India to solarize agriculture pumps in a big way

Solar Energy is clean and green. It helps us conserve our planet and maintain the balance of natural resources. And this is the reason, like almost all countries in the world, India is trying hard to popularise the adoption of solar energy in all possible ways.

The Government of India has created the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Yojana to boost farmer income and give sources for irrigation and de-dieselizing the agricultural sector. The government has connected this with solar energy adoption and The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a program to replace agriculture diesel pumps with solar water pumps and to solarize grid-connected water pumps, as well as the construction of new renewable energy facilities across the country.

In March 2019, the PM-Kusum plan received administrative clearance, and rules were prepared in July 2019.

It is one of the world’s largest efforts to supply clean energy to over 3.5 million farmers by solarizing their irrigation pumps and allowing distributed solar installations. In India, about 30 million agricultural pumps have been erected, with nearly 10 million of them being diesel-powered.

Leading roof-top solar system providing company Navitas Solar is all geared up to boost this government initiative by providing total solutions for solarizing agriculture pumps. Navitas has an impressive track record of providing rooftop solar energy solutions.

Solarization of the pumps can minimise reliance on DISCOM-supplied conventional energy sources while also providing an additional source of income for farmers who will be able to sell surplus power to DISCOMs. Farmers will receive a 60% subsidy from the government, with the government contributing 30% of the cost in the form of a loan. Farmers will only be responsible for 10% of the project’s overall cost. The initiative aims to install 30.8 GW of solar capacity by December 31, 2022, with INR 340.35 billion in funding.

The PM Kusum Yojana provides farmers with a risk-free source of revenue. It will help to prevent overexploitation of groundwater while ensuring that farmers always have access to power. It aids in the reduction of carbon emissions in the agricultural sector and reduces the burden of farm power subsidies on farmers.

There are three major components of the scheme.

Under component A, Individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO)/Water User Associations (WUA) would construct renewable energy-based power plants (REPP) with capacities ranging from 500 kW to 2 MW on barren land. the goal is to build 10,000 MW of Decentralized Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants on desolate land. These power plants can also be built on stilts on cultivable soil, with crops growing beneath the solar panels. The generated electricity will be acquired at a pre-determined rate by the local DISCOM. To reduce transmission losses, power projects will be built within a 5 km radius of the substation.

Under component B, Farmers will be assisted in the installation of stand-alone solar agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP to replace current diesel agriculture pumps/irrigation systems in off-grid regions where grid supply is not available. Although the capacity can be more than 7.5 HP, financial assistance will only be granted until the capacity reaches 7.5 HP. Installation of 17.5 standalone solar pumps will also be carried out.

Component C will be used to solarize agriculture pumps that are connected to the grid. Individual farmers would be encouraged to solarize pumps that are now linked to the grid, and excess solar electricity will be sold to Distribution Companies of India (DISCOMs) at a pre-determined rate. Solar electricity will be used to meet the irrigation needs of farmers. Solarization of 10 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps is the goal.

A group of farmers, farmers, panchayats, and cooperatives can apply for solar pumps or plants under the PM KUSUM Yojana. Any institution that is interested in applying, can get in touch with Navitas Solar for full assistance and assurance of cutting-edge technology solutions.