Virudhunagar district administration inviting applications from farmers for setting up solar-powered motorpumps used for irrigation through which they can obtain electricity supply for 24 hours and also earn extra income by selling solar power to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).
Virudhunagar Collector, J. Meghanath Reddy said the benefits under the PM-KUSUM project will be jointly implemented by TNEB, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) and the Department of Agricultural Engineering.
“This is an on- grid plan through which unused solar energy can be sold to TNEB. TNEB will pay farmers at a price of Rs.2.28 per unit along with a reward of 50 paise per unit,” said TEDA assistant engineer. M. Chithradevi.
Currently, farmers also received free power scheme and those who have subscribed to free power under the tatkal scheme will be able to use solar-powered motor.
"Farmers with motors from 2HP to 7.5HP will get solar panels, which can produce twice the power demand for the motors," she said.
“An 11 KV solar installation can produce 55 units of energy per day, and farmers can sell at least 50% of their energy to TNEB per day. As long as they don’t use motors, they can sell the entire power produced by solar panels,” she added.
Collector said it will be an additional source of income for farmers.
While free electricity is provided for only six hours a day, farmers can use solar power during the day and free electricity at night, Chithradevi said.
Although the cost of the solar powered motor is Rs.500000, farmers can get 30% subsidy from the center and 30% from the state government.
30% of the 40% of farmers' contributions can be raised through bank loans. They will be able to generate up to Rs.40000 per year by selling power to TNEB.
The supplier will provide a five-year warranty for the maintenance and a 25-year warranty for the solar panels.
Interested farmers can contact the District Rural Development Agency and register. For any other details, farmers can call on 9385290545.
