CM announces solar scheme to enhance farmers’ income
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced the "Mukhyanmantri Kisan Aaye Badhotri Solar Yojna" which aims to increase the income of farmers by three to five times in the national capital. As per the scheme approved on Tuesday by the Delhi Cabinet, a maximum of one-third surface area of the agriculture land can be used for installation of solar panels in such a way that agriculture activity is not affected.
"With the introduction of this scheme, farmers' income will be increased by three to five times per acre," the chief minister said. He also said the minimum height of solar panels will be 3.5 metres to ensure that agriculture activity is not affected.
"Farmers will not have to invest anything in this scheme. Around five companies have so far shown interest in it," CM Kejriwal said. The Chief Minister also said that the government departments will also buy electricity from the companies which have installed solar panels on agricultural land.
He also said that present estimated annual income of farmers is Rs 20,000 to 30,000 per acre per year. With the introduction of this scheme, farmers' income will increase three to five times per acre.
In addition to the above income, the farmer will get 1,000 units of free electricity per acre from the solar plant per annum. Total 6-acre of land will be required for the installation of 1 MW Solar plant which could generate approximately 13 lakh units of electricity annually.
"Minimum structure height for placing Solar plant will be 3.5 meters (11'6” feet) for allowing passage for tractors and other farming equipment and the structure shall be spaced enough to allow the unhindered farming activity. The maximum of 1/3rd of the surface area of the land can be used for Solar Installations in such a way that Agriculture Activity is not affected," he said.
The CM observed that farmers will not have to invest anything in this scheme for capacity building. It will be done on the RESCO model. Solar Power Developer (SPD) will enter into PPA with Delhi Government Departments for the supply of Solar Power to Government Departments like Health Department, PWD, DJB which are bulk power consumers. They will be power purchasers under the scheme who will buy power on commercial rates or on higher tariff slabs. At present, departments buy electricity for Rs 9 per unit, but with this scheme, departments will buy electricity for Rs 4 per unit and the government will save Rs 400 to 500 crore annually.