Ever since S. Sivakumar (40), a farmer of Semmandam Palayam in Karur district, chose green (solar) energy to irrigate his fields, he does not use electric or kerosene-powered pump sets. He needs electricity only when solar photovoltaic panels set up in his farm malfunction.
He was among the few early birds, who set up solar panels in their fields when the State government announced a pilot project in 2014-15. When the agriculture department officials explained the huge subsidy offered by the Government for installing solar power panels, he readily accepted it and contributed Rs.1,17,512 on his behalf. The Government contributed Rs.3,84,000 as subsidy.
As many as 10 flexible photovoltaic panels with a sun tracking system have been installed with instruments to covert and carry the power to his 5 HP motor pumpset. The panels automatically change the direction depending upon the movement of sun.
“I do not spend anything for irrigating my 5 acres of land on account of electricity. Energy is available from 7 am to 5 pm. We get full power when the sun is shining well,” says Sivakumar.
He had successfully harvested sorghum, green gram, black gram and horse gram. If there was enough water in the well, he could go for irrigating paddy or sugar cane too.
The successful installation and operation of solar pump sets had created enormous awareness among the farmers. If more farmers came forward to switch over to green energy initiative, it would reduce grid power consumption to an extent, said S. Jayandhi, Collector.
R. Madhu, Joint Director of Agriculture, said that the solar panels had a 25-year guarantee and except for cleaning, they required no maintenance. It was easy to operate.
“If more farmers come forward to switch over to green energy initiative, it would reduce grid power consumption to an extent,”says Collector
