Farmers may be allowed to install solar panels soon

New Delhi, July 4

New and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh said soon (15-20 days) a new scheme would be launched allowing farmers to set up 2 MW solar panels to produce power to be bought by the government.

RK Singh, a former Union Home Secretary, said farmers could earn up to Rs 1 lakh per year per acre.

While replying to a question during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, he said farmers not having enough capital for the purpose would have the option to allow developers to set up such a farm on their land. Despite himself being an MP from Bihar, the minister said he had written several letters to the state government seeking proposals for setting up solar parks, but has not received any response.

“Lot of land is there in Bihar to set up these parks... There is a power deficit in Bihar and they need power,” he said. Singh expressed confidence that the government would achieve the target of installing 175 GW renewable power projects by 2022. — TNS