Chandigarh, June 10 – Haryana has managed to save 29 crores 50 lakh units of electricity every year with the successful installation of 53,000 solar pumps across the state. Due to this, Haryana has also saved Rs 195 crore. Out of these 53,000 pumps, more than 26,000 solar pumps have been installed in districts Sirsa and Hisar only.
Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal shared this while interacting with the beneficiaries of the PM-KUSUM scheme through audio conferencing here today. He said that priority for new solar pump installation will be given to the areas where the groundwater level has gone down to 100 feet. This priority will be given to the farmers who have applied for installation. Around 11000 applications have been received for the new installation, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that Haryana is among the leading states in the country in installing off-grid solar pumps. In 2020–2021, the state installed 15,000 solar pumps, and with the further installation of more than 38,000 solar pumps the state has managed to bag the top spot nationally. This number is more than the target given to the State for installing 50,000 off-grid solar pumps set under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
“In the year 2014, when we took over the responsibility of public service, there were only 492 solar pumps in the state. After that we tried our best to ensure maximum installation of solar pumps. A target has been set to install 70,000 solar pumps for the current financial year 2023-24,” shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
During the Samvad, the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister and said that the government has given huge benefits to the farmers by providing solar pump connections to meet the needs of irrigation. In this scheme, farmers have greatly benefitted from the financial help they have received through subsidies.
The Chief Minister urged the beneficiaries to inform other farmers about this scheme and motivate them to install solar pumps. Farmers can also apply online on the portal for the installation.
During the Samvad, the beneficiaries informed the Chief Minister that whenever a farmer shifts the solar pumps and installs the same at a new place, the guarantee/warranty lapses.
On this, the Chief Minister assured them that a plan would be prepared in consultation with the company for the shifting of solar pumps across the state so that the guarantee/warranty cover of the solar pump system would not get affected.
The Chief Minister informed that 75 percent subsidy is given for the installation of solar pumps of capacity 3 HP to 10 HP. So far a subsidy of Rs 960 crore has been given. Apart from these, 20 to 40 percent subsidy is being given on the installation of solar power systems on the rooftops of the houses under the Solar Rooftop Programme, informed the Chief Minister.
He said that the use of solar energy is not only a big step towards self-sufficiency in the energy sector, but it is also helping in increasing the income of farmers by reducing the cost of agriculture. The Prime Minister has launched a green energy campaign to conserve natural energy sources such as petroleum, coal, etc.
Renewable energy need of the hour
The Chief Minister said that today the world is grappling with the problem of global warming, therefore renewable energy has become the need of the hour. In such a situation, there is a need to emphasize on maximum use of solar energy, wind energy, and hydro energy so that the damage caused to the environment due to excessive consumption of coal, diesel, and petrol can be prevented. Today solar energy is proving to be a revolutionary step in solving the energy crisis in the country, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, India has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy generation by the year 2030
The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris on November 30, 2015, made an appeal to promote solar energy. As a result, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was formed, having its headquarters located in Gurugram. Due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, at present India is in the sixth position in the production of solar energy in the world. Under his visionary leadership, India has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy generation by 2030, asserted Sh. Manohar Lal.
Farmers should also take significant steps toward water conservation
The Chief Minister urged the farmers to work for water conservation along with shifting towards solar energy. ‘Maximum Farming With Minimum Water’ is the need of the hour. Therefore, in order to promote crop diversification, the 'Mera Pani Meri Virasat' scheme has been launched. In this, farmers are given an incentive amount of Rs 7,000 per acre. Besides this, sowing of paddy by the DSR method also saves water, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that for micro-irrigation, farmers can make ponds in their fields and store water. If a farmer builds a pond in his field, he is given 70 percent subsidy and if a group of farmers builds a pond together, then 85 percent subsidy is given to them, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Sh. A.K Singh, OSD to Chief Minister, Sh. Sudhanshu Gautam also remained present on this occasion.