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Agrivoltaic Power Plant

Khare Energy Private Limited, a leading renewable energy company in India, has successfully implemented an innovative agrivoltaic power plant setup at Khargapur, Tikamgarh, MP, India. This unique project combines solar power generation with agricultural practices, offering a multitude of benefits to both the environment and the farming community.

Agrivoltaic Power Plant

Khare Energy Private Limited, a leading renewable energy company in India, has successfully implemented an innovative agrivoltaic power plant setup at Khargapur, Tikamgarh, MP, India. This unique project combines solar power generation with agricultural practices, offering a multitude of benefits to both the environment and the farming community.

Overview

Overview

The agrivoltaic power plant at Khargapur utilizes a network of solar panels strategically installed above the fields, allowing sunlight to penetrate through the gaps between the panels. This dual-purpose arrangement not only generates electricity but also enables farmers to continue their agricultural activities, leading to increased crop yield and improved soil health.

The agrivoltaic power plant at Khargapur utilizes a network of solar panels strategically installed above the fields, allowing sunlight to penetrate through the gaps between the panels. This dual-purpose arrangement not only generates electricity but also enables farmers to continue their agricultural activities, leading to increased crop yield and improved soil health.

Tenure

1 year (Nov-2022 to Oct-2023) and continuing

Location

Khargapur, Tikamgarh, MP, India

GPS

24.818603, 79.161423

Power Evacuation

Capacity

Capacity

2 MW (AC)

Tenure

1 year (Nov-2022 to Oct-2023) and continuing

Location

Khargapur, Tikamgarh, MP, India

GPS

24.818603, 79.161423

Power Evacuation

25 years PPA with state government Under PM-KUSUM-A

Capacity

2 MW (AC)

Key-Farming Activities

Sun Grazing

Goat and Cattle Farming with 70 animals

Sun grazing

Goat and Cattle Farming with 70 animals

Crops Under Solar Panel

Rabi Crops, Kharif Crops , Zayad Crops

Crops Under Solar Panel

Rabi Crops, Kharif Crops , Zayad Crops

Horticultural Crops

Naturally ventilated net house, Polyhouse

Horticultural Crops

Naturally ventilated net house, Polyhouse

Forestry

Fruit and other trees plantation

Forestry

Fruit and other trees plantation

Key Metrics and Outcomes

Key Metrics and Outcomes

 

The semi-shaded environment created by the solar panels has led to a noticeable increase in crop yield and quality. The saving in water has resulted in the possibility of additional crops in the summer season, increasing land use efficiency by up to 20%.

 

Reduced direct sunlight exposure has helped retain moisture in the soil, promoting better nutrient uptake and overall soil health.

 

The shade provided by the solar panels has minimized water evaporation from the soil, leading to a reduction in water consumption for irrigation purposes up to 50%.

 

The presence of solar panels has attracted pollinators, such as bees, contributing to improved pollination and biodiversity in the surrounding ecosystem.

 

The agrivoltaic power plant generates clean and renewable energy, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation of climate change.

 

Farm workers are utilized as solar O&M workers, leading to upskilling.

 

Animals experience better health with less maintenance.

 

Eight people are employed locally over the next 25 years, providing permanent local employment.

 

Micro-climatic and socio-economic benefits are yet to be measured.

 

The semi-shaded environment created by the solar panels has led to a noticeable increase in crop yield and quality. The saving in water has resulted in the possibility of additional crops in the summer season, increasing land use efficiency by up to 20%.

 

Reduced direct sunlight exposure has helped retain moisture in the soil, promoting better nutrient uptake and overall soil health.

 

The shade provided by the solar panels has minimized water evaporation from the soil, leading to a reduction in water consumption for irrigation purposes up to 50%.

 

The presence of solar panels has attracted pollinators, such as bees, contributing to improved pollination and biodiversity in the surrounding ecosystem.

 

The agrivoltaic power plant generates clean and renewable energy, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation of climate change.

 

Farm workers are utilized as solar O&M workers, leading to upskilling.

 

Animals experience better health with less maintenance.

 

Eight people are employed locally over the next 25 years, providing permanent local employment.

 

Micro-climatic and socio-economic benefits are yet to be measured.

Summary Table

Summary Table

Best Existing Business Cases of Agri-PV in India

Best Existing Business Cases of Agri-PV in India

Sl no.QueriesComments
1APV Plant capacity and location of the plantCom2 MW AC, KHARGAPUR, TIKAMGARH - 24.818603, 79.161423
2Crops grown under the APV plant (info regarding crops grown season wise would be beneficial)Rabi Crops - Wheat, SorghumZayad Crops - Green Gram (Agri), Brinjal (Horti)Kharif Crops - Corn (Agri), Chili (Horti)Goat farming (70 goats)
3Income/ha earned or expected from the APV plant4 Lakhs / annum
4Schemes & Subsidies through which the APV plant has been installedPM KUSUM-A 2 MW Solar Power Plant for power evacuationCollateral free bank loan from State Bank Of India 70%, 30% (Equity)No subsidy
5Area of land across which the APV plant has been installedCom2 MW AC, KHARGAPUR, TIKAMGARH - 24.818603, 79.161423
6Agricultural benefits - Continuity of farming after installing the APV plant8 Acre
7Agricultural benefits - Climate ResilienceYes
8Environmental benefits - Water usage efficiency after the APV installationsYes, less impact of high wind, low evaporation of water
9Environmental benefits - Soil health after the APV installationYes, almost 50% saving resulted due to APV. This water saving during Rabi resulted into possibility of showing Zayad crop which otherwise was not possible.
10Socio-economic benefits - Economic stability due to APVYes, farm labour is now permanently employed. Additional work at farm and solar farm resulted in hiring of additional resources such as Plant operators, security guard, panel cleaning and grass cutting labour etc.
11Socio-economic benefits - Employment generation due to APVA separate certification and consumer awareness are needed for crops grown under APV.
12Socio-economic benefits - Market sale of the crops grown under APVA separate certification and consumer awareness are needed for crops grown under APV.
13Socio-economic impact - Local acceptance of APVIt's created a lot of interest among local people. Now, more and more farmers who are installing PM KUSUM power plants are interested in APV.
14O&M practices undertaken and their impactThere are certain challenges with respect to panel cleaning at the height of 12 feet. However, on the positive side, water used for panel cleaning is fully utilized in farming activities.
15EPC practices undertaken during installation and its impactSpecial tools and structure designs were used to install APV plant. However, the extra efforts were worth the pain as now crop and energy are co-located on the same farm. We also used proprietary structure design which is under design patent.

Technical Parameters

Project Name INDRA SOLAR FARM
OwnerKHARE ENERGY PVT LTD
Type Of ProjectPM KUSUM-A
Project DeveloperNavin Khare and Manish Khare, Ward-08, V.P. – Khargapur, Tikamgarh Madhya Pradesh - 472115
EPCKhare Energy Pvt Ltd., 10-N, Sanchar Nagar, Indore - MP - 452016
Financing structure70% ( Bank Loan from SBI), 30% ( Equity)
Type of Agrivoltaic PlantElevated, Polyhouse mounted and Vertical Bi-Facial
GPS location24.818603, 79.161423

The Product

The Product

Nov-Mar (Rabi Season)

Wheat, Sorghumv

50% water saving, with same yield/acre

Nov-Mar (Rabi Season)

Wheat, Sorghumv

50% water saving, with same yield/acre

Apr-Jun (Zayad Season)

Grean Gram, Brinjal

50% water saving, Excellent yield

Apr-Jun (Zayad Season)

Grean Gram, Brinjal

50% water saving, Excellent yield

Nov-Mar (Rabi Season)

Corn, Chilli

Excellent Yield with good quality

Nov-Mar (Rabi Season)

Corn, Chilli

Excellent Yield with good quality

Conclusion

Conclusion

The agrivoltaic power plant setup at Khargapur, Tikamgarh, stands as a testament to the innovative potential of combining renewable energy with agriculture. This project demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of agrivoltaic systems in enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable energy practices, and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Khare Energy Private Limited's commitment to sustainable solutions has paved the way for a brighter future for the farming community and the environment.

The agrivoltaic power plant setup at Khargapur, Tikamgarh, stands as a testament to the innovative potential of combining renewable energy with agriculture. This project demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of agrivoltaic systems in enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable energy practices, and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Khare Energy Private Limited's commitment to sustainable solutions has paved the way for a brighter future for the farming community and the environment.