The 7th AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 opened at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Hosted in the Global South for the first time, the gathering focuses on integrating food production and renewable energy, linking agricultural security with energy self-reliance and sustainable development.
The three-day conference is hosted by the New and Renewable Energy Ministry, with support from Germany’s environment ministry and in partnership with Conexio-PSE. Its programme centres on the theme Powering the Global South.
The ministry connected the event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of using energy to empower communities. His message highlighted opportunities for farmers to produce clean power alongside food. It called on researchers, international partners and industry to develop agrivoltaic approaches that can support farm incomes and rural enterprise while advancing clean energy. These were presented as opportunities requiring cooperation, suitable finance and long-term planning.
Day 1 began with a ceremonial opening and remarks by New and Renewable Energy Secretary Santosh K. Sarangi. A conference film introduced the themes and context of the gathering.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed the opening. German minister Carsten Schneider sent a video message, and Ambassador Jasper Wieck delivered closing remarks. Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik also attended.
The opening introduced an India Agrivoltaics Alliance decision tool, the International Water Management Institute’s abstracts collection and an MNRE AgriPV policy handbook. These resources support the conference’s discussion of implementation and policy.
Participation exceeded 1200 delegates, including more than 150 from abroad. Researchers, policymakers, companies, startups and development organisations joined the platform for technical exchange and South–South cooperation.
An India-focused track runs alongside two scientific tracks. Sessions cover crop performance, State initiatives, policy, finance, deployment and climate resilience, with attention to business models designed around farmers’ needs.
A startup and innovation platform includes the AgriVoltaics Pitch Hub. It connects emerging clean-technology developers with investors and industry, giving participants a place to present solutions and explore commercial collaboration.
Delegates discussed how using land for both crops and power could support rural enterprise, livelihoods and resilience. Potential benefits include protection of crop microclimates and additional income opportunities. The programme treats these outcomes as reasons to examine agrivoltaic designs and their practical application in rural India.
The discussions also connect solar power with precision cultivation, smarter irrigation and digital tools. This combination brings technical choices and innovative business models into the farming debate, with the aim of supporting sustainable production.
The 7th conference is intended to extend international cooperation around these approaches. Its wider focus is the development of resilient food and energy systems through shared research, policy and implementation experience.