The can save nearly 50% of the power subsidy given to farmers if the Irrigation demand is met throughsolar power, opined theRajasthanSolar Association.
The government provides power to nearly 16 lakh farmers at 90 paise a unit as against the discom purchase cost of Rs 6.40. This puts a subsidy burden of Rs 16,000 crore on the government annually.
In 2022-23, the government made power up to 1,000 units free for farmers. This increased to 2,000 units in 2023-24. Besides, the number of Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture connections rose as the government tried to woo rural voters.
According to the Rajasthan Solar Association, agriculture connections in the state require 17 lakh units and to generate that solar projects producing 17,000MW are required.
The solar Industry also believes that this would generate huge economic opportunities for the MSME sector. Agriculture lines cannot carry more than 10MW. This means there would be hundreds of small solar power Plants linked to local sub-stations.