A 7.5HP diesel pump running 8 hours per day consumes approximately 18 to 22 litres of diesel. At current Rajasthan diesel prices of around Rs. 93 per litre, that is Rs. 1,700 to Rs. 2,000 per day in fuel costs alone. Over a 90-day kharif season, a single farmer spends Rs. 1.5 to Rs. 1.8 lakh on diesel.
A 7.5HP solar pump system costs approximately Rs. 4 to Rs. 5 lakh at market rate. Under PM KUSUM Component B, the farmer pays only 10 percent, with 30 percent each from Central and State Governments. The farmer's actual outlay can be as low as Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000.
Running cost: zero.
Every solar pump we install includes a mobile controller. Start and stop the pump via SMS from anywhere. For farmers who drive to the farm daily just to switch a diesel engine, this transformation is immediate and profound.
For a farmer spending Rs. 1.5 lakh per season on diesel, the payback on the farmer's 10 percent contribution is less than four months of irrigation. Even without subsidy, the full-price system pays back in 2 to 3 seasons.
Diesel engines require oil changes every 250 hours, fuel filter replacement, injector servicing, and regular mechanical attention. Annual maintenance cost: Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000.
Solar pumps have no engine to maintain. Standard annual servicing costs Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000. The solar panels require only occasional cleaning.
Over 25 years, a farmer who switches to solar will typically save Rs. 25 to Rs. 40 lakh in fuel and maintenance costs at today's prices.
Free site survey and personalised quote from our team.
