As part of the government’s target to set up 6,000 solar agricultural pump sets across the State in the current financial year to reduce the grid power consumption by farmers, officials of the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) and AP Power Distribution Company are making all-out efforts to motivate farmers to rely on the eco-friendly mode to irrigate their fields.
“In Krishna district, 600 farmers have registered their names. We have identified 540 ‘feasible’ sites for installation of the pump sets after visiting the farmers’ fields and of them, 350 pump sets have been installed,” said NREDCAP Krishna District Manager K. Srinivasa Rao.
“The cost of a 5HP pump set is Rs 4.9 lakhs, out of which a farmer has to pay Rs. 55,000 and the remaining cost would be borne jointly by the Union government and the Discoms. Likewise, the cost of a 3HP pump set is Rs. 3.2 lakhs for which farmers have to pay Rs. 40,000 towards their contribution,” said AP Transco Superintending Engineer Mohana Krishna.
Farmers opting for solar-powered mode get a pump set, panels, starter and 100 ft pipe besides maintenance and insurance for a five-year-long period.
“Most of the installations have been carried out in Nuzvid division where farmers seem to be realising the benefits of the solar pump sets. Besides uninterrupted power supply, they can work in their fields in daytime,” said Mr. Srinivasa Rao.
The solar pump sets have a life span of 20 years and the investment can be easily recovered by the farmer as he does not have to pay any power bills, said Mr. Mohana Krishna.
The Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) water pumping systems for irrigation were granted by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy about six months ago to a few select States including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar among others.
Subsequently, the pump sets, 3,500 in number, were distributed between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the ratio of 58:42, on the basis of population.
Farmers pay only Rs. 55,000 for installation of
5 HP solar pump set that costs Rs 4.9 lakhs
The pump, with a life span of 20 years, reduces dependence on power and expenditure on bills
