In the heart of India, where the sun scorches fields and farmers often face the brunt of climate change, Anand Jain, an MTech graduate from IIT Roorkee, is rewriting the rulebook on sustainable agriculture.
On his 16-acre farm in Sagar, Anand has built India’s largest agrivoltaic solar plant, a pioneering fusion of organic farming and solar energy generation. His innovative model not only grows high-value crops like strawberries, lettuce, and broccoli, but also produces 25,000 units of electricity every day — all without sacrificing a single inch of fertile land.
“I am a farmer, and I couldn’t give up on my land,” says Anand. “So I thought, why not harvest the sun twice — for food and for power?”
Farming Beneath the Sun — Literally
Instead of the traditional ground-mounted solar panels, Anand raised his photovoltaic setup 11–13 feet high, allowing sunlight to nourish both plants and power lines. This dual-use agrivoltaic system shades crops during extreme heat, conserves water, and reduces soil evaporation — creating an ecosystem where technology and nature work in perfect harmony.
His farm is a rare sight: solar panels stretching overhead, vegetables flourishing below, and tractors moving freely thanks to smart spacing and design.
A Powerhouse for the Grid & a Beacon for the Nation
Backed by PM-KUSUM and 70% bank support, Anand’s ₹18 crore, 4.5 MW project is now feeding clean energy into the grid at ₹3.07/unit for the next 25 years. Recognised by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) and admired by clean-tech pioneers, Anand’s model is hailed as a blueprint for future-ready farming.
“Agrivoltaics is not just a farming method — it’s a lifeline for small farmers, and a solution to land-use conflicts from solar parks,” he explains.
One Man’s Vision, A Nation’s Inspiration
Once reliant on diesel pumps in a remote village, Anand’s transformation into a clean-energy farmer showcases the power of innovation, grit, and green thinking. His story proves that sustainability doesn’t need to come at the cost of productivity or profit.
As India races toward its 280 GW solar target by 2030, trailblazers like Anand Jain are leading the way — one sun-powered seed at a time.