View Project

1. Manufacturing of SS-AV and RC-PV Modules:

o Develop and produce high-efficiency SS-AV modules that cater to both energy and agricultural needs (TRL 7).

o Design and develop Radiative Cooling integrated Photovoltaics (RC-PV) cool roofs for livestock farming (TRL 3).

2. Deployment of SS-AV Pilots:

o Establish SS-AV and RC-PV cool roof pilot projects on a kilowatt scale, optimizing urban and periurban spaces for dual use.

o Implement a 33 kW SS-AV pilot plant for protected cultivation, enhancing agricultural productivity and energy generation.

o Set up a 33 kW RC-PV cool roof for livestock farming to monitor and reduce thermal stress compared to conventional PV systems.

3. Development of a Comprehensive Technical Report:

o Conduct a thorough techno-economic analysis of the SS-AV and RC-PV cool roof systems.

o Compile findings into a detailed report for stakeholders planning to adopt these technologies for Smart City and Village projects.

This pioneering project endeavors to revolutionize the agricultural sector by integrating cutting-edge solar energy technologies with enhancements in both agricultural and livestock productivity. By deploying Solar Sharing Agrivoltaics (SS-AV) and Radiative Cooling-integrated Photovoltaics (RC-PV) cool roofs, the initiative seeks to significantly boost energy efficiency, increase crop yields, and improve animal welfare.

Aligned with India's goals to double farmers' income and advance carbon-neutral farming, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this project offers a comprehensive and forwardthinking approach to sustainable agriculture. The SS-AV technology, developed by CSIR-NIIST and currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, incorporates advanced optical solutions such as tunable ray spreading and spectral conversion. These innovations are designed to adapt to a variety of crop heights and Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) requirements, thereby enhancing photovoltaic coverage and energy production while simultaneously reducing water evaporation and heat stress on crops.

In parallel, climate change poses a significant challenge to livestock productivity by exacerbating heat stress (HS). Addressing this issue, the development and deployment of RC-PV cool roof technology, currently at TRL 3, aims to reduce heat stress in livestock. This is achieved by creating a cooler environment through the innovative use of radiative cooling, which leverages the cold sink of outer space. This technological integration not only alleviates thermal stress on both photovoltaic systems and animals but also enhances electricity generation, thereby contributing to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.

By implementing these advanced SS-AV and RC-PV cool roof solutions, the project aims to set a global benchmark for carbon-neutral farming, establishing new standards for performance and sustainability and offering a model replicable for future agricultural innovations worldwide.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased agricultural productivity and energy generation through SS-AV technology.

• Reduced thermal stress and enhanced livestock productivity via RC-PV cool roofs.

• Comprehensive guidelines and data for stakeholders to adopt SS-AV and RC-PV technologies.

The deployment of SS-AV and RC-PV technologies will yield significant impacts:

• Increased Agricultural Productivity and Energy Generation: By optimizing land use, SS-AV technology will simultaneously boost agricultural output and energy production, supporting India's goal to double farmers' income.

• Reduced Thermal Stress and Enhanced Livestock Productivity: RC-PV cool roofs will mitigate heat stress, a critical issue in livestock farming, thereby improving animal welfare and productivity.

• Comprehensive Guidelines for Adoption: The project will produce detailed data and guidelines, assisting stakeholders in adopting these technologies, thus setting global benchmarks for sustainable agriculture.