Telangana: Non-agricultural lands to have solar units to help farmers

As part of this, the government has decided to encourage the installation of solar plants in non-agricultural lands by motivating farmers under the PM-KUSUM scheme

Karimnagar: In order to protect the environment and provide additional income to farmers, the State government has decided to install solar power plans in non-agricultural lands.

As part of this, the government has decided to encourage the installation of solar plants in non-agricultural lands by motivating farmers under the PM-KUSUM scheme.

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With an aim to install 3000 MW units in non-agricultural lands across the State, TGREDCO is inviting applications from interested farmers. February 22 is the last date to send online applications by visiting the www.tgredco.telangana.gov.in website.

Under the scheme, farmers can install 500 KW to 2 MW units depending on the availability of land. TGNPDCL will purchase the power generated in solar units at a rate fixed by the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC).

Based on the CIBIL score of the beneficiary, banks would provide a 70 percent loan while the beneficiary has to bear the remaining amount. Either an individual or a group of farmers can establish the units. Once a unit was established, farmers could get income for a period of 25 years.

However, the land should be located near to 33/11 kv sub-station so that the solar power could easily be interlinked to the grid. So far, about 32 farmers here have sent online applications, officials said.