UP Power Corporation Joins Hands With NEDA to Promote Solar-Powered Tube Wells

Maharashtra Introduces Land Lease Model for Solar-Powered Agriculture

The Non-Conventional Energy Development Agency (NEDA) and the UP Power Corporation have joined hands to provide solar equipment to farmers for grid-connected agricultural tube wells, that will make irrigation cost-effective by cutting down electricity expenses.

The collaboration is under the scheme called PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) by the Indian government that focusses on promoting the use of solar-powered tube wells as well as making accessible reliable and cost-effective source of irrigation for agricultural lands, mainly in areas with frequent power cuts and rising energy prices. The scheme provides a 25-year warranty for solar panels made by NEDA. In a first, farmers who would contribute in generating and transferring excess energy to the grid will be compensated and the state government will provide free maintenance for the first five years post installation. The scheme is expected to continue from  2026-2027 fiscal year. With this initiative, the farmers have an opportunity for the first time to irrigate fields without cost and get payment for unused solar power.

Besides, under the scheme, farmers from SC&ST(Schedule Cast & Tribe), Mushahar and Bantania communities, will receive a 100% subsidy for the solar equipment, while general and backward communities will receive a 90% subsidy.

As per the electricity department officials, around 8600 tube well connections have been provided so far to the farmers. The department further informed that they are yet to receive  guidelines to transfer money to the farmers for the energy contributed by them to the grid. The cost of the solar system, which include panels, net metering equipment, and structure, is estimated at Rs 65,000 per kilowatt. The scheme is expected to help farmers cut down their  electricity costs and increase their income by selling excess energy.