Solar Energy in India
Solar for Farmers: PM-KUSUM
The PM-KUSUM scheme promotes solar water pumps and solarising farm feeders, reducing diesel and electricity subsidies.
Sunlight for irrigation.
Solar pumps
Farmers replace diesel pumps with solar ones, cutting fuel costs.
Selling power
Farmers can sell surplus electricity to the grid, earning extra income.
Subsidy savings
Discoms spend less on subsidised farm electricity.
Risk
Free power may encourage over-pumping of groundwater.
A solar pump
A farmer irrigates in the daytime with no fuel bill.
Ignoring groundwater effects
Cheap pumping can deplete aquifers.
Key takeaways
- Solar pumps replace diesel.
- Farmers can sell surplus power.
- Discoms save on subsidies.
- Over-pumping is a risk.
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