In a bid to launch vertical solar farms across India, agrotech startup AgriVijay has partnered with German companies Next2Sun AG and Wattkraft India. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at REINVEST 2024, an event focused on showcasing India’s renewable energy potential. The agreement was signed in the presence of Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Miss Svenja Schulze, and key representatives from the German Embassy and GIZ, marking a significant move to scale agrovoltaics projects across the country.
Agrovoltaics, also known as agrivoltaics, is an approach that combines agricultural activities with solar power generation. By installing solar panels above crops or on farming land, this system allows for the simultaneous production of food and renewable energy. Agrovoltaics enhances land use efficiency and helps reduce the environmental impact of farming while offering farmers a new source of income through energy production. Vertical solar farms, such as those being introduced by AgriVijay and its partners, further optimize space by using less land for solar installations.
The collaboration, valued at €100,000-€150,000, promises to boost India’s renewable energy output while introducing innovative vertical solar farms across India.
Agrovoltaics: A Revolutionary Integration
AgriVijay CEO Vimal Panjwani emphasized that integrating solar power into farmlands would not only help farmers produce food but also allow them to become energy producers, transforming agriculture into a dual-purpose activity.
With 60% of India’s population involved in farming, the initiative addresses a critical need for renewable energy while protecting arable land. This venture aligns with India’s vision of renewable energy innovation, contributing to ambitious Net Zero goals by 2070.
“This partnership aims to address the growing concerns over land usage in conventional solar installations, which often displace valuable agricultural land. By implementing Next2Sun’s innovative vertical bifacial Agri-PV systems, we will enable dual land use-allowing farmers to continue agricultural activities while also generating renewable energy.”
Impact of Vertical Solar Technology on Sustainable Development
By enabling dual land use, the vertical solar farms reduce competition for land between agriculture and renewable energy. This technology is especially vital for India, where land scarcity for farming remains challenging. The panels generate power from both sides, allowing the land underneath to remain available for crop cultivation. This innovation helps maintain food production while contributing to India’s renewable energy capacity, making it a crucial step toward achieving sustainability and clean energy production.
Sascha Krause-Tünker, CFO of Next2Sun AG, lauded the partnership as a benchmark for sustainable land use and energy production, reinforcing its potential to inspire widespread adoption of vertical bifacial solar technology. With pilot projects ranging from 100 kWp to 500 kWp, this collaboration promises scalable solutions for the future of India’s agriculture and energy sectors.
“With the support of both governments and the agricultural community, we are confident that these projects will set a new benchmark for sustainable development in India. We believe this will inspire others to adopt similar solutions and transform how we think about land use and energy production.”
Beyond environmental benefits, the project will create significant job opportunities in rural India. By blending agriculture with solar energy production, farmers can significantly enhance their incomes, making this partnership a transformative step toward sustainable development in India’s renewable energy landscape.
The partnership between AgriVijay, Next2Sun, and Wattkraft not only strengthens India-Germany ties in the renewable energy space but also emphasizes the importance of scalable, sustainable solutions in addressing global climate challenges. As the pilot projects gain momentum, the potential for widespread adoption of agrovoltaics in India is immense, setting a benchmark for the integration of agriculture and clean energy.
