Renewable Energy Boosts Rural Economy and Farmers’ Incomes in India
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, underscored the pivotal role of renewable energy in revitalizing India’s rural economy while enhancing the income of farmers during his speech at the 4th National Agro-RE Summit held in New Delhi.
Shri Joshi highlighted how renewable energy is making significant inroads into India’s agricultural sector, providing farmers with reliable power, lowering irrigation costs, and boosting farm productivity. He noted, “A farmer irrigating his field today might be using solar power, while households that once fretted over electricity bills may now be generating their own power through rooftop solar installations. This is more than just an energy shift; it’s a transformation of rural livelihoods.”
Solar Technology Eases Farming Costs
The Minister emphasized the importance of solar irrigation pumps as a means to cut back on diesel dependency and provide dependable daytime watering for crops. The cost of diesel irrigation can be as high as ₹6,790 per acre for wheat and exceed ₹8,000 for cotton crops, but solar pumps can enable farmers to save between ₹5,000 and ₹6,500 per acre annually while also cutting down on harmful emissions.
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, over 1 million standalone solar agricultural pumps have been installed, in addition to more than 1.3 million grid-connected pumps that have been solarized nationwide. These efforts have empowered farmers to transition from being merely “Annadata” (food providers) to becoming “Urjadaata” (energy providers) as well.
Introducing PM-KUSUM 2.0 and Agrivoltaics
In his address, Shri Joshi announced plans for PM-KUSUM 2.0, which will feature a dedicated component for 10 GW of Agri-PV. This initiative aims to facilitate the installation of solar panels alongside crops, allowing farmers to produce electricity without sacrificing agricultural productivity—a groundbreaking model for decentralized energy generation in rural areas.
Moreover, the Minister pointed out that agrivoltaic systems, which merge solar energy production with agriculture, harbor significant potential to enhance land productivity and provide farmers with an additional income stream. It has been estimated that the agrivoltaic capacity in India could range from 3,000 GW to an impressive 14,000 GW, showcasing the vast opportunities for merging renewable energy with agriculture.
Rooftop Solar Initiatives and Renewable Milestones
Shri Joshi also lauded the accomplishments of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which has already benefited over 3 million households through rooftop solar installations. This initiative empowers families to generate their own electricity, leading to reduced electricity bills.
Highlighting the progress made in India’s renewable energy sector, the Minister reported that non-fossil fuel capacity surged from approximately 81 GW in 2014 to nearly 275 GW today. Notably, over half of India’s installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil sources. Solar capacity has expanded from around 2.8 GW in 2014 to about 143 GW, while wind and biopower capacities have also seen remarkable growth.
The Minister reinforced the commitment to achieving a 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity, progressing through widespread decentralized renewable energy systems across farms, rooftops, and rural enterprises.
Collaborative Efforts in Agrivoltaics
Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, emphasized the transformative potential of agrivoltaics during the summit. He advocated for enhanced collaboration among government entities, industries, research institutions, and financial organizations to scale up the deployment of agrivoltaic systems. This synergy can pave the way for innovative, cost-effective solutions that make advanced technologies accessible to farmers nationwide.
The 4th National Agro-RE Summit, co-hosted by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and the India Agrivoltaics Alliance, gathered policymakers, industry leaders, farmer advocates, and renewable energy experts to explore the seamless integration of renewable energy with agricultural practices.
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