Having an engineering background, numbers speak to me more than anything else. Here is a rough calculation from some learnt facts.
1 Acre = ~ 4047 metre square
= 63m * 63m.
Lets assume, as farmer has over an acre of barren land. He tries solar installation in his field using 1/10th of his holding size i.e. 400 metre square [lenght =20m, breadth =20m].
1KW of solar panel costs ₹60,000/-.
60KW of solar panel costs ₹36,00,000/-.
The iron stand, Wiring system, Inverter adds to the cost, which might another ₹20,00,000/-
So, the total cost shall be ₹80,00,000/-
This kind of solar installation will generate 60*4 = 240KW/day &. 87,600KW/year.
In common man parlance, 1KW = 1 unit, which can be sold a 4 rupees to DISCOMS.
So, 87,600*4 = ₹3,50,400/year.
With costs coming down and efficiency of panels going up. I believe, there is a great way to make money for farmers.
MNRE provides 30% capital subsidy on capital expenditures for rooftop solar systems for both commercial and residential entities for systems up to 100 kW. The government also provides loans at 5% per annum for 50% of the capital expenditure for 5 years tenure for both commercial and residential entities. Commercial entities can claim either capital or interest subsidies.
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