneous crop growth and power generation.

How It Works

Elevated Structures: Solar panels are installed 8–10 feet above the ground, allowing tractors, workers, and sunlight to pass.
Tilt and Spacing Optimization: Panels are aligned to ensure partial shading for crops while basking in peak solar radiation periods.
Energy Utility: The electricity generated can be used for irrigation systems or sold to the grid, providing farmers with consistent revenue.

This dual-use system transforms farming into a climate-smart, energy-generating ecosystem, boosting both yields and incomes.

Why Agrivoltaics Matters in Tamil Nadu

Land Scarcity: Tamil Nadu has limited available land for new solar installations due to industrial expansion and urbanization. Agrivoltaics optimizes existing agricultural land for solar use.
Rising Irrigation Costs: As electricity tariffs rise and fuel prices fluctuate, solar-based energy shields farmers from financial vulnerability.
Climate Challenges: With frequent droughts and high temperatures, partial shading from solar setups reduces evaporation, enhancing soil moisture retention.
Government Goals: Tamil Nadu aims to add 25 GW of new solar capacity by 2030, including decentralized AgriPV systems.

Agrivoltaics in Action: Tamil Nadu’s Pilot Projects

1. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) Initiative – Coimbatore

TNAU launched its first Agro-photovoltaic research field in August 2025 to scientifically evaluate crop compatibility under solar canopies.

System Capacity: 100 kW pilot site.
Key Crops Tested: Tomato, spinach, chili, groundnut, and okra.
Findings:
- Crops like spinach and beans adapted well under 40% solar shading.
- Water savings of approximately 20–25% compared to open fields.
- Soil maintained higher moisture and microbial activity beneath panels.

The project forms part of TNAU’s broader study on Agrophotovoltaics for Sustainable Farming and Decentralized Energy, supported by MNRE and ICAR researchers.

2. Auroville Consulting’s Cost-Benefit Model

A cost-benefit analysis by Auroville Consulting found that agrivoltaic setups in Tamil Nadu could reduce distribution company (DISCOM) costs by 43% per kW, while farmers gained 30–40% more annual income through leasing and energy sales.

Their research indicated that decentralized AgriPV clusters around Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram could provide:

Dual income for farmers (leasing land + crop revenue).
Up to 0.8 MW capacity per acre using elevated-slab solar systems.
Improved grid reliability for agricultural feeders.

3. Private-Sector Partnerships: Khare Energy & Local Farmers

In partnership with Tamil Nadu-based cooperatives, Khare Energy, an Indore-based renewable developer, is setting up pilot agrivoltaic farms in Cuddalore and Tiruchirappalli districts.

Using adjustable-height solar frames to maintain sunlight regulation for sensitive crops.
Systems capable of powering drip irrigation networks and small cold storage units.
Expected to boost farm productivity by 15–20% while generating 120–130 MWh annually.

Technological Aspects and Design Features

1. Panel Layout and Height

Panels are typically elevated 2–3 meters to facilitate full agricultural machinery movement.
Tilt angles (15–25°) are adjusted seasonally for optimal sunlight exposure.

2. Suitable Crops

Shade-tolerant and partial-sunlight crops thrive best under agrivoltaic conditions.
Examples: spinach, coriander, chili, turmeric, basil, tomatoes, and green gram.

3. Water Conservation Benefits

Partial shade reduces evaporation, and rainwater runoff from solar structures can be harvested into irrigation ponds. Advanced AgriPV systems in Tamil Nadu also integrate microdrip irrigation powered directly from photovoltaic energy.

4. Tracking and Automation

Modern AgriPV sites use single-axis tracking panels that align with sunlight. In some TNAU testbeds, AI-based trackers optimize yield by analyzing soil humidity and crop growth rates.

Economic and Social Impacts

Dual Income Streams

Modern agrivoltaic systems generate dual income:

Crop Revenue: Continued cultivation on leased or owned farms.
Solar Income: Selling electricity through feeder aggregation or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Farmers in pilot AgriPV projects have witnessed annual income increases of ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 per acre, surpassing earnings from traditional mono-cropping.

Rural Job Creation

According to Auroville Consulting’s Powering Tamil Nadu’s Economic Growth report, deploying agrivoltaic systems could create thousands of rural jobs—especially in installation, maintenance, and agri-data monitoring.

Empowering Women Farmers

Tamil Nadu’s rural women’s self-help groups (SHGs) play a vital role in maintaining AgriPV systems—monitoring irrigation, managing sales, and cultivating high-value crops beneath solar panels.

Environmental Benefits

Reduced Water Footprint:
Shading reduces evapotranspiration, ensuring up to 30% water savings per hectare.
Temperature Regulation:
Solar canopies moderate surface temperatures, preventing heat stress and maintaining soil fertility.
Biodiversity Support:
Pollinator-friendly agrivoltaic layouts create natural microclimates ideal for beekeeping and floriculture.
Carbon Reduction:
Each 1 MW AgriPV installation offsets roughly 1,100–1,400 tons of CO₂ annually.

Integration with State and National Policies

PM-KUSUM Synergy

Though agrivoltaics is not directly part of the PM-KUSUM scheme, it aligns closely with its goals of energy independence and agricultural resilience.

Farmers owning barren land can lease it for agrivoltaic projects.
Tamil Nadu’s adoption under PM-KUSUM’s Component A aims to generate 1–2 MW decentralized solar power through AgriPV.

Tamil Nadu Renewable Energy Mandate

The Tamil Nadu Solar Policy 2019 (amended 2024) now encourages solar projects integrated with agriculture and allied sectors, targeting 12% renewable capacity addition at feeder level by 2030.

Institutional Support

TNAU Coimbatore: Research and training in agrivoltaic design.
National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI): Established the India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA) to standardize best practices and policy advocacy.

Tamil Nadu’s Agrivoltaic Model: The “Sun-Food Nexus”

Experts describe Tamil Nadu’s approach as the “Sun-Food Nexus”—where local communities balance energy harvesting and food production without compromising either.
The model emphasizes small-scale farmer-owned microgrids that feed nearby villages. These solar-agro clusters can collectively power rural infrastructure including:

Milk chilling units.
Crop drying sheds.
Cold chains for perishable goods.

This integrated energy-agriculture ecosystem ensures both energy self-sufficiency and market access for Tamil Nadu’s farming community.

Challenges Facing Agrivoltaics in Tamil Nadu

High Initial Capital Cost
AgriPV setups cost ₹45–55 lakh per MW—about 10–15% higher than standard solar farms.
Technical Know-How
Farmers require technical training for maintenance and power management.
Policy Gaps
While pilot funding exists, Tamil Nadu lacks a clear AgriPV-specific subsidy structure.
Land Ownership Complexity
Small fragmented landholdings necessitate cooperative or cluster-based solar farming models.

Opportunities Ahead

Despite the challenges, agrivoltaics holds transformational potential:

Scalability: Agricultural feeders across Tamil Nadu’s 38 districts can integrate AgriPV with irrigation networks.
Export Potential: Locally developed AgriPV systems could be replicated in arid regions across Asia and Africa.
Technological Partnerships: Startups and academic institutions can jointly accelerate design innovation—especially in solar-tracking, irrigation, and soil AI analytics.

Case Study: Agrivoltaic Pilot in Villupuram

In 2024, a 250 kW AgriPV pilot farm near Villupuram cultivated chilies and leafy greens beneath elevated PolyPerc solar modules.

Electricity Generated: 3.8 lakh kWh annually.
Crop Yield: Nearly identical to control fields, despite 30% less water.
Farmer Revenue: Increased by 32%, due to electricity sales to the local grid and reduced water use.

This case demonstrated the feasibility of combining solar infrastructure with Tamil Nadu’s smallholder cropping patterns.

The Future Vision: Smart Agrivoltaics 2030

By 2030, Tamil Nadu aims to become India’s model state for smart agrivoltaics, with hybrid installations managed by AI-driven monitoring systems and community networks.

Upcoming Innovations:

Floating AgriPV: Combining water bodies and solar irrigation systems to optimize space.
Agri-Storage Hubs: Farmers will soon store excess energy using rural battery banks.
Sensor-Integrated Solar Grids: Real-time feedback loops to monitor plant health and optimize sunshine exposure.

These measures will allow Tamil Nadu to stay ahead in both food and power security, positioning it as a hub for sustainable techno-agriculture.

Read Also: post-harvest preservation solar

Conclusion

Agrivoltaics symbolizes a new era of resource efficiency in Tamil Nadu. This dual-use practice converts farms into renewable energy producers while protecting them from the effects of climate change. Projects led by TNAU, Auroville Consulting, and Tamil Nadu’s Green Mission underscore the power of integrating science, sustainability, and rural empowerment.

As agrivoltaic systems expand from pilot to mainstream, Tamil Nadu is set to redefine how land, light, and livelihood interconnect—illuminating a path toward a resilient, prosperous, and energy-secure rural future.

FAQs

Q1. What are agrivoltaic systems?
These are dual-use systems that combine solar panel installations with crop cultivation, enabling power generation and farming simultaneously.

Q2. How does agrivoltaics benefit Tamil Nadu farmers?
They earn dual income—from agriculture and solar energy sales—while saving water and improving soil conditions.

Q3. Which crops grow well under agrivoltaic systems?
Shade-tolerant crops like spinach, chili, tomatoes, turmeric, coriander, and legumes perform best.

Q4. What is the biggest challenge for adoption?
High upfront investment and lack of clear subsidy mechanisms limit large-scale deployment.

Q5. Which organisations are leading agrivoltaic research in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and Auroville Consulting are key players in research and implementation.