A large part of the Indian population is still dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. But over the years the water tables have dropped resulting in less cultivable land and reduced crop yield across the country.

This has shifted the focus on the need to have proper irrigation facilities and to create an alternative electricity supply model such as solar.

Solar panels bring with them many advantages mainly energy independence. A farm accelerated with solar panels is efficient enough to generate electricity for its day-to-day tasks. It is not dependent on subsidized electricity supplied by the national grid.

Solar panels are a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy. They are a sustainable and cost-efficient way of generating electricity that can be used in all the sections of agriculture including irrigation.

Major benefits of solar powered plants in agriculture

  • Secured and safe energy source

Most of the rural areas in India do not have proper access to electricity grids depriving farmers of assured electricity supply.

This is where installing solar panels is extremely useful, as it provides farmers a secured and safe electricity source. This independent and alternative energy system is very beneficial for irrigation as the panels can provide a consistent power supply, especially during sunny days when plants require more water.

  • Increases Efficiency

Installing solar panels in farms will allow farmers to produce better yield more efficiently as it provides them with an uninterrupted electricity supply. Also, it increases the possibility of storing electricity through batteries during the night hours.

  • Low operating cost and maintenance

As solar panels utilize energy from the sun there is no additional cost incurred for their day-to-day operations. They require minimum maintenance cost when compared to power generated from the grid.

  • Excess electricity feed-in

The excess electricity produced by farmers from the solar panels can be supplied back to the national grid. The farmers can not only earn extra profit from this but also allows national grids to supply this excess electricity to the nearby farms.