Standalone solar pump
Replace a diesel pump with a solar one. No fuel, no grid needed. Under PM-KUSUM Component B.
Surya Krishi · For farmers
Free water every sunrise. More income from the same land.
Solar can replace diesel, irrigate in daylight and turn spare land into a second income. We explain your options in plain language and help you avoid fake schemes.
Your options
Six ways solar works on a farm
Not every option suits every farm. Water depth, land, crop and your DISCOM decide what makes money.
Solarise a grid pump
Add panels to an existing grid-connected pump and sell extra power. Component C.
Feeder-level solar
A solar plant supplies the agricultural feeder, giving daytime power to many farms.
Solar plant on spare land
Lease barren or fallow land for a small solar plant and earn steady income. Component A.
Agrivoltaics
Panels raised above crops on the same land: power plus a harvest, when designed carefully.
Farmhouse rooftop
Rooftop solar for the home and farm buildings, with or without a battery.
PM-KUSUM
What the scheme covers, and where it stands
- Pumps (B and C): usually central 30%, state at least 30%, farmer at most 40% of the benchmark or tender cost, whichever is lower. North-eastern and hill states: central 50%, farmer at most 20%.
- Timeline: MNRE has said projects under the current phase must be completed by 31 March 2027, and it is finalising PM-KUSUM 2.0. We update our guides when the new rules are notified.
- Where to apply: only through your state’s official nodal agency or DISCOM portal; ask your agriculture office which one runs it in your state. Never through a website that asks for a “registration fee”.
Beware fake KUSUM websites and agents
- Government portals end in .gov.in or .nic.in.
- No official scheme asks you to pay a registration fee to a personal account.
- “Pay ₹45,000 today, 90% subsidy” on the spot is a warning sign. Check first.
- Not sure? Send us the link or message on WhatsApp and we’ll check it with you, free.
Beyond pumps
Solar-powered farm businesses
From 2027 we want to help farmer groups start small businesses that run on the sun: solar drying for kokum, cashew and fish, small cold rooms for produce, and agrivoltaic plots that pay twice.
If you are part of a Farmer Producer Organisation or self-help group in Konkan or Goa and want to explore this, write to us. We are building the list of first partners now.
Talk to us