Solar Technology in Agriculture

Chayanika Nath & Banasmita Barman

Abstract:

Solar technology is revolutionizing agriculture by providing clean, renewable energy for irrigation, farm machinery, cold storage and daily operations. Shifting from fossil fuels to solar-powered solutions helps farmers reduce operational costs, improve efficiency and lower carbon emissions worldwide. Key innovations such as solar-powered irrigation pumps, greenhouse heating systems, pest management tools and off-grid energy supplies increase agricultural productivity and support resilience, especially in areas with unreliable electricity access. Solar irrigation, exemplified by India’s PM-KUSUM scheme, offers substantial energy savings and income opportunities by enabling farmers to sell surplus power. Solar greenhouses extend growing seasons and reduce energy costs by utilizing both active and passive solar heating. Solar pest management reduces reliance on chemical pesticides. Off-grid solar mini-grids empower remote farms, promoting rural electrification and productivity. Additional applications include solar-powered livestock water pumps, monitoring systems, agrivoltaics combining crop cultivation and power generation and solar refrigerators combating post-harvest losses. Government incentives and financing models, such as those in India and the US, have been pivotal in making solar technology accessible to small and marginal farmers. Collectively, these solar innovations not only advance sustainable farming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also strengthen rural economies and food security. The future of agriculture increasingly depends on harnessing solar energy to foster resilience, environmental stewardship and economic viability.