Sick of increasing diesel prices and intermittent supply of power to irrigate? It is something to think about how much you could do if you could tap into the power of the sun and irrigate your farm, cut your bills, and even create a new source of income that is constant and reliable. This is what is promised by the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme.
Introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), this is a transformational government program aimed at helping farmers like you to install solar power, encouraging energy independence, and catalyzing environmentally friendly farming all over India.
What is the PM-KUSUM Yojana?
The PM-KUSUM Scheme is a mega governmental programme offering massive financial aid to the farmers in installing solar irrigation pumps and power plants. Its main purpose is to supply farmers with dependable, clean energy to irrigate their farms, become less reliant on expensive diesel, and create new opportunities to allow farmers to earn supplementary income by selling excess solar energy.
Key Objectives of the Scheme:
- Encourage Solar Irrigation: Substitute the diesel and grid-dependent pumps with efficient solar-powered versions.
- Increase Farmer Revenue: Empower farmers to sell additional solar generated power to the electricity grid.
- Assure Energy Security: De-dieselisation of farm sector, and offer a reliable source of power through irrigation.
- Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Decrease the carbon footprint of agriculture by renewable energy.
How Does the PM-KUSUM Scheme Work? The 3 Components
The scheme is wisely designed to respond to various needs by being broken down into three sections:
Component A: Set Up Decentralised Solar Power Plants
- What it is: Installation of large, grid-connected solar power plants (up to 2 MW) on barren or cultivable land.
- For Whom: Groups of farmers, cooperatives, Panchayats, and Water User Associations.
- The Benefit: You can lease out your unused land for the plant and earn a steady rental income for 25 years.
Component B: Install Stand-Alone Solar Pumps
- What it is: Installation of individual, off-grid solar agricultural pumps (up to 7.5 HP capacity) to power irrigation.
- For Whom: Individual farmers.
- The Benefit: Free yourself from grid power cuts and expensive diesel. Irrigate your fields with free, sustainable energy from the sun.
Component C: Solarise Existing Grid-Connected Agricultural Pumps
- What it is: Converting existing grid-connected farm pumps into solar pumps.
- For Whom: Farmers who already have a grid-connected pump.
- The Benefit: Use solar power to run your pump and sell any surplus electricity you generate back to the discom, turning your pump into a source of revenue.
Shining Benefits: Why You Should Join the PM-KUSUM Scheme
- Big Financial Assistance: The central and state governments subsidize the entire price by 60% of the amount. There is also a provision of a 30 percent loan, i.e, all you will be required to contribute is 10 percent of the cost of capital initially.
- Earn Additional Revenue: Under Components A and C, you will have the option of selling the excess amount of solar power produced directly to the power distribution company (discom), which will be operating within the state that you belong to, and this will give you a dependable supplement of income.
- Use Unproductive Land: Turn your land that cannot be put to use or practised into a solar plant and get a steady rental income over 25 years.
- Continue Cultivation: In Component A plants on farmable land, the solar panels will be mounted on stilts, enabling the fields to be used in the meantime.
- Dependable and Free irrigation: Farewell to gas prices and electric outages. Daytime power is available with solar pumps at the specific time required by you in irrigation.
- Green Alternative: Minimise pollution and carbon emission by moving to clean and green solar energy.
Are You Eligible for the PM-KUSUM Scheme?
The scheme is open to a wide range of applicants, including:
- Individual farmers
- Groups of farmers
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- Panchayats
- Co-operative societies
- Water User Associations (WUAs)
How to Apply for the PM-KUSUM Scheme Online
The application process is designed to be straightforward. Here’s how to get started:
- Visit the Portal: Go to your state’s designated official portal for the PM-KUSUM scheme (often on the state DISCOM or renewable energy agency website).
- Register: Click on the registration section and fill in the required details to create an account.
- Log In: Use your credentials to log into the ‘Solar Agricultural Pumpset Subsidy Scheme’ section.
- Complete the Application: Fill in the online application form carefully, ensuring all details match your official documents.
- Upload Documents: Attach scanned copies of all necessary documents (listed below).
- Submit: Review your application and submit it online.
Important Note: Once you have successfully applied, you are normally required to make a deposit of 10% of the cost to an empanelled supplier. The subsidy process and installation normally requires 90 to 120 days.
Documents Required for Application
Have these documents ready before you start your application:
- Aadhaar Card
- Land documents (e.g., Khasra-Khatauni, Land Deed)
- Bank Account Passbook
- Completed Declaration Form
- Registered Mobile Number
- Passport-sized Photograph
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What kind of financial support can I get for a solar pump?
The government offers 60% subsidy and assists farmers to secure a 30% bank loan to eligible farmers. You will only have to pay 10 percent of the total cost.
Q2. Who can buy the electricity I generate?
The surplus electricity is purchased by your local state power distribution company (discom) at a predetermined tariff.
Q3. Can I lease my land for a solar power plant?
Yes. Under Component A, you have the option of renting your barren or uncultivable land to developers to install solar power plants and make a rental income.
Q4. Where can I get more information?
To get the most precise and complete information refer to the official site of the MNRE: https://mnre.gov.in/solar/schemes/. The toll-free number may also be called: 1800-180-3333.