What happened: farmer-led agrivoltaics pilot in Rajasthan

Kajodmal Jat from Kundanpura village (Bassi block, near Jaipur) runs a farmer-led agrivoltaics (also called agriPV or agrivoltaics) pilot in Rajasthan. The pilot uses roughly three acres for both agriculture and solar power generation, with the solar system described as capable of generating about 600 kW and feeding electricity into a local grid to support daytime irrigation power for about 250 farms.

The pilot’s motivation is to avoid the cultivation barriers reported with conventional ground-mounted solar panels in the area. Partial shading from panels is used so crops can still grow while the system produces electricity.

A technical challenge addressed in the pilot is retrofitting an operational solar plant. The approach described is to retrofit an inverter at a time, so remaining sections can continue producing electricity and reduce generation downtime and revenue loss.

Background and earlier position: why agrivoltaics is framed around microclimate and farming compatibility

Agrivoltaics is framed as a solar deployment approach where panels provide partial shading. Partial shading is described as reducing heat stress and evaporation and creating a more stable microclimate, especially for dry and arid conditions.

Related current affairs