Diesel pumps are costly to run and grid supply for agriculture often comes in limited hours. A solar water pump lets farmers irrigate during the day using free sunlight. The PM-KUSUM scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy supports farmers in adopting solar pumps, and Rajasthan — with strong sunshine and large irrigated areas — is one of the key states for it.
The three components of PM-KUSUM
- Component A: small decentralised solar power plants on farmland, selling power to the DISCOM
- Component B: standalone (off-grid) solar pumps for farmers
- Component C: solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps
How cost sharing works
Under Component B, the central government provides financial assistance as a share of the benchmark cost, the state government adds its own support, and the farmer pays the balance — part of which can be financed through a bank loan. Exact percentages, pump capacity limits and any additional support for specific categories of farmers are notified by the state. In Rajasthan, applications are handled through the state’s agriculture/horticulture channels, so check the current notification before applying.
Choosing the right pump
Pump size depends on three things:
- Water source and depth: open well or borewell, and the total head
- Water requirement: crop, land area and irrigation method (drip or sprinkler saves water)
- AC or DC pump: DC pumps are efficient at smaller sizes; AC pumps with a controller suit higher capacities
Application steps (typical)
- Apply on the state’s designated portal with land records, Aadhaar, bank details and water-source details.
- Wait for selection and approval as per the state’s process.
- Deposit the farmer’s share.
- Installation by an empanelled vendor, followed by inspection.
Maintenance tips
- Clean panels with water regularly — dust reduces output
- Keep the structure tight and protected against strong winds
- Track pump performance and call the vendor under warranty if output drops
Talk to ATTPL Solar
Explore our agriculture solar solutions or contact us for guidance. For broader farm support and agri services, visit our group company ATTPL Agri.
