Implementing Solar Irrigation Sustainably

The document outlines a framework for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme in India, specifically focusing on feeder-level solarization. It argues that while solarizing agricultural feeders can increase farm incomes and reduce the financial burden of electricity subsidies on distribution companies, implementation must account for the 'water–energy–food nexus' to avoid negative impacts on groundwater. The guide offers practical suggestions on financing, inter-departmental coordination, and the integration of innovative approaches like agrivoltaics to maximize social and environmental benefits for low-income and marginal farmers.

• Solarizing agricultural feeders has the potential to improve farmer well-being and reduce the financial strain on electricity distribution companies, as a review of tariff orders across 17 states and Union Territories revealed that 75% of all such subsidies are allocated to agriculture.
• Sustainable implementation of solar irrigation requires managing the 'water–energy–food nexus' to prevent interventions in one area from causing unexpected negative consequences in others, particularly regarding groundwater resources.
• To scale up decentralized solar plants, states must focus on reducing financing risks and can utilize early deployments to test innovative models such as direct benefit transfer incentives and agrivoltaics.

APA

,, A. R. G. S. B. P. K. K. (2023). Implementing Solar Irrigation Sustainably. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/implementing-solar-irrigation-sustainably

Chicago

,, Anas Rahman,Siddharth Goel,Akash Sharma,Christopher Beaton,Florian Postel,Kritika Kumar,Ujjwal Kumar. Implementing Solar Irrigation Sustainably. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/implementing-solar-irrigation-sustainably.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=, |first1=Anas Rahman,Siddharth Goel,Akash Sharma,Christopher Beaton,Florian Postel,Kritika Kumar,Ujjwal Kumar |title=Implementing Solar Irrigation Sustainably |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=29 May 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/implementing-solar-irrigation-sustainably |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{2023implementing, author = {,, Anas Rahman,Siddharth Goel,Akash Sharma,Christopher Beaton,Florian Postel,Kritika Kumar,Ujjwal Kumar}, title = {{Implementing Solar Irrigation Sustainably}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/implementing-solar-irrigation-sustainably}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }