(a) whether the Government has formulated/proposes to formulate any scheme for running of tubewells using solar energy, in view of drought, shortage of electricity and decreasing water level of rivers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the cost incurred on such tubewells at present;
(d) whether the Government proposes to reduce the price and promote its use; and
(e) if so, the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT
Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question
No. 328 for 11th December, 2009 regarding Solar Tubewells
(a),(b)&(c): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been implementing a scheme on
deployment of solar photovoltaic (SPV) water pumping systems for applications such as
community drinking water supply, agriculture and related uses including running of tubewells.
The SPV water pumping programme is implemented through the state renewable energy development
agencies and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). The installed cost of
a SPV water pumping system depends on the capacity and type of pump and varies from about
Rs.2.25 lakhs to Rs. 5.00 lakhs. The Ministry provides a central financial assistance of
Rs. 30 per watt of SPV array capacity used in the water pumping system, subject to a maximum
of Rs. 50,000 per system.
(d)&(e): The Ministry has been supporting research and development in solar photovoltaics with
an objective of reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency and life of solar cells,
modules and balance of system components. The reduction in cost of SPV modules will result
in the reduction of cost of the pumping systems. The Ministry has identified the thrust areas
of research and many research projects on different aspects of solar photovoltaic technology
are under implementation. Under the recently approved Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission,
these efforts would be strengthened further.