MNRE issues guidelines for implementation of feeder-level solarisation

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued guidelines for the implementation of feeder-level solarisation under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) after consultation with state governments. In February 2019, the government had approved the launch of PM-KUSUM to provide financial and water security to farmers through harnessing solar energy capacity of 25.75 GW by 2022. Component C of the scheme provides for solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps. After consultation with states, it has been decided to also allow feeder-level solarisation where instead of putting up solar panels at each individual agricultural pump, a single solar power plant with a capacity adequate to supply power to an agricultural feeder or multiple feeders will be set up.