7th Agrivoltaics World Conference Inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

21 October 2026, New Delhi

The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today, bringing together policymakers, researchers and experts to advance the integration of solar energy generation with agricultural production.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, delivered the keynote message during the opening ceremony, emphasising the need to develop flexible agrivoltaic (AgriPV) models suited to the requirements of small and marginal farmers. He assured the collaboration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to advance research and promote the adoption of AgriPV technologies. He also stressed the importance of developing evidence-based crop matrices tailored to the weather conditions and agricultural requirements of India's 15 agro-climatic zones.

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, also emphasised the need for strong collaboration between MNRE and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to advance agrivoltaics in the country.

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and Director General, ICAR, highlighted ICAR's contributions to AgriPV research at Jodhpur and New Delhi. He called for expanding the role of agrivoltaics in agri-food systems by utilising the country's 1.4 million farm ponds and the extensive bund areas in agricultural fields, particularly in southern India. He also underscored the potential of integrating AgriPV with agroforestry and animal husbandry to promote diversified and sustainable farming systems. Further highlighting its benefits, Dr Jat noted that AgriPV can contribute to microclimate regulation, water harvesting and carbon credit generation.

Dr D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, chaired a scientific track session at the conference. He emphasised the need to develop suitable crop matrices for different agro-climatic zones, taking into account local weather parameters and the shade tolerance of various crops. Such evidence-based approaches are essential for identifying suitable crop–solar panel combinations that support agricultural productivity alongside renewable energy generation.

A publication titled Policy Handbook on Agrivoltaics in India, jointly contributed by MNRE and ICAR, was released during the event, marking an important step towards strengthening the policy framework for agrivoltaics in India.
Senior ICAR officials, scientists and students from the ICAR Centre of Excellence on Agri-Photovoltaics also participated in the conference, contributing to discussions on research, technology development and the integration of renewable energy with sustainable agricultural practices.

The conference highlighted the importance of coordinated research, evidence-based policy development and inter-ministerial collaboration in advancing agrivoltaics as an approach to strengthen agricultural systems, support farmers' livelihoods and promote the sustainable use of land and solar energy resources in India.