PM-KUSUM 2.0 and Agrivoltaics: Next Solar Farming Phase
Why in the news
Minister Pralhad Joshi hinted that the second phase of PM-KUSUM will probably be announced soon, with agrivoltaics expected to become a formal part of it.
Key facts
- The first phase aimed at about 34,800 MW and ran until 31 March 2026.
- Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, spoke while previewing the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026.
- Agrivoltaics: panels raised or spaced out so crops and electricity come from one field.
- Pilots showed a field can retain 60-90% of what an open field yields, while also bringing power income.
PM-KUSUM first phase
| Component | What it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Decentralised grid-connected ground-mounted solar plants on fallow or barren land, each up to 2 MW; the DISCOM buys the power |
| B | Standalone solar pumps replacing diesel pumps |
| C | Existing grid-linked farm pumps converted to solar, which can also be done at feeder level |
- Started in 2019 and run by MNRE, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- Subsidy for B and C: 30% Centre, 30% state, 40% farmer; for the North-East, hill states and islands the split changes to 50-30-20.
What 2.0 could change
- A separate agrivoltaics component with standards for panel height and spacing and guidance on suitable crops.
- Bigger feeder-level solarisation, supplying daytime power to farmer clusters for the least subsidy.
- Easier funding for the 40% farmer contribution, the part slowest to be taken up.
Related solar schemes
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): rooftop panels for one crore households, up to 300 units of free electricity monthly, costing nearly Rs 75,000 crore.
- PM Surya Sarovar Yojana: solar plants floating on water bodies; 5,000 MW at a cost near Rs 5,070 crore.
- National Solar Mission (2010), under the NAPCC: India’s solar capacity climbed from roughly 3 GW (2016) past 160 GW by mid-2026.
Exam angle
- Nodal ministry: MNRE; scheme started in 2019 with three components, A, B and C.
- Crops suited to agrivoltaics: shade-tolerant leafy greens, spices, medicinal plants, fodder and certain fruit; cereals and sugarcane are usually unsuitable.
- Component A already allows stilt-mounted plants, yet no separate standard or incentive exists for agrivoltaics.