In a significant step towards promoting clean energy and sustainable agriculture, the Parliamentary Committee on Estimates, chaired by Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, MP, conducted a field visit to the Sunmaster Agrivoltaics Plant at Issapur, Najafgarh. The visit, organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), aimed to assess the implementation of two flagship government schemes — PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The site visit provided committee members with a first-hand understanding of agrivoltaics technology — an innovative solution that enables dual land use by combining solar power generation with agricultural cultivation. This approach not only boosts land productivity but also strengthens farmer incomes and energy access in rural India.
Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary, MNRE, welcomed the delegation and delivered a detailed briefing on PM-KUSUM’s objectives and outcomes. He underscored the scheme’s role in ensuring both food and energy security while empowering farmers with sustainable power solutions.
A comparative analysis between ground-mounted solar systems and stilt-based agrivoltaic structures was presented, demonstrating the superior land-use efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the latter. These insights reaffirmed agrivoltaics as a key enabler of the government’s clean energy and agricultural goals.
The committee members also engaged with local farmers to hear about their experiences and the transformative impact of solar technology on their livelihoods. The interactive session highlighted increased awareness and enthusiasm among farmers about adopting renewable energy practices.
Further, in a symbolic gesture of environmental stewardship, Dr Jaiswal and committee members participated in a tree plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. A tractor ride with local farmers added a personal touch to the committee’s engagement, strengthening the connection with the rural community.
In his closing remarks, Dr Jaiswal praised the MNRE and associated stakeholders for their coordinated efforts. He emphasised the potential of agrivoltaics to bridge the energy-agriculture divide and called for further studies to explore its scalability and expand its benefits to farmers across the nation.
