National Roundtable Conference on Agri-Renewables

The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) together with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) organised the National Roundtable on Agri-Renewables in India: A Double Engine Growth Strategy on 23rd August at Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Hon’ble Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Lalit Bohra, in his keynote address mentioned that by combining agriculture and renewable energy sources and reaping their mutual benefits, farmers may be able to enhance agricultural income in addition to lowering family expenses. He also said in his speech that in addition to immediately enhancing land use, agri-renewables may also help in increasing the amount of energy required for farming, reducing water losses, and properly utilizing water while also adding an income source to the farmers.

IGEF and NSEFI launched the report "Legal Aspects of Agri-Photovoltaics in India" together with the chief guest and other guests. In addition, the Agrivoltaics website by NSEFI and IGEF, a one-stop source for all information about AgriPV in India was also launched.

Agri-Renewables and several organizations' experiences were discussed throughout the workshop, including ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, SunSeed APV, SunMaster, Fraunhofer Institute of India, and Shakti Pumps.

Speakers pointed out that the economics of using renewable energy to generate power from the agriculture sector will be a win-win situation. This method will address several problems at once, including climate change, the Food-Energy-Water Nexus, and increasing farmers' income.