India Hosts AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi to Promote Clean Energy and Farmer Income

India inaugurated the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi, bringing global experts together to explore combining agricultural production with renewable energy and improving farmers’ incomes.

India Hosts AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi

Global AgriVoltaics Conference Begins in India

The seventh edition of the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 commenced on October 21 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The three-day international event marks the first time the conference is being hosted in the Global South, highlighting India's growing role in discussions on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is hosting the conference with support from Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV). The event has been organised in partnership with Conexio-PSE under the theme “Powering the Global South.”

The conference brings together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives and agricultural stakeholders to examine how agricultural land can support both food production and clean-energy generation.

AgriVoltaics Supports the Vision of Empowering Farmers

The conference reflects the vision of “From Power to Empower”, associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader approach to rural development and clean energy. The initiative seeks to expand farmers’ opportunities by enabling them to become not only food producers, or Annadatas, but also renewable-energy producers, or Urjadatas.

Agrivoltaics involves the combined use of land for agriculture and solar power generation. Solar panels can be installed above or alongside crops, allowing agricultural activities and electricity production to take place on the same land.

This approach can create additional income opportunities for farmers while supporting India's renewable-energy transition. However, successful implementation depends on factors such as crop selection, panel design, sunlight availability, water management and local farming conditions.

Government Highlights Clean Energy and Rural Entrepreneurship

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that India's transition towards cleaner energy is creating new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship and strengthening long-term economic resilience.

He also called on international stakeholders to expand agrivoltaics solutions that can help increase farmers’ incomes. The approach is expected to encourage cooperation between governments, research institutions, energy companies and agricultural communities.

The opening ceremony featured addresses by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi.

Their participation highlighted the connection between agricultural development, renewable-energy deployment and farmer welfare.

Three Key Knowledge Resources Launched

Three resources were introduced during the conference to support policy development, practical decision-making and knowledge exchange in agrivoltaics.

1. AgriPV Policy Handbook

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched the AgriPV Policy Handbook. The resource is intended to contribute to discussions on policy approaches for combining agricultural activities with solar-energy infrastructure.

2. Agrivoltaics Decision-Making Tool

The India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA) introduced a Decision-Making Tool to support stakeholders in assessing and planning agrivoltaics projects.

Such tools can help inform decisions on project suitability, land use and the integration of agricultural and energy-generation activities.

3. Book of Abstracts

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) released the Book of Abstracts, bringing together research and technical contributions related to agrivoltaics.

These resources aim to strengthen knowledge sharing and support the development of practical solutions for different agricultural and regional conditions.

More Than 1,200 Delegates Participate

The conference has attracted more than 1,200 delegates, including over 150 international participants. The gathering provides a platform for experts and stakeholders to exchange experiences, discuss emerging technologies and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Key discussion areas include crop productivity under solar panels, policy frameworks, financing mechanisms and farmer-focused business models. Participants are also examining how land can be managed to meet food-production needs while contributing to clean-energy generation.

Financing and business models are particularly important because farmers need economically viable arrangements that account for installation costs, agricultural returns and the long-term operation of solar infrastructure.

Agrivoltaics Offers Opportunities for Agriculture and Renewable Energy

Agrivoltaics could help address the challenge of balancing agricultural land use with growing demand for renewable electricity. By enabling farming and solar power generation on the same land, the approach may create additional revenue streams and encourage investment in rural energy infrastructure.

Its benefits will depend on project design and local conditions, making research, suitable policies and farmer participation essential for wider adoption.

The AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 provides an international platform to explore these opportunities and identify practical approaches for the Global South.

Conclusion

India’s hosting of the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 highlights the growing importance of integrating agriculture with renewable energy. Through international collaboration, policy development and farmer-centric business models, the conference aims to advance solutions that support clean-energy expansion, rural entrepreneurship and sustainable agricultural development.