- Department of New and Renewable Energy and Indo-German Agrivoltaic Project will work together
German company GIZ will collaborate in the development of agri-solar PV in the region
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav’s intention to promote agro solar energy production in the region has achieved yet another achievement. Chief Minister Dr. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and exchanged between the Department of New and Renewable Energy, Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited and German Government supported Indo-German Agri Voltaic Cooperation Project (IGCA) in the presence of Yadav on Monday at Mantralaya, Bhopal. Agrivoltaic is an organization created to promote the combined use of agriculture and solar energy. The aim is to encourage in-situ solar energy production along with cultivation on agricultural land, thereby reducing the need for additional land, maintaining food security and avoiding land disputes. The German company will support the government in this work. This initiative will help develop specific agrivoltaic infrastructure in the state in line with various schemes including PM-KUSUM 2.0, increase farmers’ income, improve land use vigilance, strengthen security of produced energy and promote climate-friendly rural development. This non-binding MoU will remain in effect until May 2030. New and Renewable Energy Minister Mr. Rakesh Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary New and Renewable Energy Department Mr. Manu Srivastava, Project Director Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited Mr. Amanvir Singh Bains, Officials of German Embassy in India, Mr. Alexander from Agri Voltaic Organization, Officials of GIZ Company of Germany were present on this occasion.
Government will provide subsidy to farmers under Agri Solar PV. By this, farmers will be entitled to ownership of their land. Farmers will cultivate the land and will also earn additional income by installing solar panels in the same field. This will be a double gift for the farmers.
Under this mutual partnership between the State Government and the Indo-German Agri-Voltaic Collaboration Project, the company will cooperate in the identification, technical and economic evaluation, design, financial feasibility and implementation of agri-voltaic projects. Under this, capacity building and awareness programs will also be organized for the farmers of the region, farmer producer organizations, power developers, distribution companies (Discoms) and other relevant stakeholders. The company will also assist in developing appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks to safeguard agricultural productivity and food security in the state.