Overview
In Chickballapur district, farmer Narayan Swamy has leased his 40‑acre farm to a private firm to install solar panels under the PM‑KUSUM C. The generated power supplies daytime electricity to agricultural water‑pumps, reducing dependence on BESCOM which often faces overload‑related cuts.
Key Developments
- Swamy receives a lease amount of ₹60,000 per acre for the next 25 years, while thousands of farmers benefit from the solar‑generated power.
- The solarisation of pumps at Nallimaradahalli sub‑station adds 13 MW capacity.
- Other projects – Kundana (3 MW) and Devanahalli (13 MW) – together serve over 3,800 pumpsets across 115 villages.
- Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) have been signed for projects totalling 1,159.1 MW, covering 279,043 agricultural pump sets.
Important Facts
- One megawatt of solar capacity requires about 3.5 acres of land.
- Minimum lease price set by the government is ₹25,000 per acre, but private negotiations can vary based on location and proximity to sub‑stations.
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned 2.62 lakh agricultural pump sets for solarisation, with an additional 60,000 pending.
- About 20,000 hectares of deemed forest land in Chickballapur is earmarked for future projects, including PM‑KUSUM C.
Exam Relevance
The scheme illustrates the intersection of energy security, rural development, and environmental sustainability. Candidates should note:
- How renewable‑energy policies like PM‑KUSUM C address farmer distress and power‑sector challenges.
- The role of state utilities (BESCOM) in implementing central schemes.
- Financial mechanisms such as PPA that make renewable projects viable.
- Land‑use considerations, especially the use of deemed forest land, linking environmental law with development.
Way Forward
To scale the model, the government should:
- Identify more government and private lands suitable for solar panels, ensuring fair lease rates.
- Accelerate clearance of deemed forest land while maintaining ecological safeguards.
- Encourage more private participation through transparent PPA frameworks.
- Strengthen coordination between MNRE, state utilities, and gram panchayats for land identification.
Successful implementation will enhance farmer incomes, reduce power‑cut losses, and contribute to India’s renewable‑energy targets.