PM-KUSUM: Solarizing India’s Irrigation Pumps

Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Full name: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan

PM-KUSUM addresses two problems at once for Indian farmers: the high recurring cost of diesel for irrigation pumps, and the opportunity to turn farmland into a source of clean power income. The scheme runs in three components.

Component A: Setting up small, standalone solar power plants (0.5–2 MW) on barren or farmland, with the generated power sold to DISCOMs under long-term agreements — giving farmers or farmer groups a steady income from land that would otherwise sit idle.

Component B: Installation of standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps of individual capacity up to 7.5 HP, replacing diesel pumps in areas without grid access.

Component C: Solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps, letting farmers use solar power during the day and sell surplus back to the grid.

Central financial assistance covers a significant share of project cost, with state governments typically topping up the subsidy further — farmers usually bear only a fraction of the total cost after both subsidies are applied.