Instead of waiting endlessly for power connection, K. Thirumoorthy, a progressive farmer of A. Perumapalayam, has embraced the solar option entailing attractive subsidy to irrigate his 4.5 acre field where he raises vembu trees.
With only 20 per cent contribution, plus tax, amounting to a little over Rs. 95,000 for the nearly Rs. 4 lakh project, Thirumoorthy is able to heave a huge sigh of relief. Under the guidance of the Agricultural Engineering Department, Thirumoorthy has availed himself of 50 per cent subsidy provided under National Agriculture Development Programme, and 30 per cent routed through Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The five HP solar Photovoltaic pumping system is able to wet the growing trees in the entire length and breadth of the 4.5 acres through drip irrigation. And, for installing the drip-irrigation system, Thirumoorthy had already benefited from substantial subsidy benefit under another government scheme.
The pump was functioning with nearly 52 per cent efficiency, Agriculture Department officials explained to District Collector S. Prabakaran during an inspection on Wednesday. The Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering, and Horticulture Departments are mid-way through installing 168 solar pumps - 69 in Erode Division and 99 in Gobi Division - across the district.
“Initially, the sanction was made only for 50 solar pump sets. The numbers were increased in view of the demand,” said M. Selvaraj, Joint Director of Agriculture.
The panels generate enough energy to power the pump for 8 to 12 hours every day, he said.
According to the farmer, solar energy is the best and ultimate option for farms categorised as non-service areas that are out of bounds of conventional energy transmitted through Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation.
Agriculture department officials explained that the farmers’ share of investment was quite nominal, considering the several thousands of rupees they would otherwise have to spend on operating oil engines and diesel pump sets. Most of all, they make the most of natural energy and safeguard the farms from pollution.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/solar-option-entails-attractive-subsidy-for-farmers/article6637981.ece