Kolkata institute develops rooftop agri-voltaic system combining solar power with urban farming

#Kolkata institute develops rooftop agri-voltaic system combining solar power with urban farming

The proposed system aims to help homeowners generate electricity while continuing to grow vegetables and plants on the same rooftop.

A Kolkata-based renewable energy research institute has developed a rooftop agri-voltaic system designed to let homeowners generate solar power while growing vegetables and other plants beneath the solar panels.

The technology has been developed by the NB Institute for Rural Technology (NBIRT). According to the institute, the system uses transparent solar cells mounted on elevated structures, allowing sunlight to pass through to crops below while simultaneously producing electricity.

The concept addresses one of the biggest challenges of rooftop solar installations in cities—limited space. Conventional rooftop solar panels often occupy areas that could otherwise be used for kitchen gardens or small-scale farming. The proposed agri-voltaic design seeks to combine both uses on the same roof.

Speaking to The Times of India, solar power expert S.P. Gon Chaudhuri, Chief of NBIRT, said the technology is intended to make rooftop spaces more productive rather than forcing homeowners to choose between food production and renewable energy. The institute also said it plans to provide technical guidance to people interested in adopting the system once it is ready for deployment.

The announcement comes as governments across India continue to promote rooftop solar installations through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which offers financial assistance for eligible residential rooftop solar systems. In West Bengal, the scheme is expected to support wider adoption of distributed solar power.

Although the NBIRT system is designed primarily for rooftops, it reflects the broader concept of agrivoltaics—combining agriculture with solar energy generation on the same land or structure. The approach has gained attention worldwide as countries look for ways to expand renewable energy without reducing productive farming space.

For now, the project remains at the development stage. NBIRT has not announced commercial pricing, electricity generation performance, installation costs or a timeline for large-scale deployment. Those details will determine how practical the technology becomes for homeowners interested in producing clean energy while maintaining rooftop gardens.