There is a growing need for solar irrigation systems in rural off-grid areas in India. A recent report from Smart Power India indicated that only 65% of rural areas are grid-connected. India still relies on electric (21 million), and diesel-run (8.8 million) pumps for power. The demand for sustainable solar irrigation systems is far more than the currently available pumping capacity. A significant portion of the farming community cannot shift toward a cleaner and more accessible mode of operation. There are several reasons behind this, including the initial cost of installing solar irrigation systems, the heavily subsidized electricity supply to the rural sector and the lack of awareness about the benefits of solar energy.
To improve the scenario, the central government has introduced a noble initiative of adding 30.8 GW of solar energy, including two million off-grid solar water pumps (SWP) by 2022 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyam (PM-KUSUM) Scheme. This drive aims to enhance agriculture prospects in the country and provide our farmers with greater financial security, including more access to sustainable water by generating solar power on farms.
Economic and environmental benefits of solar irrigation systems
Scaling up solar power irrigation would provide a wide array of benefits to the agri-sector and towards the holistic progress of the country. Some of them include:
- Providing rural India with greater ‘access to energy, with a cost-effective mode of irrigation with low maintenance requirements.
- According to a recent study by ‘IWMI-Tata’, ‘Greenpeace India’ and ‘GERMI’, the introduction of 5.5 HP solar pumps will help the government achieve 70% of its renewable energy target.
- Replacing diesel engines with solar water pumps with zero carbon footprint will help India achieve 38% of its 175 GW ‘green energy’ target by 2022.
- Reducing the farmer’s dependency on monsoons and increasing crop yield by up to four times.
- Reducing coal usage will help save on fuel costs and lead to Forex savings.
- Reducing the need for heavily subsidized electric supply to the agri-sector will help overcome distribution companies’ financial distress (DISCOMs).
- The introduction of more solar irrigation systems will provide an impetus to the government’s ‘Made in India’ initiative since more demand will facilitate domestic production.
- Improving farmers’ quality of life: Solar-powered irrigation pumps will provide power supply for longer hours, increasing their agricultural productivity and overall income.
Nimbus Solar Solutions: meeting all solar needs
With a Pan-India presence, Nimbus Solar Solutions is a one-stop solution to ensure the best transition to solar energy from conventional sources. It is backed by technical excellence through a team of dedicated engineers and technicians.
The company is trusted for its sound industry knowledge, including the various tax exemptions, capital subsidies and incentives offered by the government. It is committed to playing its part in ensuring the best turnkey solutions for drip and sprinkler irrigation with a solar power source.
For more details, visit www.nimbussolar.in
