Feasibility Study for Agri-Voltaic Energy Security in India

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name:Feasibility study for agri-voltaic energy security in India

This project assesses agrivoltaic feasibility in Nagpur Metropolitan Region, analyzing spatial suitability, policy frameworks, financial viability, and stakeholder perspectives.

By integrating solar energy with agriculture, it enhances energy redundancy and supports India’s decarbonization goals.

The study underscores agrivoltaics as a scalable, sustainable solution for energy security, promoting efficient land use and resilient infrastructure. Its findings provide a strategic foundation for advancing renewable integration and fostering long-term regional development.

Annual losses in
India’s power sector
$ 0 bn
Electricity generation
potential of agrivoltaic
systems
0 MW/hectare

Impact and Key Findings

1

Nagpur offers strong agrivoltaic potential with supportive policies, but financing, operations, and maintenance challenges hinder adoption. Stakeholders must address crop impact, land use, and ownership concerns to ensure scalable implementation and maximize sustainable energy and agricultural benefits. 

2

This research developed a land use suitability map, policy and finance pathways, and a robust assessment framework for agrivoltaics. Optimizing system configurations for local crops fosters sustainable energy transitions, enhances resilience, and unlocks significant rural development opportunities.

3

Scaling agrivoltaics requires pilot demonstrations to assess crop impacts, innovative finance models, clear partnership frameworks, and solutions for insurance and land ownership. Resolving these challenges will drive equitable energy transition in solar-rich regions like Nagpur, ensuring sustainable adoption. 

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.