Source: TH
Context:
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to promote India’s flagship solar energy initiative — the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme — to several African and island nations through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) platform.
PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan)
Launch: 2019 (by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India)
Aim: Promote solar energy adoption in the agriculture sector, ensure energy security for farmers, and provide additional income through renewable energy.
Objectives
- Solar Pumps for Irrigation:
- Solar-powered pumps to reduce dependency on grid electricity and diesel.
- Grid-Connected Solar Plants:
- Farmers can sell surplus solar power to the grid, generating extra income.
- Decentralized Renewable Power Generation:
- Support small and medium farmers to set up renewable energy projects on barren/fallow land.
Components
- Component A – Solarization of Grid-Connected Agriculture Pumps:
- 17.5 lakh pumps targeted by 2022-23.
- Farmers get subsidy of up to 60–90% of pump cost (depending on landholding).
- Component B – Off-Grid Solar Pumps:
- Small pumps (≤10 HP) for remote/off-grid areas.
- Component C – Solar Power Plants on Barren Land:
- Farmers can install grid-connected solar plants (up to 2 MW).
- Sell power to DISCOMs under feed-in tariff mechanism.
