Chittoor Agrivoltaic Project Combines Solar Power and Farming

Agricultural Coexistence in Chittoor District

In the Chittoor district, a new agrivoltaic initiative seeks to merge farming with power generation rather than displacing crops. Project Chittoor, launched by the Atria Group to demonstrate a well-rounded model for rural development, has deployed an agrivoltaic solar project at Thirumala Raju Puram (Palyam). This setup places field-integrated agrivoltaic systems directly above active farmland.

The elevated solar panels provide partial shading across the land. According to the reporting, this helps reduce heat stress and evaporation for select crops, ultimately boosting farm resilience during intense hot months. Each agrivoltaic block spans 1 to 1.5 acres and maintains an installed solar capacity of about 300 kW, which ensures that agricultural work continues uninterrupted beneath the panels.

Operating Costs and Shared Infrastructure Benefits

Beyond protecting crops from heat stress, the clean energy generated by these elevated structures feeds directly into shared agricultural infrastructure within farming clusters. Power runs borewells, pumps, cold storage units, dryers, and packhouses.

Sunder Raju, Chairman of the Atria Group, explained the financial mechanics of the project in a statement released on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Sunder Raju stated that this would reduce operating costs and lower dependence on grid power, adding that any surplus energy generated at the block level creates an additional revenue stream for local farmers.

Obstacles to Rooftop Solar and Greenfield Realities

While farm-integrated installations offer one pathway, shifting solar generation to residential rooftops is far from straightforward. Simon De La Rue, commercial director for the renewable energy company Little Green Energy, pointed out that numerous physical obstacles complicate putting panels on houses.

After reviewing the roof space on an applicant’s house, De La Rue noted that architectural features like dormer windows restrict usable roof area, which leaves room for fewer panels. Because labour, wiring, and access costs remain fixed regardless of array size, he argued that the levelised cost of energy climbs significantly while failing to cover the home’s total electrical demands.

Simon De La Rue, commercial director for Little Green Energy, stated that what everyone needs to examine is how to achieve that goal while simultaneously caring for and protecting the natural environment.

De La Rue also suggested that greenfield installations require careful, case-by-case evaluation. He maintained that planners should support low-impact infrastructure and implement strong planting policies around panels to protect local biodiversity, proving that sensitive development remains possible if managed properly.