Hyderabad: The move to popularise solar power for the agricultural sector remains only on paper as solar pump sets continue to come at exorbitant rates.
Manufacturers say that despite emphasis by the state government and showcasing it in various fairs, there are no takers for the pump. In fact, as per an internal report of the discoms, the huge transmission and distribution losses, due to usage of low quality pump sets, have been causing a huge dent in the energy supply, in the key agricultural districts, like Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Chittoor and West Godavari, where around 50 per cent of the total pump sets exists.
The main reason behind the energy efficiency plans to have failed in the agricultural sector, believe manufacturers, is that since free power is given to farmers, and at odd times, they are not accountable for wastage and, hence, have no motivation to purchase energy-efficient solar pump sets.
“Alt-hough some people like the idea of a solar pump set, they back out after seeing the huge price. The usage of solar pump sets needs to be mandated by the government,” said Vishwas Rao, a local manufacturer.
As there is absolutely no incentive to the farmers for efficiency, the efficiency of the pump sets is 18 to 20 per cent. With proper use of capacitors, good quality winding and bearings, this efficiency can be increased up to 60 per cent.
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on solar energy had earlier this year suggested 50 per cent subsidy for solar pump sets in the general category and 100 per cent subsidy for SC and ST categories.
“A minimum of '2 lakh is required to generate one horsepower of energy. That’s a very costly affair,” said Deepak Rao, a professional farmer.
