DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

To harness the solar energy for greening the agriculture sector in the state, the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will install 2,356 solar pumps dedicated to agricultural purposes.

Punjab's New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister, Mr. Aman Arora, handed over work orders to M/s. AVI Appliances Pvt. Ltd., M/s. PV Power Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and M/s. Himalayan Solar Pvt. Ltd. for the installation of 2,356 solar pumps for agricultural use in the state. Aman Arora informed that these companies were selected through a transparent and competitive bidding process. The installation of these pumps is expected to be completed within four months.

A subsidy of 60% for general category farmers and 80% for the Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers is available for the solar pumps with capacities of 3, 5, 7.5, and 10 HP. In dark zones (over-exploited groundwater blocks), these pumps will be installed to farmers who already have micro irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler systems, installed on their bore-wells, he added.

With the installation of these solar pumps, he said while adding that the farmers will no longer need to go to their farms at night for irrigation, as these pumps operate during the daytime. This will not only reduce fuel costs but also result in zero percent carbon emissions, promoting a more sustainable farming practice.

Aman Arora also directed the PEDA officials to initiate dedicated efforts towards the installation of more agriculture solar pumps for the welfare of the farmers.

Chief Executive Officer PEDA Mr. Sandeep Hans, Director Mr. M.P. Singh and representatives of all the respective companies were also present on the occasion.

(editor@dailyworld.in)