USE OF SOLAR POWER IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KUSUM SCHEME

The genesis of all the forms of energy is solar energy. Now, this energy can be made use of in two ways- the ‘thermal route’ i.e. using the energy or the heat for drying, heating, cooking or secondly, through the ‘Photovoltaic route’ which alters the solar energy into electricity that can be used for innumerable purposes such as lighting, pumping, using different machineries etc. The latter route is also called as generation of electricity. Considering the pollution level in our environment, it is very important for all of us to eliminate the pollution and the pollutants.  To achieve the pollution free nature, solar energy is a very attractive energy resource. Solar Energy can be utilized for varied applications. 

As far as India is considered, our country has an incredible possibility of generating solar energy. The reason for the same is the fact that the geographical location of the country provides benefits for generating solar energy. India is a tropical country and due to this fact, it receives solar radiation almost throughout the year. States which fall under the middle region of our map like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal have great potential for capturing solar energy due to their location. 

Some of the advantages of solar energy which makes it more suitable for India are as follows:

• This is an unlimited source of energy and the best alternative to other non-renewable energies in India.
• Solar energy is environmentally friendly. The reason being that it does not release carbon dioxide and other gases which pollute the air. Hence it is very suitable for India which is one of the most polluted countries of the world.
• Solar energy can be used for household purposes like heating, drying, cooking etc, which is very much suitable for the rural areas in India as well. 
• In a country like India, where power generation is costly, solar energy is the best substitute means of power generation.
• To install a solar energy system, there is no requirement of any sort of appliance or any particular location. Solar panels can be easily placed in houses. Hence, it is quite inexpensive compared to other sources of energy. 
• Use of solar energy can decrease the use of firewood and dung cakes used by rural household

Keeping the importance and advantages of solar energy, the Government of India has also taken steps in order to promote the same. Kusum (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) Scheme was launched under the Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy. On 1st February 2020 union budget was announced and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government will make efforts to double the farmer’s income by 2022 and has a sharp focus for the development of the agriculture sector.  In this concern the government has decided to spend the benefits of this scheme to the farmers for the setup of solar pumps and to enhance their income.

The aim of Pradhan Mantri Solar Pump Yojana is to provide the extra income sources to the farmers of India. With the help of Kusum Scheme, the government is planning to update the irrigation system of India and as well as promoting solar power production. 

The Kusum Scheme consists of three components:

1. Component A:  Under the Component, Renewable Energy-Based Power Plants (REPP) have to be set up by individual farmers or groups of farmers on barren or any fallow land where crops can be grown below solar panels. 
2. Component B:  Under this Component, individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar Agriculture pumps. 
3. Component C: Under this Component, individual farmers having a grid-connected agriculture pump will be supported to solarise pumps. They will be able to use the generated power to meet the irrigation requirements. 

The Kusum Scheme aims to open a stable and continuous source of income for the rural landowners for a period of 25 years by utilization of their dry or uncultivable land. Further, in case cultivated fields are chosen for setting up solar power projects, the farmers could continue to grow crops as the solar panels are to be set up above a minimum height.

The proposed Scheme would ensure that sufficient local solar/ other renewable energy-based power is available for nourishing rural load centres and agriculture pump-set loads, which require power mostly during the day time. As these power plants will be located closer to the agriculture loads or to electrical substations in a decentralized manner, it will result in reduced Transmission losses Discoms. 

The solar pumps will save the expenditure incurred on diesel for running diesel pumps and provide the farmers with a reliable source of irrigation through the solar pump apart from preventing harmful pollution from running diesel pumps..

India, a rapidly growing economy with a growing population and is facing a huge energy demand. Since more than 50 percent of the population live in rural areas, there is much opportunity for solar energy being promoted in those areas. Therefore, it is high time that our country should concentrate more on energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. To meet this demand, solar energy is the best form of energy to fulfil the needs of India and connect the energy demand-supply gap. The application of Kusum Scheme will definitely give the enhancement to the production of solar energy.