Agrivoltaics — Solar + Agriculture

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3–5 m

Panel Height Above Ground

What is Agrivoltaics?

Solar Panels Elevated
Above Working Farmland

Agrivoltaics — also called agro-photovoltaics — is the practice of co-locating solar photovoltaic panels and agricultural production on the same parcel of land. Rather than dedicating land exclusively to energy or food, agrivoltaic systems use elevated mounting structures that let farmers cultivate crops in the shaded space directly beneath the modules.

For farmers across Rajasthan, this means a single plot can generate two streams of income: reliable revenue from solar power fed to the grid, and continued revenue from crop sales — both from the same land, simultaneously.

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Elevated Mounting at 3–5 m Panels sit high enough for tractors and harvesters to pass underneath freely

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Shade-Tolerant & Partial-Shade Crops Carefully selected varieties thrive under partial solar shade with higher quality yields

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Dual Income from a Single Plot Solar tariff payments from discom + crop sales — without sacrificing either

How It Works

Four Pillars of an
Agrivoltaic System

Each element is engineered to maximise both energy generation and agricultural productivity on the same land.

1

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Elevated Mounting Structures

Galvanised steel frames raise panels to 3–5 metres above the soil, allowing standard agricultural machinery including tractors and drip-irrigation rigs to operate beneath without obstruction. Inter-row spacing is designed to match your farm layout.

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Shade-Tolerant Crop Selection

FGPS Solar's agronomy partners help select crops that perform optimally under 20–40% shade — vegetables, leafy greens, herbs, spices, and certain cereals that actually benefit from reduced direct radiation during peak summer months in Rajasthan.

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Water Conservation by Design

Panels reduce soil-surface evaporation by 20–30%, lowering irrigation water requirements. Rainfall captured from panel surfaces can be redirected to drip systems — compounding water efficiency. Especially impactful in arid Rajasthan summers.

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Livestock Grazing Compatible

Where crop cultivation is seasonal, grazing livestock such as goats and sheep can utilise the shaded under-panel area comfortably. The microclimate created by panels keeps animals cool, reducing heat stress and improving productivity year-round.

Why Agrivoltaics

Six Compelling Reasons
to Go Agrivoltaic

Agrivoltaics deliver value to farmers that no other single investment can match — combining energy security, income diversification, and land stewardship.

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Dual Income Stream

Earn solar tariff revenue from the grid while continuing to harvest crops below. Two income sources from the same land means your land works harder for you every single day — rain or shine.

Revenue Diversification

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Water Conservation

Agrivoltaic panels reduce soil evaporation by 20–30% compared to open-field farming. In water-scarce Rajasthan, this directly reduces your irrigation costs and dependence on groundwater.

20–30% Less Evaporation

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Crop Protection from Heat Stress

Partial shade provided by elevated panels moderates temperature extremes for crops beneath. Studies show shade-tolerant crops under agrivoltaic systems can yield higher quality produce due to reduced heat and UV stress during peak summer.

Improved Crop Quality

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PM KUSUM Scheme Eligible

Agrivoltaic installations on agricultural land qualify under the Government of India's PM KUSUM scheme, providing subsidies of up to 60% on system cost — dramatically reducing the capital investment required for farmers.

Up to 60% Subsidy

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No Land-Use Conflict

Unlike conventional solar farms that permanently remove land from agriculture, agrivoltaic systems have zero land-use conflict. Agricultural operations continue uninterrupted underneath the elevated panels throughout the system's 25-year life.

Zero Land Sacrifice

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Farmer Empowerment

A stable, predictable solar revenue stream — often backed by 25-year power purchase agreements — provides farmers financial security independent of monsoon variability, crop price swings, and other agricultural risks.

Stable Monthly Income

Suitable Crops

Crops That Thrive
Under Solar Panels

Decades of agrivoltaic research identifies these crops as well-suited to partial shade conditions — many actually benefit from reduced radiation during Rajasthan's intense summers.

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Leafy Vegetables

Spinach, methi, palak, lettuce — prefer cooler, shaded conditions

High Yield

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Herbs & Spices

Coriander, mint, ajwain — thrive in filtered light with moisture retention

High Value

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Berries & Small Fruits

Ber (Indian jujube), amla — tolerate shade, increased berry quality

Premium Market

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Medicinal Plants

Aloe vera, ashwagandha, tulsi — prefer shade; high market value

Growing Demand

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Root Vegetables

Radish, carrot, beetroot — benefit from cooler soil temperatures

Year-Round

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Legumes & Pulses

Moong, moth bean — nitrogen fixation also benefits soil health

Soil Enriching

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Cereals (Partial)

Bajra, jowar can grow under wider-spaced panels with 40%+ irradiance

Staple Crops

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Fruiting Vegetables

Tomatoes, brinjal, okra with drip irrigation under elevated panels

Cash Crop

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Onion & Garlic

Short-duration crops fitting between panel rows, minimal shade impact

High Demand

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Floriculture

Marigold, rose — high-value flowers with shade-adapted varieties

Premium Value

Government Scheme

PM KUSUM Scheme —
Solar Power for Farmers

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme is the Government of India's flagship programme to provide energy security to farmers through solar power, with substantial subsidies making agrivoltaic systems affordable for small and marginal farmers.

Component A

Decentralised Solar Power Plants

Installation of small solar power plants of 500 kW to 2 MW capacity on barren or agricultural land by individual farmers, cooperatives, or panchayats. Power is sold to discoms at a fixed tariff for 25 years.

10 GW Target

Component B

Standalone Solar Pumps

Replacement of diesel irrigation pumps with solar-powered pumps for individual farmers. Eliminates diesel costs entirely, providing free daytime irrigation with surplus power available for sale.

20 Lakh Pumps

Component C

Grid-Connected Solar on Farmland

Solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps. Farmers solarise their existing pumps and sell surplus solar power to discoms — directly applicable to agrivoltaic setups across Rajasthan's agricultural zones.

15 Lakh Pumps

Who is Eligible?

PM KUSUM is designed to be accessible to India's entire farming community, with priority given to small and marginal farmers in water-stressed regions like Rajasthan.

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Individual farmers with agricultural land of any size

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Farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives

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Panchayati raj institutions with community farmland

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Water user associations and irrigation cooperatives

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Farmers in Rajasthan near 33/11 kV substations

60%

Government Subsidy

30% Central Government + 30% State Government subsidy on system cost. Farmers typically fund only 40% — often via low-interest agricultural loans. FGPS Solar handles all documentation and subsidy filing on your behalf.

Project Showcase

Agrivoltaic Projects
by FGPS Solar

View All Projects →

Agrivoltaics Solar panels over vegetable farm, Sikar, Rajasthan

📍 Sikar, Rajasthan

Sikar Vegetable Agri-Solar Farm

250 kW elevated agrivoltaic system over 3 acres of mixed vegetable cultivation. Spinach, methi, and tomato yields maintained at 88% while generating solar revenue for the farmer's cooperative since 2023.

250 kWSystem Capacity

3.8 L/yrSolar Revenue

PM KUSUM

Agrivoltaic installation with medicinal herbs, Nagaur

📍 Nagaur, Rajasthan

Nagaur Medicinal Herb Agrivoltaic

500 kW system funded 60% under PM KUSUM Component A. Ashwagandha and aloe vera thrive beneath elevated panels, with the partial shade improving alkaloid concentration in ashwagandha — a premium quality uplift.

500 kWSystem Capacity

60%PM KUSUM Subsidy

Livestock Compatible Solar panels with sheep grazing beneath, Barmer

📍 Barmer, Rajasthan

Barmer Livestock-Solar Integration

1 MW agrivoltaic system where goat and sheep herders utilise the cool, shaded under-panel area for livestock during extreme summer months. Dual revenue from solar tariff and livestock sales on the same 8-acre plot.

1 MWSystem Capacity

8 acresFarm Area Used

Will solar panels reduce my crop yield?

For shade-tolerant and partial-shade crops, yield reduction is minimal — typically 5–20% for most varieties, and some crops such as leafy greens, herbs, and medicinal plants actually yield better under the moderated conditions agrivoltaic panels create. FGPS Solar's agronomy team helps select the right crop mix for your specific panel density and spacing, ensuring your agricultural income remains strong alongside solar revenue.

How high are the panels above the ground?

Standard FGPS Solar agrivoltaic structures mount panels at 3 to 5 metres above ground level. This is sufficient clearance for most agricultural machinery, including tractors with standard attachments (ploughs, rotavators, spray booms) and manual harvesters. For farms with taller equipment or specific row requirements, we customise the mounting height and inter-row spacing during the site assessment at no extra charge.

Am I eligible for the PM KUSUM scheme?

Most Indian farmers with agricultural landholdings are eligible for PM KUSUM. Key eligibility criteria include ownership or long-term lease of agricultural land, proximity to a 33/11 kV substation (within 5 km for Component A), and willingness to enter a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the state discom. FGPS Solar handles the entire PM KUSUM application process — from eligibility verification and documentation to subsidy disbursement follow-up — at no additional fee.

How is system maintenance handled on an active farm?

FGPS Solar provides a comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for all agrivoltaic installations. Our technicians schedule panel cleaning and inspections to coincide with sowing and harvest cycles, minimising disruption to your farming operations. Panel cleaning — critical for maintaining output in dusty Rajasthan conditions — is performed using semi-automated brush systems compatible with your crop rows. Remote monitoring via our app gives you real-time generation data and alerts.

What are the economics — how quickly does it pay back?

With PM KUSUM subsidies reducing upfront cost by up to 60%, typical agrivoltaic systems in Rajasthan achieve payback in 4 to 6 years — after which solar revenue is near-pure profit for the remaining 19+ years of the system's lifespan. A 250 kW system on a 3-acre farm generates approximately ₹3.5 – 5 lakh per year in solar tariff revenue, in addition to maintained crop income. Over 25 years, the combined financial return typically exceeds 3–4x the initial system cost, even accounting for maintenance expenses.

Also From FGPS Solar

Agrivoltaics —
Solar + Agriculture

Solar Panels Elevated
Above Working Farmland