Irrigation for farmers in the paddy fields of the Siliguri and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal is a major concern. This region, known for its scenic beauty, tea plantations, and fertile soil, remains heavily dependent on rainfall for irrigation. Implementing solar pumps for irrigation in West Bengal can offer a sustainable and efficient solution to this ongoing challenge.
To reduce their reliance on monsoons, Indian farmers have adopted 12 million electricity connections and 9 million diesel pump sets to pump groundwater. However, this increasing dependence on conventional energy sources is leading to a surge in agricultural energy demands.
The Alternative: Solar Energy for Irrigation
With declining solar module prices, solar-powered pumps are emerging as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for irrigation.
Concerns About Overuse of Solar Pumps
A potential downside of solar-powered irrigation is the risk of excessive groundwater extraction. Since solar energy is abundant in India, farmers might be less cautious about managing water usage, further depleting groundwater levels.
To address this issue, a World Bank-supported irrigation project in West Bengal is testing a service contract model for solar pumps. Under this model, payments to contractors are based on the amount of water delivered, monitored through GPRS and remote sensing technology. This system helps regulate water use and prevent over-extraction.
Are Solar Pumps Cost-Effective?
While the initial installation cost of solar pumps may seem high, the long-term benefits outweigh this expense. The key advantages include:
Zero operational costs – Once installed, solar pumps require minimal maintenance and no fuel.
Durability – A solar pump can function efficiently for over 25 years with low management costs.
Financial support – Increased lending from commercial and public banks in India can make solar pump adoption more accessible to farmers.
Reliability with Solar Pump for Irrigation
Solar pumps work efficiently for 90% of the year. While there are 60-70 cloudy or rainy days annually when solar pumps may not function optimally, these are also the times when irrigation is less necessary. Water or energy storage solutions can help bridge the gap on non-sunny days.
Additionally, the feasibility of large solar pumps is limited by small land holdings. Sharing water from solar-powered pumps among multiple farmers can improve efficiency. With abundant sunlight, solar pumps for irrigation in West Bengal help farmers reduce dependency on diesel and electricity while ensuring consistent crop growth.
Environmental Benefits of Solar Pump for Irrigation
India consumes:
– 4 billion liters of diesel annually (13% of India’s total diesel consumption)
– 85 million tons of coal annually (19% of India’s total coal consumption)
Switching 50% of diesel pumps to solar-powered alternatives could reduce diesel consumption by 225 million liters per year, significantly cutting emissions and fuel dependency. Solar pumps for irrigation in West Bengal are revolutionizing farming by providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution to water scarcity.
Bengal Sun Solar Energy: Leading the Solar Revolution
Bengal Sun Solar Energy (I) Private Ltd is at the forefront of integrating solar energy into agriculture. As the leading solar panel manufacturer in West Bengal, they provide high-quality, efficient, and sustainable solar solutions for farmers.
