Climate Solutions: Khare Energy Pvt. Ltd. (Agrivoltaics pilots in MP)

In this short interview, Khare Energy takes us through two of their agrivoltaics pilots in Madhya Pradesh – at Indra Solar Farm and at Adarsh Jeevan Agrivoltaic Farm – and shares a few key learnings for climate funders.

 

 

 

1. Indra Solar Farm, Khargarpur, Madhya Pradesh 
 

What is your vision for this pilot?

 

The Indra Solar Farm pilot in Khargarpur is a 16-acre agrivoltaic innovation lab, demonstrating the scalability of integrated renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. This unique project combines solar power generation with horticulture, animal husbandry, and diverse agricultural structures such as polyhouses, net houses, and vermicomposting units. By optimising land use and showcasing a multi-functional agrivoltaic model, it serves as a blueprint for large-scale adoption, enhancing farm productivity, rural livelihoods, and energy security.

 

 

Wheat Farming in Agrivoltaics. Source: Indra Solar Farm, Khargapur, MP

 

 

What is unique about your model?

 

The Indra Solar Farm in Khargarpur, spanning 16 acres, is Central India’s first agri-PV (agri-photovoltaics) project, commissioned on 18 November, 2022, under the PM KUSUM-A scheme. This agrivoltaic innovation lab integrates solar power generation with diversified agriculture and allied activities, setting a benchmark for sustainable land use. 

 

The model features elevated solar panels (12 feet), horticultural farming, animal husbandry, vermicomposting, and multiple structures like polyhouses and net houses, enabling year-round productivity. Unlike conventional solar farms, it optimises land utilisation while promoting rural livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture. Located in Madhya Pradesh, the farm serves as a scalable demonstration site, driving the adoption of agrivoltaics across India through its research-driven, multi-functional approach.

 

 

Two key learnings from this pilot

 

• Pioneering agrivoltaics under PM KUSUM-A: As the first agrivoltaic project commissioned under PM KUSUM-A in Central India, Indra Solar Farm has set a new benchmark for integrated renewable energy and agriculture. The 16-acre single-site pilot successfully combines solar power with diversified farming activities, demonstrating a scalable and replicable model for dual land use.
• Multi-functional land utilisation: Featuring four different agricultural structures (polyhouses, net houses, open farming, and vermicomposting), the farm has experimented with multiple crops and completed two full growing cycles, refining best practices for crop selection, irrigation, and microclimate adaptation under solar panels. Additionally, the co-location of cows, goats, and buffaloes beneath the elevated panels has enhanced soil fertility, provided natural weed control, and generated additional income, proving agrivoltaics can be a holistic and economically viable solution for sustainable rural development.

 

 

One message for funders looking at this space

 

Agrivoltaics is a high-impact, scalable solution, but its success lies in the details. Funders should focus on elevated solar designs (10-12 feet) that allow seamless integration of agriculture and energy generation without compromising yields. Crop selection, irrigation strategies, and farmer involvement are critical to long-term viability. 

 

Avoid viewing agrivoltaics as just another solar project—it’s a dual-use system that requires deep agricultural insights. The design must support local materials and traditional farming practices to ensure cost-effectiveness, farmer acceptance, and long-term sustainability. The sector needs data-driven models, policy advocacy, and financing innovations to scale effectively. Investors must step up with patient capital, R&D support, and long-term commitment to unlock agrivoltaics’ full potential.

 

 

 

2. Adarsh Jeevan Agrivoltaic Farm in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh 
 

What is your vision for this pilot?

 

This pilot at Adarsh Jeevan Agrivoltaic Farm aims to demonstrate the scalability of agrivoltaic systems by integrating renewable energy generation with sustainable agriculture. This initiative showcases the potential for large-scale deployment, enhancing farm productivity, energy security, and rural livelihoods.

 

 

 

Strawberries in Agrivoltaic. Source: Adarsh Jeevan Solar Farm, Sagar, MP

 

 

What is unique about your model? How is it different from your first pilot?

 

Commissioned on 1 February, 2025, under the PM KUSUM-A scheme, this pilot is a 16-acre agrivoltaic project located in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. It builds on the success of Khare Energy Pvt. Ltd.'s (KEPL) first agrivoltaic pilot, operational since 8 November, 2022, further refining the model for large-scale deployment. The project features elevated solar panels at 12 feet, allowing the cultivation of 13+ different crops (horticultural and agricultural) while supporting vermicomposting and organic farming beneath the panels. As KEPL’s second agrivoltaic power plant, it makes Madhya Pradesh the only state in India to host two agrivoltaic projects. With sustainability as its core priority, this pilot optimises land use, enhances farm income, and strengthens rural energy security, positioning agrivoltaics as a scalable and climate-resilient solution for agriculture and renewable energy integration.

 

 

Two key learnings from this pilot

 

• Optimised agrivoltaic design for diverse crops: The pilot demonstrated that elevated solar panels at 12 feet enable successful cultivation of 13+ different crops, balancing both agricultural productivity and solar efficiency. It also highlighted the importance of crop selection based on sunlight requirements, leading to best practices in agronomic planning under agrivoltaic setups.
• Integration of organic farming and soil health management: The incorporation of vermicomposting beneath the panels not only maximised land use but also improved soil fertility and moisture retention. A key learning was the need for adaptive irrigation techniques to optimise water usage while maintaining high crop yields, addressing one of the major challenges of agrivoltaic farming in semi-arid regions.

 

 

 

Stay updated about Khare Energy’s work by visiting their website.
 

Want to learn more about funding opportunities for agrivoltaics? Write to us at solutions@indiaclimatecollaborative.org.