TERI Showcases Research and Tools to Accelerate Agrivoltaics Deployment in India

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has unveiled new research reports and practical tools to accelerate the deployment of agrivoltaics (AgriPV) in India during a thematic session at the World Sustainable Development Summit 2026.

Agrivoltaics, which integrates solar photovoltaic systems with agricultural land, is emerging as a key solution to address land-use challenges, expand clean energy capacity, and support rural livelihoods. TERI’s work focuses on combining field research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement to enable scalable and responsible implementation of AgriPV systems.

During the session titled “Accelerating AgriPV in India: From Pilots to Policy-Led Scale-Up,” TERI launched multiple initiatives, including:

• Two Responsible Agri-PV Baseline Assessment Reports based on field studies in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana
• An Agri-PV DPR Framework to guide project development
• An AgriPV Business Model Selection Tool to support decision-making

The baseline reports provide insights into site conditions, crop compatibility, and implementation practices, while the DPR framework offers structured guidance on technical, financial, and environmental parameters to develop bankable projects. The digital tool enables stakeholders to evaluate business models and identify suitable project configurations based on local conditions.

Addressing the event, Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, emphasized the importance of policy clarity and market transparency in scaling emerging renewable technologies. He highlighted that predictable demand signals, transparent bidding mechanisms, and confidence-building for distribution companies (DISCOMs) are critical for the growth of agrivoltaics.

In a special address, A.K. Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, underscored the need for evidence-based crop research to ensure that agrivoltaic systems maintain agricultural productivity alongside energy generation.

Key discussions during the session highlighted that agrivoltaics can optimize land use by addressing the food–energy–land nexus, while farmer-centric business models, long-term agronomic research, and supportive policy frameworks will be essential for large-scale adoption.

Experts also noted that beyond clean energy generation, AgriPV has the potential to enhance farmer incomes, improve climate resilience, and expand energy access in rural areas, making it a critical component of India’s renewable energy transition.