Solar water pumps

Tata Power is looking to expand its renewable power portfolio in Rajasthan to 10 GW in the next five years, from around 5 GW at present. It will also set up solar manufacturing units in the state.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar have developed a solar power system that can be easily moved between farms to pump water for irrigation. The kit comprises solar panels and an inverter to power a surface-mounted pump.

The Indian Government has mandated that preference be given to domestically manufactured renewable energy products in public procurement. As per the order, 100% of the solar modules for grid-connected solar power projects must be domestically manufactured.

Greenpeace India, Germi, and the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program have released a report stating that the Indian government’s latest ambitions to deploy solar water pumps could meet the country’s solar PV target of 100 GW, if done comprehensively. So far the plan goes as far as 28 GW, and still needs legislative approval.

A new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization outlines the benefits of solar powered irrigation systems to both large and small scale farming operations in developing countries. The report also stresses the need for comprehensive management and regulation of such systems, to avoid unsustainable water use.