Problem
India is undergoing a rapid energy transition, but knowledge gaps remain in integrating renewable energy generation and storage technologies. This is especially important given the rapid rise of emissions in India. With 2.8 billion metric tons of CO2 emitted in 2022, it was ranked the third largest emitter globally. The energy and heat production sector alone contributes to over 50% of the total CO2 emitted.
Land availability constraints threaten the scale-up of solar infrastructure, and the adoption of energy storage, which is critical for decarbonization, lags due to limited data and weak policy incentives. Clean energy projects often lack access to rigorous, localized research and actionable policy guidance.
Solution
CSTEP conducts cutting-edge research and policy engagement to support India’s clean energy transition. By assessing emerging technologies and informing regulatory decisions on agrophotovoltaics and co-located energy storage, CSTEP can help India scale solar capacity while minimizing land conflict and strengthening grid resilience.
Agrophotovoltaics Feasibility Study: CSTEP will evaluate the potential for agriPV deployment in the semi-arid Western Ghats. This includes identifying suitable crop–solar configurations, developing a roadmap for integrating agriPV into utility transmission plans and designing viable farmer-centric business models. The research will lay the foundation for policy incentives such as targeted subsidies and developer generation bonuses, addressing both land use challenges and rural income generation.
Techno-Economic Analysis of Co-located Storage: CSTEP will quantify the costs, benefits, and value proposition of coupling energy storage with renewable projects. It will also generate case studies to demonstrate implementation at the state level and engage directly with policymakers to shape future tenders. This work will accelerate the uptake of co-located storage—currently incentivized in only two Indian government tenders—by showing how it enhances grid stability and renewable utilization.
Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy's Impact
Founded in 2005, CSTEP is a leading Indian think tank focused on sustainable development through energy, environment, and technology research. It collaborates extensively with state and national governments and has served as a technical advisor for action plans in Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. CSTEP’s modeling and policy insights have informed India’s R&D roadmap and COP26 negotiations.
It is one of the earliest Indian institutions to work on agrophotovoltaics and renewable storage. With deep technical expertise and a systems approach, CSTEP is well-positioned to catalyze the deployment of clean energy technologies and reduce emissions across India’s power sector.
FAQs
What is agrophotovoltaics (agriPV), and why is it relevant for India?
Agrophotovoltaics involves the simultaneous use of land for both solar energy generation and agriculture. In a land-constrained country like India, agriPV offers a promising solution to balance food and energy needs by allowing dual land use, particularly in semi-arid regions. It can improve rural livelihoods and support the country’s renewable energy targets without displacing farming activity.
How does CSTEP contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
By enabling the adoption of more efficient and scalable renewable energy technologies, CSTEP’s work directly supports the decarbonization of India’s power sector, which is currently the country’s largest source of CO₂ emissions. The insights it generates can lead to improved regulation as well as more investment in clean energy infrastructure.