New Delhi. The scope of solar energy schemes of the Central Government is continuously increasing in the direction of reducing the cost of irrigation in agriculture and taking clean energy to the villages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while mentioning India's clean energy journey at the international conference of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi on September 19, said that its benefits are now reaching the agriculture sector along with homes.
Benefits of solar pump to farmers
Farmers are getting the facility of solar energy based irrigation through PM-Kusum scheme. According to government data, by August 2026, about 11.49 lakh off-grid solar agriculture pumps have been installed and more than 15.89 lakh agriculture pumps have been brought under the ambit of solarization at the feeder level. More than 21.77 lakh farmers have been benefited under the scheme.
This system gives farmers the option of using solar energy for irrigation along with reducing their dependence on diesel in farming. In some components, farmers can also sell excess power to Discoms under prescribed arrangements.
More than 50 lakh rooftop solar
The expansion of clean energy is not limited to farms only. PM Surya Ghar: Under the free electricity scheme, by August 2026, more than 50.06 lakh families across the country had been connected to rooftop solar. The government has also informed that about 19 lakh families will get zero electricity bills.
Big expansion in solar energy capacity
India's total installed solar power capacity has also increased rapidly over the years. According to government data, it was about 2.8 GW in 2014, which increased to 164.59 GW by July 2026. It is clear that solar energy has now become an important part of the country's energy infrastructure.