In a bid to increase farmers’ income, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) has entered a power purchase agreement (PPA) with private developers to set up solar plants. The project, which falls under the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme will have a cumulative capacity of 7 MW.
Solar plants will be installed in six districts- Bijnor, Hathras, Mahoba, Jalaun, Deoria, and Lucknow. The details of the capacities are as follows:
| District | Village | Solar Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Bijnor | Vilaspur | 1.5 MW |
| Hathras | Mauhari | 0.5 MW |
| Mahoba | Devgaon | 1 MW |
| Jalaun | Khuksis | 1 MW |
| Deoria | Bariyarpur | 1 MW |
| Lucknow | Parseni | 2 MW |
| Total | 7 MW |
Under the scheme, the state government will help farmers set up solar plants on their barren/uncultivable farmlands with financial assistance from banks. A subsidy will also be provided for the same.
By selling the generated electricity to the government through power DISCOMs, the farmers will be able to earn an additional income of ₹80,000 each year, said M Devraj, UPPCL chief. Moreover, 5 acres of land is required for a 1 MW solar plant. Thus each acre will generate 1/5= 0.2 MW of electricity and will reduce the farmer’s electricity problems.
Another benefit for the farmers is that they will be able to use solar-powered irrigation pumps rather than outdated diesel pumps. The UP government also provides a subsidy (90% of the cost) on solar pumps under the KUSUM scheme.
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Resource: ET EnergyWorld
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