India Hosts 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 in New Delhi

India is hosting the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026 from 21 to 23 October at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event marks the first time the global conference is being held in the Global South.

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, in partnership with Conexio-PSE.

Agrivoltaics and Dual Land Use

Agrivoltaics, also known as AgriPV, refers to the combined use of the same land for agricultural production and solar photovoltaic power generation. Solar panels can be installed above crops or on farmland while cultivation continues beneath or around them.

The design of an agrivoltaic system depends on factors such as panel height, spacing, crop selection, water management and access for agricultural machinery.

The conference theme is “Powering the Global South.” Discussions focus on crop productivity, policy frameworks, financing models and farmer-centred business models that combine food production with clean energy generation.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised the need for policies that address the practical requirements of small and marginal farmers, who account for over 85% of India’s farming community, according to the supplied report.

Conference Participation and Resources Launched

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan jointly inaugurated the conference on 21 October 2026.

More than 1,200 delegates, including over 150 international participants, are attending the hybrid event, which supports both in-person and online participation.

Three resources were launched during the opening ceremony:

1. AgriPV Policy Handbook: Released by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
2. Decision-Making Tool: Launched by the India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA).
3. Book of Abstracts: Released by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

These resources support policy development, informed decision-making and knowledge-sharing in the agrivoltaics sector.

India’s Policy Context: PM-KUSUM

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is a Government of India scheme that promotes solar energy use in agriculture.

Its components include decentralised solar power plants and the solarisation of agricultural pumps. The scheme is relevant to efforts to expand renewable energy access in farming. Any future expansion of agrivoltaics under the scheme will depend on official policy decisions and applicable guidelines.

Important Facts for Competitive Exams

• Conference: 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026
• Dates: 21–23 October 2026
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
• Theme: “Powering the Global South”
• Host Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Agrivoltaics: Combining agriculture and solar photovoltaic power generation on the same land
• Decision-Making Tool launched by: India Agrivoltaics Alliance (IAA)
• Agricultural solar scheme: PM-KUSUM
• Book of Abstracts released by: International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
• Inaugurated by: Pralhad Joshi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan