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Agrophotovoltaics (AgriPV)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

AgriPV addresses critical interdisciplinary issues relevant to UPSC, including sustainable agriculture, farmer income augmentation, food security vs. energy security trade-offs, efficient land-use planning, climate change adaptation (through microclimate benefits), and the practical challenges of scaling up renewable energy solutions in India.

Agrophotovoltaics (AgriPV) is an innovative land-use practice that combines agricultural cultivation with solar power generation on the same land. This dual-use approach aims to optimize land productivity, enhance farmer income, and contribute to renewable energy targets while addressing potential land-use conflicts between food production and energy generation.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Dual Land Use

Simultaneous agriculture and solar power generation on the same plot of land.

Microclimate Benefits

Partial shading from panels reduces heat stress and evaporation, creating a more stable microclimate beneficial for crops, especially in arid regions.

Economic Augmentation

Diversifies farm income, potentially increasing annual returns significantly (e.g., ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh per acre) compared to traditional farming.

High Capital Costs

Elevated mounting structures add substantial upfront costs (e.g., ~₹35 lakh over conventional solar), posing a barrier for smallholder farmers.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaRenewable & Clean Energy
Conceptual areaAgricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual areaWelfare Schemes & Social Policies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)Researches and pilots agripv models
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)Potential provider of credit guarantees for financing
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)Responsible for policy formulation and oversight of renewable energy schemes
State Distribution Companies (DISCOMs)Purchases electricity generated from agripv plants
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Combines agriculture and solar power on the same land.
  • Reduces heat stress and evaporation for crops.
  • Increases farmer income and land-use efficiency.
  • Faces high capital costs and financing hurdles.
  • Requires streamlined policy and implementation support.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana': I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential s...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India. 2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport. 3. Goa has the...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps. 2...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements: 1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silic...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity. Consider the following statements: 1. If pure hydroge...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements: 1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity b...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Renewable & Clean EnergyAgricultural Policies & Supply ChainsWelfare Schemes & Social Policies
Prelims 2014· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements: 1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity b...

Open question
Prelims 2015· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity. Consider the following statements: 1. If pure hydroge...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements: 1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silic...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps. 2...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India. 2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport. 3. Goa has the...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana': I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential s...

Open question

Sowing the seeds of a solar power intervention

23 Aug 2026 · Agrophotovoltaics (AgriPV) integrates solar power generation with crop cultivation on the same land, offering benefits like increased farmer income, improved microclimates for crops, and efficient land use, but faces high capital costs and policy implementation challenges.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Agrophotovoltaics (AgriPV)

Often confused with

Viability Gap Funding (VGF)

Open notesOften confused with

PM-KUSUM Scheme

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Agrophotovoltaics (AgriPV) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Agrophotovoltaics (AgriPV)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements: 1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity b...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements: 1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silic...

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: 1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps. 2...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements : 1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion. 2. It can be blended w...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Gujarat has the largest solar park in India. 2. Kerala has a fully solar powered International Airport. 3. Goa has the...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana': I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential s...

2025·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity. Consider the following statements: 1. If pure hydroge...

2015·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following: 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Di...

2024·Science & Technology
Solve

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