Maharashtra Plans 1,071 MW Solar Projects to Power 300,000 Farmers

Solar energy projects are increasingly being developed on agricultural land, with efforts to balance energy production and farming needs through approaches like agrivoltaics, which allow for simultaneous food and solar energy production. In Maharashtra, India, a government initiative aims to commission 1071 MW of solar power projects to supply uninterrupted daytime electricity to farmers, enhancing agricultural productivity while reducing carbon emissions. Similarly, in the United States, Jack’s Solar Garden in Colorado demonstrates how solar panels can be configured to enable crop growth and livestock grazing beneath them, representing a model for sustainable dual land use. In the UK, large-scale solar farms are planned on agricultural land near Leicestershire and Bury St Edmunds, with projects designed to generate significant renewable energy capacity while incorporating ecological benefits and allowing for sheep grazing under panels. These developments highlight a global trend toward integrating solar power with agriculture, optimizing land use to meet food and clean energy demands concurrently. The projects also emphasize environmental stewardship, community benefits, and long-term renewable energy contributions.