The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is a scheme launched by the Government of India to help farmers generate their own solar power and become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs. The scheme has two components – an off-grid component and an on-grid component. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast the two components of the PM-KUSUM scheme and their benefits and drawbacks.
Off-Grid Component:
Individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP in off-grid areas, where grid supply is not available.
CFA of 30% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower, of the stand-alone solar Agriculture pump will be provided. The State Government will give at-least a subsidy of 30%, and the remaining at-most 40% will be provided by the farmer. Bank finance can be availed by farmer, so that farmer has to initially pay only 10% of the cost and remaining up to 30% of the cost as loan.
In North Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Lakshadweep and A&N Islands, CFA of 50% of the benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower, of the stand-alone solar pump will be provided. The State Government will give at-least subsidy of 30%; and the remaining at-most 20% will be provided by the farmer.
The off-grid component of the PM-KUSUM scheme has several benefits. Firstly, it provides an affordable and sustainable solution for farmers who are not connected to the power grid. Secondly, it reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Thirdly, it can help to increase crop yield and improve the income of farmers.
However, the off-grid component of the PM-KUSUM scheme also has some drawbacks. Firstly, the subsidy provided by the government may not be enough to cover the entire cost of the solar pump, and the farmer may have to bear a significant portion of the cost. Secondly, the solar pump may not be suitable for all types of water sources, and the farmer may need to invest in additional equipment to make it work. Finally, the off-grid component may not be suitable for farmers who have access to the power grid or who need a higher-capacity pump.
On-Grid Component:
The on-grid component of the PM-KUSUM scheme is designed to help farmers generate solar power and sell it to the power grid. Under this component, farmers can install solar panels on their land and connect them to the power grid through a net metering system. The scheme offers a subsidy of up to 40% of the cost of the solar panels, and the farmer has to pay the remaining 60%.
The on-grid component of the PM-KUSUM scheme has several benefits. Firstly, it allows farmers to generate their own solar power and sell it to the power grid, thus providing an additional source of income. Secondly, it reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Finally, it can help to improve the reliability and quality of power supply in rural areas.
However, the on-grid component of the PM-KUSUM scheme also has some drawbacks. Firstly, the subsidy provided by the government may not be enough to cover the entire cost of the solar panels, and the farmer may have to bear a significant portion of the cost. Secondly, the net metering system may not be available in all areas, and the farmer may need to invest in additional equipment to connect to the power grid. Finally, the on-grid component may not be suitable for farmers who have limited land or who cannot afford the upfront investment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the PM-KUSUM scheme is an important initiative by the Government of India to promote renewable energy and help farmers become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs. The off-grid and on-grid components of the scheme have their own benefits and drawbacks, and the choice between the two will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of the farmer. However, both components of the scheme have the potential to transform the agriculture sector and improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers in India.
Website link for PM KUSUM Scheme :- https://pmkusum.mnre.gov.in/landing.html
PM Kusum Tender- SECI Tender
Wrapping Up!
This blog shares a lot about the Off-grid & On-grid solar pumps.
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