Odisha Bets on Sun and Soil: Agro-Photovoltaics Pilot to Redefine Farming in Koraput

Bhubaneswar: Imagine a farm where solar panels rise above rows of crops, turning barren spaces into power stations and traditional fields into sources of dual income. That’s the vision behind Agro-Photovoltaics (APV) — and Odisha is stepping forward to make it a reality.

At the SunKranti APV 2025 Summit held in Bhubaneswar, stakeholders from government, research, and grassroots organizations gathered to discuss a transformative idea: farming and solar power generation side by side, on the same piece of land.

The summit marked the official announcement of Odisha’s first community-led APV pilot, soon to be launched in Koraput district, with technical guidance from ICRIER. While implementation is yet to begin, the project has already captured the imagination of many — offering the promise of higher farmer incomes, sustainable land use, and decentralized clean energy.

“This model has the potential to be a ‘third crop’ for farmers,” said Surama Padhy, Speaker, Odisha Legislative Assembly. “By integrating APV with existing schemes like PM-KUSUM, we can create lasting impact. But it starts with awareness.”

The potential for integrating APV with fisheries, livestock, and water conservation was also discussed, with Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, calling it a “rural development multiplier.”

Why Agro-Photovoltaics, and Why Odisha?

Agro-Photovoltaics allows simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar power generation — a dual approach that’s ideal for India’s smallholder farmers, who face shrinking landholdings and climate-related risks. By adding solar panels to their farms, they can grow food and earn energy-based income without sacrificing either.

Odisha, with over 300 sunny days annually and a solar irradiance of 5.3 kWh/m²/day, is perfectly placed to pioneer this concept. Already home to 2,938 MW of renewable energy capacity (21% from solar), the state aims to ramp up to 7.5 GW of solar energy by 2030 — making APV a natural fit.

“Odisha is set to implement a pilot project on renewable energy, which includes Agro-Photovoltaics as a key component,” said Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Odisha.

“Agro-Photovoltaics is a brilliant idea, but it must be approached with practical research,” said Vishal Kumar Dev.  “We need to identify crops that perform well under partial shade, understand community needs, and build capacity on the ground.”

He added, “We are keen to take this concept forward in Odisha and explore its potential to transform the future of sustainable agriculture and energy convergence.”

Laying the Groundwork in Koraput

The upcoming Koraput pilot, a collaboration between Passing Gifts, ICRIER, and local farming communities — will be the state’s first community-led attempt at APV. With tribal farmers at the center, the initiative will explore how solar infrastructure can co-exist with traditional cropping patterns, enhancing land-use efficiency and creating new income streams.

“Koraput offers a unique testbed,” said Akshaya Biswal, Program Director, Passing Gifts. “Our goal is to empower Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to take the lead, ensuring that the transition is inclusive and bottom-up.”

The summit also highlighted how APV aligns with climate resilience goals. “Agro-Photovoltaics can double farmers’ incomes, but it calls for innovation in traditional practices,” said Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Gulati, Professor, ICRIER.

“This is not just about energy or agriculture,” said Gulati.  “It’s about creating holistic rural systems that are economically viable and ecologically balanced. But we must prepare farmers for the behavioral shift this innovation requires,” he added.

Passing Gifts, which currently works in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Koraput, is expanding its rural development work — which includes backyard poultry, goat rearing, and spice value chains into the Agri-Photovoltaics space.

“At Heifer, we believe that caring for the Earth is critical to sustainable development,” said Neena Joshi, Senior Vice President, Heifer International. “Agri-Photovoltaics presents a compelling solution to the intertwined challenges of food security, energy access, and climate change.”

As Odisha prepares to roll out its first APV pilot, the spotlight is firmly on inclusivity, research, and scalability. The success of this model could set the tone not just for the state, but for India and South Asia at large.

“SunKranti is more than a summit,” said Rina Soni, Executive Director, Passing Gifts. “It’s a call to action — a platform where energy and agriculture meet, where policy meets people, and where innovation meets the grassroots.”