PM-KUSUM

1. Background

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme was initiated by the Government of India to increase the income of farmers and provide sources for irrigation and de-dieselize the farm sector.
PM-KUSUM Yojana got its administrative approval in March 2019 and guidelines were framed in July 2019. This scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for the installation of solar pumps and other renewable power plants across the nation.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha even Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers to the installation of solar pumps and grid-connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
The scheme aims to add solar and another renewable capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022 with the total central financial support of Rs. 34,422 Crore including service charges to the implementing agencies.

2. Objectives of the scheme

Under the PM-KUSUM Yojana, farmers, groups of farmers, panchayat, and co-operative societies can apply to plant a solar pump.
The total cost involved in this scheme is divided into three categories in which the Government will help farmers.
The government will provide a subsidy of 60% to farmers and 30% of the cost will be given by Government in form of loans. Farmers will only have to give 10% of the total cost of the project.
The electricity generated from the solar panel can be sold by the farmers.
The money gained after selling electricity can further be used for starting a new business.

3. Benefits of PM-KUSUM

Below mentioned are the scheme benefits of PM KUSUM Yojana:

4. Components of PM-KUSUM yojana

Three Components of PM-KUSUM Yojana

Under this scheme, workers will set up 10,000 MW of decentralized renewable energy power plants which are grid-connected on barren land
These grids will be set up by farmers, cooperatives, groups of farmers, panchayats, Water User Associations (WUA), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO)
Power projects will be set up within a radius of 5 km of the sub-station

Under this scheme, farmers will be supported to install stand-alone solar agriculture pumps worth Rs. 17.50 lakh
The capacity of the pumps will be up to 7.5 HP for the replacement of existing diesel agriculture pumps
The capacity can be higher than 7.5 HP but financial support will only be provided until the 7.5 HP capacity

This scheme is for solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps and individual farmers will be supported to solarize pumps those having grid-connected pumps
Extrasolar power will be sold to Distribution Companies of India (DISCOMs) at a pre-fixed tariff
Farmer’s irrigation needs shall be met by using the generated solar power

5. Solar Energy potential across India

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