PM KUSUM scheme, the Agricultural sector is one of the sectors of the Indian economy which provides the highest job opportunities, up to 50%, and contributes 18% of the GDP of the Indian economy. We are all aware that irrigation is the backbone of agriculture. If farmers will have better irrigation systems, then crop production will increase. Farmers use fossil fuels like diesel, petrol, and electricity for crop irrigation. Indian Government wants to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and electricity in agricultural irrigation.
The Government started a scheme, PM KUSUM, to generate solar energy through decentralized solar plants near substations, preferably started by farmers. PM KUSUM scheme has three components. Here, we will provide you detailed information on Component C of PM KUSUM Yojana and how you can avail 90% subsidy for solarization on grid-connected agricultural water pumps.
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What is PM Kusum scheme component-c?
The Government provides a 90% subsidy for the solarization of grid-connected water pumps under the PM KUSUM scheme. In this scheme, farmers can apply for solarization of grid-connect water pumps. Grid-connected water pumps are water pumps running on electricity. Farmers can generate extra income through selling electricity to DISCOM generated through solar panels. Under PM KUSUM scheme Component- C, two types of solarization will happen: one is individual pump solarization, and the second is feeder-level solarization.
Difference Between individual pump solarization and feeder level solarization:
In the case of individual pump solarisation, a single grid-connected pump is solarised through the installation of solar panels and connecting it to the pump to provide power. In the case of feeder-level solarisation, all grid-connected pumps connected across a particular feeder can be solarised through a single aggregate solar power plant of larger capacity, which is to be installed near the respective substation. This feeder-level solar plant will be responsible for the supply of electricity to the agriculture pumps through the feeder.
Who all are eligible for under Component C?
The following are eligible for individual pump solarisation:
- Individual farmers
- Water User Associations
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO)
- Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS)
- Community/cluster-based irrigation system
The following are eligible for feeder-level solarisation:
- RESCO developer – Renewable Energy Service Company
- DISCOMs
How can I benefit under the PM KUSUM component-C?
Farmers will not have to depend on electricity supply for irrigation during the daytime. Under Feeder level solarisation, farmers will be incentivized to consume fewer units than the set benchmark, which will enable them to save water. For example, Suppose the average electricity usage of a farmer is 5000 units per annum. Suppose that a farmer saves 1000 units by spending only 4000 units. In that case, the Government will give the money for these 1000 units as an incentive to the farmer. The more the savings, the higher the
incentive amount.
Metered connections will enable in calculation of the number of units below the benchmark consumed by the farmers, and based on the saved units, incentives will be calculated.
various options for the solarisation of pumps for individual farmers
Individual farmers could adopt anyone from two options of solarisation:
- Option-1 (Net-metering): In this case, the agriculture pump will take power from solar panels required for irrigation. Balance power may be imported from the grid if there is a requirement. In case solar power generation is higher than required by the pump, the additional solar power will be fed to the grid. Farmers would be able to import and export power to the grid at the rate specified by the concerned State Government/SERC.
- Option 2 (Pump to run on solar power only): In this case, the pump will only run on solar power, as in the case of a stand-alone solar agriculture pump, and no power will be drawn from the grid for the operation of the pump. When the pump is not running, the solar power can be fed into the grid through a suitable grid-tied inverter. Possibilities will be explored for the replacement of agriculture water pumps with energy-efficient water pumps under any modalities in coordination with respective Ministries/Departments.
The capacity and cost of the water motor pump will cover solarization.
Under PM KUSUM scheme water pump solarization, a farmer can solarise up to 7.5 HP water motor pump. Farmers can avail solarization benefits on mainly three different types of capacity of water motor pumps. Below is a list of motors capacity on which how much powerful capacity solar panel you will receive:
- On a 3 HP grid-connected water pump, farmers will receive 4.5 KW capacity solar panels. The cost of 4.5 KW solar panels will be around 2,50,000, but farmers have only borne 10% of the cost.
- On a 5 HP grid-connected water pump, farmers will receive 7.5 KW capacity solar panels. The total cost for 7.5 KW capacity solar panels is around 4,40,000. Farmers will bear only 10% of the total cost.
- On a 7.5 HP grid-connected water pump, farmers will receive 11.2 KW capacity solar panels. It will cost around 6.23 Lakhs. In which the customer will be borne only 10% of the cost.
How to apply for solarization of water pump?
- First, visit your state implementing agency. Click here to check your state implementing agency and select Component – C.
- Apply for water pump solarization under the PM KUSUM scheme under Component-C. Your identity proof and electricity bill will required to apply.
- After the successful application, the concerned district officer of the state implementing agency will verify your application.
- After successful verification, you need to verify your application through Lekhpal / Secretary and Junior Engineer of the electricity substation. Then, you have to submit this form to the district officer of the state implementing agency.
- In the next step, the district officer will enable you for a payment option. Now, you can make payment of your contribution of the total cost according to your solar panel capacity.
- Now all set, state empanelled solar agency will come and set up solar panels for your applied capacity. It will also help you to net meter readings.
- In the last step concerned district officer will come to inspect all these at your address.
It will take 4-5 months to set up solar panels and net metering.
List of implementing agaency of different state for Component-C
| State | Implementing Agency |
| Uttar Pradesh | Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency |
