Groundwater is the backbone of irrigation in India. Hence electricity supply reliability and affordability for irrigation is an important issue as it concerns livelihoods of the rural poor and food security of the country. A new and innovative approach to addressing the issue of electricity and agriculture is through 'solar agriculture feeders'. This page lists relevant information on this topic.
A short animation explaining the solar feeder concept and its benefits is available below.
The mobile and projector versions are also available.
Webinar: Prayas (Energy Group) conducted a webinar explaining this approach in using solar power for meeting Indian agriculture electricity needs. Solar agriculture feeders are already being undertaken by Maharashtra under its Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder Policy (Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana). The webinar presented the details of the policy and regulatory framework for solar feeders and explains its various potential advantages. It also gave an update on the implementation status of this policy in Maharashtra as of December, 2018. The webinar began with opening remarks by Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, MD MSEDCL. Here are the slides used during the webinar.
Government of Maharashtra, Industries, Energy and Labour Department GRs on solar feeder.
Mission 2025 - On 24th April 2023, the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis launched the 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0' (MSKVY 2.0) and the Mission 2025 in Mumbai. This Mission lays down the foundation for a robust strategy and framework to make Maharashtra the leading state to achieve the ambitious goal of providing daytime reliable supply to all farmers through decentralised solar power in the coming few years.
Govt. of Mah GR dated 8-05-2023 - Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0: A Mission to supply reliable daytime electricity to farmers
Govt. of Mah GR, dated 2nd Nov, 2022: Regarding the revised policy for fixing the lease of the land required for solarization of the agricultural feeder under the Chief Ministers Solar Agriculture Feeder scheme and providing necessary assistance in making the necessary land available easily and quickly.
Govt. of Mah GR, dated 12th May, 2021: Solar Energy Electrification Campaign to connect Agricultural Pumps in the State
Govt. of Mah GR dated 17-03-2018- Amendment in Mukhyamantri Sour Krishi Vahini Yojana for effective implementation
Govt. of Mah GR dated 14-06-2017- Chief Minister's Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme
Govt of Maharashtra, Renewable Energy Policy, 2020
Govt of Maharashtra Cabinet Decision (Meeting No.50) dated 06-01-2021
Amendment in the implementation guidelines of PM-KUSUM scheme: 12th July 2023: Based on the implementation experience of PM KUSUM, it is observed that KUSUM C is gaining traction among states, and is very important due to its universal access to agriculture feeders. Most of the pumps that are grid connected pumps are now being solarized. For carrying out bids under Component C (FLS), land was observed to be the main issue. On examination of existing arrangements being carried out by various states, it is observed that land aggregation model being implemented by Maharashtra is forward-thinking and meticulously planned. The intention is to take land on lease with commensurate lease rent for farmers, to make sure the availability of land for solar projects.
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission orders on solar feeder
Case No. 32 of 2024 dated 6th March 2024: Petition filed by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) for seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 7783 MW through competitive bidding under MSKVY 2.0 scheme launched for implementation of feeder level solarization under component C of PM-KUSUM scheme connected to the distribution network.
Case No. 28 of 2024 dated 6th March 2024: Petition filed by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) for seeking approval to deviation in Standard Bidding Document (SBD) for long term procurement of solar power in order to meet the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations and to supply daytime power to the farmers under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0 through competitive bidding process.
Case No. 164 of 2023 dated 11th August, 2023: Petition by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) seeking approval for Procurement of 7000 MW Solar Power on Long Term Basis for 25 years under Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 and deviations in standard bidding document.
Case No. 43 of 2023 dated 11th May, 2023: Petition by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL) seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 150 MW solar power under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ from 2 to 10 MW capacity projects connected to distribution network.
Case No. 26 of 2023 dated 17th March, 2023: Petition by MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 8.7 MW solar power under ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Uthhan Mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM).
Case No. 222 of 2022 dated 17th March, 2023: Petition by MSEDCL seeking permission to procure of 500 MW Solar Power through MAHAPREIT’s Decentralised Solar Power Project under Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) at pre-decided tariff.
Case No. 182 of 2022, dated 11th November, 2022: Petition by MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 132.75 MW solar power under ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Uthhan Mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM).
Case No. 114 of 2022, dated 21st July, 2022: Petition by MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 14 MW solar power under ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Uthhan Mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM).
Case No. 115 of 2022 dated 21st July, 2022: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 535 MW solar power under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ from 2 to 10 MW capacity projects connected to distribution network.
Case No.50 of 2022, dated 6th May, 2022: Case of MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 385.3 MW solar power under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ from 2 to 10 MW capacity projects connected to distribution network, under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for meeting its Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No. 51 of 2022, dated 4th May, 2022: Case of MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 10.5 MW solar power under ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Uthhan Mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM) under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for meeting the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No. 23 of 2022, dated 25th April, 2022: Case of MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 31.75 MW solar power under ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Uthhan mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM) under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003 for meeting the solar renewable purchase obligations.
Case No. 9 of 2022, dated 16th February, 2022: Case of MSEDCL seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for long term procurement of 12.5 MW solar power under Component A of ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evem Uthhan Mahabhiyan’ (PM-KUSUM) under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003
Case No 214 of 2020, dated 18th December, 2020: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited seeking approval to float Open tenders under Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana.
Case No 189 of 2020, dated 29th October, 2020: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited seeking approval to float Open tenders and taking land on lease by paying rent under Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) Scheme.
Case No 10 of 2020, dated 21st May, 2020: Joint Petition filed by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd. and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. seeking approval for tariff rate of Rs 3.11/kwh for long term procurement of power for 100 MW AC cumulative capacity of solar PV power projects in Western and Northern regions of Maharashtra under "Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana".
Case No 80 of 2020, dated 16th May, 2020: Case of MSEDCL seeking approval for Adoption of Tariff for Long Term Procurement of 283 MW Power under 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana' from 2 to 10 MW Capacity Projects connected to Distribution Network under Section 63 of The Electricity Act 2003 for meeting the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No 311 of 2019, dated 13th January, 2020: Joint Petition filed by Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited & Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. seeking approval to the Deviations in Competitive Bidding Process adopted for 184 MW AC Cumulative Capacity Solar PV Power Projects at Western, Northern, Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vaahini Yojana’ for Procurement of Power through Competitive Bidding Process and for Adoption of Tariff Rate.
Case No 323 of 2019, dated 19th December, 2019: Petition filed by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. seeking approval for adoption of Tariff Discovered for Long Term Procurement of 5 MW Solar Power under 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana' from 2 to 10 MW capacity projects connected to Distribution Network under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003 for meeting the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No 310 of 2019, dated 23rd December, 2019: Joint Case filed by MSPGCL and MSEDCL for seeking adoption of tariff rate of Rs. 2.99/unit for long term procurement of power from 50 MW Solar power plant set up at various location in Western Maharashtra under 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vaahini Yojana'
Case No 112 of 2019, dated 11th September, 2019:Case of Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. seeking deviations in the PPA and approved PSA for the 252 MW out of 302 MW Solar PV projects being installed under 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana'
Case No 184 of 2019, dated 11th September, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. seeking approval for Adoption of Tariff rate of Rs 3.10/kWh for Long Term Procurement for 7 MW Solar Project under Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vaahini Yojana and for approval to the deviations sought in the Draft PSA and PPA.
Case No. 198 of 2019, dated 3rd September, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. seeking approval for procurement of additional 300 MW Solar Power from M/S EESL on long term basis.
Case No. 168 of 2019, dated 9th August, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd to review Order in Case No. 64 of 2019, seeking approval for adoption of tariff discovered for Long Term Procurement of 1170 MW solar power under 'Mukhyamantrisaur Krishi Vahini Yojana'.
Case No. 141 of 2019, dated 29th July, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited seeking approval for Deviation in Bidding Document for Long Term Procurement of Solar Power Under “Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vaahini Yojana”.
Case No. 64 of 2019And MA No 7 of 2019, dated 7th June, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. seeking approval for adoption of Tariff discovered for Long Term Procurement of 1170 MW Solar Power under 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana' for meeting the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations AND Intervention application of Shri. Nitin Shetty challenging the bidding process undertaken by MSEDCL under Section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003.
Case No. 15 of 2019, dated 22nd February, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) seeking approval for adoption of Tariff discovered through competitive bidding process conducted by MSPGCL for Long Term Procurement of 200 MW Solar Power, under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 from the solar Projects (Phase-I) to be set up under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ to meet its Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No. 7 of 2019, dated 15th Febraury, 2019: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. seeking approval for adoption of tariff for long term procurement of 180 MW Solar Power under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ with 2 to 10 MW Capacity projects connected to distribution network under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for meeting the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No. 308 of 2018, dated 29th November, 2018: Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) seeking approval for adoption of Tariff of Long Term Procurement of 302 MW Solar Power through MSPGCL from the solar Projects to be set up under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ to meet its Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No. 277 of 2018, dated 27th November, 2018: Petition of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) for seeking approval for long term procurement of 235MW Solar Power under ‘Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana’ with 2 to 10 MW Capacity projects connected to distribution network under section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for meeting the Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Case No. 172 of 2017, dated 16th October, 2018: MSPGCL seeking removal of difficulties in implementing “Mukhyamantri Solar Agricultural Feeder Scheme”, approval of draft PPA & PSA.
Case No. 270 of 2018, dated 16th October, 2018: MSEDCL seeking approval for deviation in SBGs for procurement of 1400 MW of Solar Power capacity under “Mukhyamantri Saour Krishi Vahini Yojana” with 2 to 10 MW size through reverse competitive bidding.
Case No. 178 of 2018, dated 19th July, 2018: MSEDCL seeking approval for supplying day-time power to Ag consumers connected to solar feeders.
Case No. 131 or 2018, dated 12th June, 2018: MSEDCL seeking approval for deviation in SBGs for procurement of 1000 MW of Solar Power capacity under “Mukhyamantri Saour Krishi Vahini Yojana” with 2 to 10 MW size through reverse competitive bidding.
Case No. 164 of 2017, dated 9th Jan, 2018: MSEDCL seeking approval for procurement of 200 MW of solar to be set up in the premises of its existing substations.
Articles
Two opinion pieces on this approach which appeared in the Hindu Businessline. Powering agriculture via solar feeders, December 2018. A Ray of Hope for Solar Powered Agriculture, July 2015.
An article on solar feeders, Solar Agricultural Feeders in Maharashtra: Providing Reliable Day-Time Electricity While Reducing Subsidies appeared in Akshay Urja (March-April 2019, Volume 12, Issue 5).