So far, you might have seen solar panels being used only for rooftops or irrigation in farms. But the Rajasthan government has now taken a big step to empower farmers — turning them from just consumers into energy entrepreneurs.
Under the central government’s PM-KUSUM scheme, a new initiative has been launched where farmers are allowed to set up grid-connected solar power plants on their land. The government has even issued tenders inviting applications from individual farmers, farmer groups, and cooperative societies.
Who Can Benefit?
Farmers who own land near an electricity substation stand to gain the most. They can set up a solar power plant with a capacity of 1 megawatt or more, and the electricity generated will be sent directly to the grid — earning them a regular income at a fixed rate.
What Is the Price of Electricity?
The government has fixed the electricity tariff at ₹3.04 per unit (kWh) for the next 25 years. That means once a plant is installed, farmers are assured of consistent income for two and a half decades.
How Much Land Is Required?
To install a 1 MW solar power plant, 1.5 to 2 hectares of land is needed. If the farmer chooses to lease out their land, they can earn a rent of ₹80,000 to ₹1,60,000 per hectare annually, with a 5% increase every two years.
Application and Fees
To apply under this scheme, farmers need to pay the following charges:
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RISL Fee: ₹2,950
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Application Fee: ₹5,000 per megawatt
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EMD (Earnest Money Deposit): ₹1,00,000 per megawatt
The best part? No technical or financial qualifications are required, so even small-scale farmers can apply — as long as their land is close to a substation.
What is PM-KUSUM Scheme?
The Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Yojana aims to promote solar energy in agriculture. Under this scheme, farmers’ diesel or electricity-powered pumps are being replaced with solar-powered systems. This not only reduces electricity costs for farmers but also eases the government’s subsidy burden and supports environmental sustainability.
This scheme opens a new source of income for farmers — turning sunlight into savings and sustainability into success!
Source: Krishi Jagran
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