Solar Power for Irrigation

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing programme for installation of 1,00,000 of Solar Pumps for irrigation and drinking water through State Nodal Agencies and NABARD. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

The Minister further stated that ministry provides 30% capital subsidy to farmers for installation of Solar Pumps for irrigation purpose through State Nodal Agencies. State Government may also provide additional subsidy through own funds. Ministry also provides 40% subsidy with mandatory loan to farmers for irrigation purpose through NABARD.

The Minister further stated that Ministry has issued supplementary guidelines for 1,00,000 solar Pumps during 2014-15 and Rs.353.50 Crore was released to various agencies. Till now 63,436 pumps were sanctioned to various State Government agencies and 30,000 solar pumps were sanctioned to NABARD. The State Governments are subsidizing Solar Pumps so that farmers take this up in a big way. MNRE has also made provision in guidelines for injection of surplus power in the grid so that farmers can get some returns on the investment. Ministry has empanelled 53 Solar Pumps System integrators to operate through NABARD and are providing training, the Minister added.