Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge

The Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge is a grant program run by EarthON Foundation in partnership with SwitchON Foundation. It aims to boost the adoption of agrivoltaic systems—where solar panels are co-located with crop cultivation—to improve land productivity, optimize water use, and create extra income for farmers through clean energy.

India has significant potential for agrivoltaics, but real-world demonstrations and farmer-led models are scarce. This challenge bridges that gap by supporting grassroots experimentation. Selected participants get up to ₹15 lakhs to establish and showcase viable agrivoltaic models, plus access to a larger ₹2 crore implementation grant pool for scaling successful pilots.

Beyond funding, the program offers structured virtual training, technical advisory for system design and crop optimization, ecosystem networking, and help setting up micro-demonstration systems in priority states. The goal is to build practical evidence for scalable agrivoltaic approaches, empowering farmer groups and renewable energy innovators to co-develop affordable, climate-resilient solutions for small and marginal farmers.

The application process includes registration, shortlisting, detailed review, and final selection. Applicants can apply via the provided link.

• Up to ₹15 lakhs grant per selected participant.
• Access to ₹2 crore implementation grant pool for scaling.
• Two tracks: Farmer Groups (FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives, NGOs) and DRE Companies.
• Includes virtual training, technical advisory, and ecosystem networking.
• Focus on co-locating solar panels with crops to boost land productivity and farmer income.
• Run by EarthON Foundation in collaboration with SwitchON Foundation.

The challenge is open to Indian entities under two tracks:

Track 1 – Farmer Groups:

• Eligible entities: Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Cooperatives, Registered Societies, and NGOs working with farmers.
• Team lead must be a practicing farmer.
• Must propose plans for growing crops under solar structures.
• Must demonstrate innovation in cropping patterns or business models.

Track 2 – DRE Companies:

• For-profit or non-profit companies working in decentralized renewable energy.
• Must demonstrate technical capacity for small-scale agrivoltaic systems.
• Should propose innovations in system design and energy-use models.
• Must focus on affordability and financing models for small and marginal farmers.

General:

• Applicants must be willing to establish micro-demonstration sites.
• Must participate in training, technical support, and evidence-generation activities.
• No specific incorporation age or revenue threshold is mentioned.

Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Selected participants receive:

• Financial support of up to ₹15 lakhs to establish and demonstrate viable agrivoltaic models.
• Access to a ₹2 crore implementation grant pool for scaling successful pilots.
• Structured virtual training on agrivoltaic systems.
• Technical advisory support for system design and crop optimization.
• Ecosystem networking opportunities.
• Facilitation to set up micro-demonstration systems in priority states.

Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge is offered by EarthON Foundation, a non-profit foundation. It is delivered directly by EarthON Foundation as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The initiative follows a phased evaluation process:

1. Registration – submit initial interest.
2. Shortlisting – based on eligibility and innovation potential.
3. Detailed application review – in-depth evaluation of proposals.
4. Final selection – selected participants receive funding and support.

Before you apply to Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹15L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.