Agrivoltaic farming: A sustainable approach for climate-smart agriculture

Food security in India is increasingly getting threatened by climate change and the growing population. India is working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Integrating photovoltaics (PV) with agriculture has emerged as a viable option and has given rise to agrivoltaics (AV) which can prove as an innovative solution addressing land competition. Agrivoltaics is a technique that combines solar energy with farming. It offers multiple benefits such as increased agricultural yields, water conservation and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This paper explores agrivoltaics as a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) approach for Indian farmers and establish a sustainable and reliable model for the future. Agrivoltaics enables dual land use optimizing both food and energy production while mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. It helps improve resource efficiency ensuring a more resilient agricultural system. The potential of agrivoltaics is assessed using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis. This analysis provides information about its strengths such as land optimization and climate mitigation effects; weaknesses including high initial costs; opportunities, like policy support and technological advancements; and threats, such as land-use conflicts and limited awareness. Implementation of agrivoltaics in Indian agriculture can bring greater sustainability ensuring food security while contributing to clean energy goals. This review emphasizes use of agrivoltaics as a transformative solution for achieving climate resilience and sustainable development in India's agricultural sector.