Solar Energy Use in Agriculture for Enhancing Farmers’ Income: A Case of Solar Tubewell in North-Western Rajasthan

Abstract

This study conducted in north-western Rajasthan, has examined the capital cost and subsidy in the installation of solar tubewell, its feasibility and benefits realization and has identified constraints in the adoption of solar tubewells. Following random sampling technique, primary data were collected from 124 sample farmers. The study has shown that although, adoption of solar tubewell has a direct relation with farm-size, a considerable proportion of small and marginal farmers also adopted solar tubewells. In recent years, the subsidy component has been reduced in total investment on solar tubewells. Solar tubewells provide impressive economic and water-saving benefits to the farmers and investment with current rate of subsidy in solar tubewell has been found to be feasible. However, without subsidies, investment in solar tubewell is not economically feasible. Due to financial considerations, all categories of farmers were reluctant in adoption of solar tubewells to the expected extent. To realize the benefits of solar energy use in agriculture, efforts should be directed towards more financial incentives to ensure faster adoption and group-adoption and provision for buy back of surplus power to discourage over-exploitation of groundwater and realization of extra income by the farmers.

Solar and electric irrigation system in kinnow orchard of Rajasthan: Comparative evaluation

“…Hence, the solar irrigation system found to be cost effective (lesser cost) in its maintenance (Singh et al 2017 andMeena et al 2018). The comparison of the life cycle cost like operational, maintenance and fuel costs were higher portable, sustainable and eco-friendly and economically feasible and viable device for irrigation.…”

“…The costs and returns estimates were discounted at an annual rate of interest of 12% for the medium term investment for each year. Comparative returns under solar irrigation orchard estimated to be higher side than the electric irrigation system due to the merit of solar system which supplies energy to pump water un-interrupted as the water is required to maintain fertility of soils in Rajasthan at regular and continuous basis (Hossain et al 2015 andSingh et al 2017).The Net Present Value (NPV) of electric and solar irrigation estimated to be of ` 798964, ` 842521, respectively in kinnow orchard (Table 2).…”

“…In the state of Rajasthan establishing the solar unit programme was started in 2008-09 with a target of 14 solar pumps. Further, in 2010-11 the target of 50 units to 500 in 2011-12, 2200 solar units in 2012-13 and to 10 thousand units in 2013-14 to cover all the 33 districts of the state (Singh et al 2017). In respect to solar the state of Rajasthan is blessed highest numbers of sunny days (325) which produces of 6-7 kWh/m 2 per day solar radiation on earth (Lal et al 2013).…”

Solar energy an income accelerating option for irrigation of Kinnow orchard: An example in Rajasthan state of India

“…In Rajasthan establishing the solar unit programme was started in 2008-09 with a target of 14 solar pumps. Further, in 2010-11 the target of 50 units to 500 in 2011-12, 2200 solar units in 2012-13 and to 10 thousand units in 2013-14 to cover all the 33 districts of the state (Singh et al 2017). Since the state of Rajasthan is rich in renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar for irrigation.…”

“…It became possible because of novelty (high benefit cost ratio) of the PV solar pump (Panwar et al 2011 andIRENA 2015). Consequently, 29667 units of PV solar pumps have been installed in the state of Rajasthan in the year of 2014-2017, which was the highest number (Singh et al 2017). In future the state is planning to enhance the PV units with its 7.5-10.0 hp (Singh et al 2017).…”