Punjab’s New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Aman Arora has said that 663 more solar water pumps for agricultural use will be installed within the next few months.
Work on the installation of 2,356 solar pumps has already been on since last month. He said this will not only reduce fuel costs but also lead to zero carbon emissions, promoting more sustainable farming practices.
The Minister declared that a subsidy of 60% is available for general category farmers and 80% for Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers for installing solar pumps. In dark zones (over-exploited groundwater blocks), these pumps will be installed for farmers who already have microirrigation systems.
He has directed the Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA) officials to make all-out efforts to achieve the set target of installing 20,000 agricultural solar pumps in the State for the welfare of the farmers and the environment.