MNRE Plans PM-KUSUM 2.0 with 10GW Agri-PV Push

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi recently announced the proposed PM-KUSUM 2.0 framework during the 4th National Agro-RE Summit held in New Delhi. According to industry and policy reports, the updated version of the scheme is expected to include a dedicated 10 GW Agri-PV component focused on integrating solar power generation with active agricultural land use.

The existing PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme already supports decentralized renewable energy deployment across the agricultural sector through standalone solar pumps, decentralized solar plants, and feeder-level solarization initiatives. The proposed Agri-PV addition expands the scope of the scheme toward land-sharing renewable energy infrastructure models.

What Is the Agri-PV Component Under PM-KUSUM 2.0?

The proposed Agri-PV component focuses on agrivoltaic deployment, a system where solar infrastructure is designed to coexist with farming activity on the same land. Under this model, solar panels are installed using elevated mounting structures or wider layout configurations that allow agricultural activity to continue beneath or around the project site. Unlike conventional utility-scale solar projects where land is primarily dedicated to power generation, Agri-PV systems are planned to support both cultivation and electricity generation simultaneously.

Project layouts may vary depending on:

• Crop type
• Terrain conditions
• Irrigation patterns
• Regional agricultural practices
• Accessibility requirements

How Agri-PV Differs From Conventional Solar Projects

Conventional ground-mounted solar projects are generally considered for generation density and electrical efficiency. In such projects, land is used exclusively for solar infrastructure.

Agri-PV projects require a different planning approach because agricultural access remains an operational requirement throughout the project lifecycle.

Compared to standard installations, agrivoltaic projects may involve:

• Elevated module structures
• Wider row spacing
• Crop-compatible layouts
• Access pathways for farming activity
• Region-specific engineering configurations

This creates additional design and execution considerations for project developers and EPC companies.

Why Agri-PV Is Important for Agricultural Regions

Large-scale solar deployment often requires significant land allocation, which becomes challenging in regions where agricultural land remains the primary source of economic activity.

In many states, productive farmland cannot be easily diverted for conventional solar parks because of cultivation dependency and land-use restrictions.

The Agri-PV model addresses this issue by allowing farming and solar power generation to operate within the same project area. Instead of converting agricultural land entirely for energy infrastructure, the approach supports dual land utilization.
The same land area can potentially support:

• Crop cultivation
• Solar power generation
• Rural electricity demand

This approach may help expand renewable energy capacity in rural regions without complete conversion of active farmland into dedicated power generation sites.

Connection With Feeder-Level Solarization

The proposed Agri-PV component also aligns with the broader direction of feeder-level solarization already being implemented under the PM-KUSUM Component C framework.

Agricultural feeders in many states experience high daytime electricity demand due to irrigation activity. Localized Agri-PV projects near these demand centers may support distributed power generation closer to rural consumption areas. The model also supports the broader objective of decentralized renewable energy deployment across agricultural areas.

Impact on Solar Developers and EPC Companies

For solar developers and EPC companies, the proposed framework introduces a different execution model compared to conventional ground-mounted installations.
Agrivoltaic deployment may require:

• Customized engineering layouts
• Elevated mounting systems
• Crop-sensitive project planning
• Wider infrastructure spacing
• Agricultural access management

Project implementation may also involve coordination between:

• EPC contractors
• Farmers
• State utilities
• Local authorities
• Regional implementation agencies

Infrastructure readiness, feeder integration, and decentralized energy management systems are also expected to become important aspects of rural solar project planning under the proposed framework.

Key Challenges and Implementation Considerations

Large-scale implementation of this scheme may involve several operational and infrastructure-related challenges.

Land and Crop Compatibility

Agrivoltaic systems must be planned in a way that allows farming activity to continue alongside solar infrastructure. Crop type, irrigation methods, seasonal farming patterns, and machinery access can all influence project design.

Possible Solution: Developers and EPC companies may need to adopt region-specific project designs based on local agricultural conditions, crop patterns, and farming practices. Elevated mounting structures, optimized row spacing, and crop-sensitive engineering layouts can help maintain agricultural access while supporting solar generation.

Higher Infrastructure and Installation Costs

Compared to conventional ground-mounted solar projects, Agri-PV systems may require elevated module structures, stronger foundations, and wider spacing between rows. These additional engineering requirements can increase material usage, structural complexity, and installation costs.

Possible Solution: Project costs may initially remain higher than standard ground-mounted installations because of additional steel structures and customized layouts. However, developers are likely to focus on selective deployment in areas where feeder connectivity, land availability, and agricultural compatibility already exist, rather than treating Agri-PV as a one-size-fits-all model.

Grid and Feeder Infrastructure Limitations

Many rural regions may require stronger feeder infrastructure and localized grid integration support to manage decentralized solar generation under Agri-PV deployment models. Existing rural electricity networks may not always be prepared for large-scale distributed solar integration.

Possible Solution: Infrastructure planning under PM-KUSUM 2.0 may need to include feeder strengthening, decentralized grid upgrades, and localized energy management systems. Projects developed near agricultural demand centers could also support more efficient feeder-level solarization.

Closing Perspective

The proposed 10 GW Agri-PV component under PM-KUSUM 2.0 reflects growing policy attention toward decentralized renewable energy systems that can integrate with existing agricultural activity.

The framework also highlights increasing interest in land-sharing solar infrastructure models within India’s rural renewable energy planning discussions.

As implementation details become clearer, stakeholders across the renewable energy and agricultural sectors will continue to monitor how the proposed framework develops across different states and operational environments. 

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