PM-KUSUM 2.0 announcement likely soon; agrivoltaics to get dedicated component

Published 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · 3 min · 498 words

UPSC CSE Context

Why in News

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that PM-KUSUM 2.0 will be launched soon with a dedicated agrivoltaics component.

Syllabus Connection

GS Paper 3: Infrastructure, Energy, Agriculture; Government schemes for farmers.

Exam Relevance

Important for questions on renewable energy in agriculture, scheme design, and agrivoltaics as an emerging technology.

Core Issue

PM-KUSUM 2.0 to include agrivoltaics component.

Key Development

The second phase of PM-KUSUM will have a dedicated component for agrivoltaics, combining farming with solar power generation.

Stakeholders

• Small and marginal farmers
• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
• Cooperatives
• Panchayats
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• Industry stakeholders and researchers

Static Knowledge

High-Value Background

• PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) was launched in 2019 to promote solar energy in agriculture.
• The scheme has three components: installation of decentralized solar power plants, standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps, and solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps.

Concepts in Context

• Agrivoltaics is the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar photovoltaic power generation.

Dynamic Analysis

Economy

• Agrivoltaics can increase land productivity by generating additional income for farmers from solar power sales.
• Dedicated component may attract private investment in rural solar infrastructure.
• Potential to reduce agricultural power subsidies by promoting solar pumps and grid-connected solarisation.

Agriculture

• Need for crop-specific agrivoltaic designs to avoid yield reduction due to shading.
• Research on microclimatic effects of solar panels on crop growth is essential for diverse agro-climatic zones.
• Integration with existing irrigation practices could enhance water use efficiency.

Governance

• Scheme design must address land tenure issues, as farmers may not own land suitable for solar installations.
• Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms needed to assess agrivoltaic performance across regions.
• Coordination between MNRE and agriculture departments is crucial for effective implementation.

Science and Technology

• Agrivoltaic technology requires optimisation of panel height, spacing, and orientation for different crops.
• Research on bifacial solar panels and tracking systems could enhance energy generation without compromising agriculture.
• Data on crop yield and solar output from pilot projects can inform scaling up.
• Need for standards and certification for agrivoltaic systems to ensure quality.

Mains Value Addition

Arguments

• Agrivoltaics can address land scarcity for solar projects while preserving agricultural livelihoods.
• Dedicated component under PM-KUSUM 2.0 signals policy support for dual land use, but success depends on region-specific research.
• Focus on small farmers and FPOs can democratise benefits of renewable energy, but requires capacity building and financing.
• Integration of agrivoltaics with existing schemes like PM-KUSUM can accelerate rural energy transition.

Counterpoints

• Agrivoltaics may not be suitable for all crops, especially those requiring full sunlight.
• High initial costs and technical complexity may deter small farmers without adequate support.
• Lack of standardised designs and performance data could lead to suboptimal implementation.

Way Forward

• Establish regional agrivoltaic research centres to develop crop-specific and climate-appropriate designs.
• Provide financial incentives and subsidies for farmers and FPOs to adopt agrivoltaic systems.
• Develop clear guidelines and standards for agrivoltaic installations to ensure quality and safety.
• Promote pilot projects in diverse agro-climatic zones to generate data and build confidence.

Primary/reference source: Economy