Table of Contents
Relevance: GS Paper II—Government Schemes; GS Paper III—Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Energy Security and Infrastructure
Prelims: PM-KUSUM | Component C | Feeder-Level Solarisation | DISCOM | NREDCAP | CAPEX | RESCO | CFA | Agricultural Feeder
Mains: Solar Agriculture | Daytime Farm Power | DISCOM Reforms | Decentralised Renewable Energy | Energy-Water Nexus | Farmer Welfare
Why in News?
Andhra Pradesh has taken up 1,162.80 MW of feeder-level solarisation capacity through 228 solar power plants under Component C of the PM-KUSUM Scheme.
What is PM-KUSUM?
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan, or PM-KUSUM, promotes the use of solar energy in agriculture.
It is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and seeks to:
- provide reliable power for irrigation;
- reduce farmers’ dependence on diesel pumps;
- solarise grid-connected agricultural pumps;
- develop decentralised renewable-energy plants;
- reduce the agricultural power-subsidy burden on States;
- improve the financial position of DISCOMs; and
- reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
The scheme originally aimed to add about 34,800 MW of solar capacity, supported by Central financial assistance of ₹34,422 crore.
What are the Components of PM-KUSUM?
| Component | Main Provision |
| Component A | Decentralised grid-connected renewable-energy plants |
| Component B | Standalone solar agricultural pumps in off-grid areas |
| Component C—IPS | Solarisation of individual grid-connected agricultural pumps |
| Component C—FLS | Solarisation of agricultural feeders |
Component A: Decentralised Power Plants
- Renewable-energy plants of 500 kW to 2 MW can be established.
- Eligible participants include individual farmers, groups of farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organisations and Water User Associations.
- Projects may also be developed through private developers or DISCOMs.
- Electricity is purchased by DISCOMs at a feed-in tariff determined by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
- DISCOMs are eligible for a procurement-based incentive for five years, subject to prescribed limits.
Component B: Standalone Solar Pumps
- Supports individual farmers in off-grid areas where grid electricity is unavailable.
- The Centre provides financial assistance of 30% of the benchmark or tender cost, whichever is lower.
- The State provides at least 30%, while the farmer bears the remaining share, which may be supported through bank finance.
- Higher Central assistance is available to specified Himalayan, northeastern and island regions.
Component C: Individual Pump Solarisation
- Supports farmers with grid-connected agricultural pumps.
- Solar capacity up to twice the pump capacity in kilowatts is permitted.
- Farmers can use solar power for irrigation and sell surplus electricity to DISCOMs.
- Central and State financial assistance reduces the farmer’s contribution.
Component C: Feeder-Level Solarisation
Instead of solarising individual pumps, the State can solarise an entire agricultural feeder.
This model supplies solar electricity collectively to several agricultural connections connected to the same feeder.
What is Feeder-Level Solarisation?
An agricultural feeder is a power line that supplies electricity to several agricultural consumers, mainly irrigation pumps, within a particular area.
Under Feeder-Level Solarisation:
- a solar plant is installed near the selected feeder;
- its capacity is designed according to the feeder’s agricultural load;
- solar electricity is supplied to the connected pumps during daytime; and
- farmers receive power free of cost or at the tariff fixed by the State.
Solar plants can be developed through:
- CAPEX mode: The utility or government bears the capital expenditure and owns the project.
- RESCO mode: A Renewable Energy Service Company develops and operates the plant and supplies electricity under a long-term agreement.
The normal project period under the RESCO model is 25 years.
Central Financial Assistance of 30% of project cost, subject to a ceiling of ₹1.05 crore per MW, is available for eligible projects. Specified northeastern, Himalayan and island regions receive higher assistance.
Where agricultural feeders are not separated, loans for feeder separation can be obtained from NABARD, Power Finance Corporation or Rural Electrification Corporation. Assistance may also be available under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
Conclusion
Andhra Pradesh’s feeder-level solarisation programme can provide reliable daytime power to farmers while expanding clean-energy generation. Effective implementation, groundwater management and financial discipline are essential to ensure that solar power strengthens both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding PM-KUSUM:
- Component A supports decentralised grid-connected renewable-energy plants.
- Component B supports standalone solar agricultural pumps in off-grid areas.
- Component C includes both individual pump solarisation and feeder-level solarisation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement-wise Explanation
- Statement 1 is correct: Component A supports decentralised renewable-energy plants connected to the grid.
- Statement 2 is correct: Component B targets standalone solar pumps, particularly in areas without grid electricity.
- Statement 3 is correct: Component C covers individual grid-connected pump solarisation and agricultural feeder solarisation.
FAQs
1. What is feeder-level solarisation?
It means installing a solar power plant to supply electricity collectively to agricultural pumps connected to a particular feeder.
2. Under which PM-KUSUM component is it covered?
It is covered under Component C—Feeder-Level Solarisation.
3. How is it different from individual pump solarisation?
Individual Pump Solarisation installs solar panels for a particular farmer’s grid-connected pump. Feeder-Level Solarisation supplies solar power collectively to several pumps.
4. What capacity is Andhra Pradesh developing?
The State is developing 1,162.80 MW through 228 solar plants.
5. What is the difference between CAPEX and RESCO modes?
Under CAPEX, the utility owns the plant after funding its construction. Under RESCO, a private service company develops and operates it under a long-term agreement.
6. How does feeder solarisation benefit farmers?
It provides reliable daytime electricity for irrigation and reduces dependence on diesel and night-time power supply.
