Why in news
The ₹34,000-crore PM-KUSUM solar energy program for agriculture is facing delays.
States are trying different methods to speed up and improve the adoption of solar energy solutions.
As of June, only 256 MW of power plants, 3.97 lakh solar pumps and 13,500 solarised pumps have been installed.
The low uptake has forced the government to push the scheme’s deadline to 2026
PM-KUSUM
Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)
Launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2019
To endow installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas
Components
setting up 100 GW of solar power plants in farmer-owned land,
installing 14 lakh solar pumps,
solarising 35 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps.
Objective:
It aims to enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their arid lands and to sell it to the grid.
It also seeks to increase the income of farmers by allowing them to sell surplus solar power to the grid.
COMMENTS