Agrovoltaic & Precision Farming

Programme Overview

Our Climate Resilient Agriculture Programme integrates Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV) technology with AI and IoT-enabled precision farming systems to optimise dual land use — generating clean energy while enhancing crop yields, soil health, and farmer incomes. By elevating solar panels above agricultural land, the programme simultaneously produces renewable electricity and creates favourable growing conditions for shade-tolerant crops.

Why This Programme Matters

Indian agriculture faces converging pressures: extreme weather variability, depleting groundwater, rising input costs, and stagnant farmer incomes. At the same time, India has ambitious renewable energy targets requiring large-scale land deployment. Agrovoltaics solves both challenges on the same land — making it one of the most economically and ecologically efficient interventions available to the climate-agriculture nexus.

Ecopreneure has deployed Agri-PV systems in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, with a pipeline exceeding 40 MW, supported by carbon finance under Japan's Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).

Key Focus Areas

Technology & Innovation

The programme deploys a multi-layer technology stack: elevated solar arrays are designed for optimal crop growing conditions below; IoT sensor networks monitor soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and crop health in real time; AI analytics platforms process data streams to generate actionable recommendations for irrigation, fertilisation, and pest management; and drone-based monitoring provides aerial insights across large farm tracts.

Implementation Model

Ecopreneure partners with state governments, agricultural departments, and farmer cooperatives to identify suitable land parcels and eligible beneficiaries under PM Kusum and allied schemes. Project design is tailored to local crop varieties, soil types, and market linkages. Technical implementation is managed end-to-end — from feasibility assessment and engineering design through to commissioning, monitoring, and carbon credit issuance. Long-term O&M training for local technicians ensures operational sustainability.

Climate & Environmental Impact

Agrovoltaic systems generate clean electricity displacing fossil-fuel-based grid power. Reduced soil evaporation and improved microclimate conditions can lower irrigation demand significantly. Carbon credits generated under JCM and domestic mechanisms provide ongoing climate finance for programme expansion.

Stakeholders & Beneficiaries

Smallholder and marginal farmers · State Agricultural Departments · Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) · PM Kusum implementing agencies · Japan JCM partner institutions · Multilateral Development Banks · Rural communities in project districts

Expected Outcomes

• Clean energy generated from dual-use agricultural land
• Improved crop yields and farmer incomes under agrovoltaic systems
• Reduced agricultural water consumption through precision irrigation
• Verified carbon credits under JCM and domestic climate finance mechanisms
• Strengthened farmer capacity in precision agriculture and clean energy
• Scalable replicable model for agrovoltaic development across India