PUNJAB MULLS TO INCENTIVISE FARMERS FOR SURPLUS SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION, SAYS AMAN ARORA

• Over 5K Agri-Solar pumps already allocated to farmers
• 34MW capacity solar PV panels installed on Govt buildings; generating over 4.9 crore units of electricity annually
• New & Renewable Energy Minister replies during question hour in State Assembly

Chandigarh, March 25:

In a groundbreaking initiative to make the state leader in green energy production, the Punjab Government is mulling to incentivise farmers for producing surplus solar energy through solar pumps installed for agriculture use, announced Mr. Aman Arora, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Sources, Punjab.

He was replying to a question raised by Mr. Naresh Puri, MLA from Sujanpur Assembly constituency during the question hour in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Tuesday.

Mr. Aman Arora said that this forward-thinking move would empower the state farmers, besides bolstering the renewable energy sector and contribute to a sustainable future of the state. Under this proposed policy, the farmers would be compensated for excess solar energy generated beyond their own consumption needs. This surplus energy will be fed into the grid, contributing to the state's energy supply and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels for a greener and more sustainable Punjab.

"By empowering farmers to become active participants in the renewable energy sector, we are not only promoting clean energy but also creating new economic opportunities for our farmers," Mr. Aman Arora said while adding that Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will install 20,000 solar pumps for agriculture purposes and out of which, over 5,000 solar pumps have already been allocated to the farmers in the state.

Mr. Aman Arora also shared that 4,474 government buildings have been equipped with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a capacity of 34 MW solar. These rooftop solar panels are generating over 4.9 crore units of electricity annually. Further, PEDA has planned 100 MW capacity solar power plants to be set up on the Government buildings in the next two financial years.

He further highlighted that the grid connected rooftop solar PV power plants generate power at the consumer point, which helps reduce network losses in distribution. The electricity generated also aids in bridging the demand and supply gap, enabling the PSPCL to meet its renewable purchase obligation targets as specified by the Electricity Regulatory Commissions. The PV grid connected systems generate power during the daytime and feed excess power back into the grid, he added.