Solar-Powered Irrigation: A Sustainable Solution for Energy and Water Challenges in Rural India

Volume: 11 | Issue: 02 | Year 2025 | Subscription
International Journal of Renewable Energy and its Commercialization
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Published On: 2025-06-06
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By: Radhika Girish Lampuse, Sahil Shah, Aravind Reddy Boozula, and Jigar Thakkar.

1. Solar Energy Assessments, DNV Energy USA Inc., United States
2. Resource Modeling, NextEra Analytics, United States
3. Verification & Validation, Enersys Delaware Inc. United States
4. Program Management & Analytics, Exponent, Inc., United States

Abstract

In India, where a significant portion of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, farmers face persistent challenges due to inadequate rainfall, limited energy access, and high dependency on expensive water sources for irrigation. These issues contribute to a cycle of debt and distress in rural communities, particularly in drought-prone regions like Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM) scheme aims to promote solar-powered irrigation as a viable alternative for Indian farmers facing challenges due to erratic electricity supply and groundwater depletion. This paper presents the design and feasibility analysis of a solar-powered irrigation system aimed at alleviating these challenges, built under the PM-KUSUM scheme. The proposed system combines solar energy generation with net metering technology to provide affordable electricity for irrigation and generate additional revenue by selling surplus energy back to the grid. The study includes a comprehensive market assessment, regulatory analysis, technical solar resource evaluation, financial feasibility analysis, and risk and impact assessment. By assessing feasibility through a multidimensional, data-driven approach, this paper aims to contribute to the broader discourse on renewable energy integration in India’s agricultural sector.

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How to cite this article: Radhika Girish Lampuse, Sahil Shah, Aravind Reddy Boozula, and Jigar Thakkar Solar-Powered Irrigation: A Sustainable Solution for Energy and Water Challenges in Rural India. International Journal of Renewable Energy and its Commercialization. 2025; 11(02): -p.

How to cite this URL: Radhika Girish Lampuse, Sahil Shah, Aravind Reddy Boozula, and Jigar Thakkar, Solar-Powered Irrigation: A Sustainable Solution for Energy and Water Challenges in Rural India. International Journal of Renewable Energy and its Commercialization. 2025; 11(02): -p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijrec/article=18090

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