A 221-kW rooftop solar installation by Freyr Energy is helping a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) in Maharashtra's Marathwada region reduce energy costs and improve operational efficiency, highlighting the growing role of renewable energy in strengthening rural agri-businesses.

Marathwada Agro Process Farmer Producer Company, based in Kallam, Dharashiv, commissioned the rooftop solar system to support milk processing, cold storage and other utility operations. The installation generates around 316,800 kWh annually, meeting approximately 61 per cent of the FPO's annual energy requirement of 515,500 kWh.

According to Freyr Energy, the system is delivering annual savings of about Rs 2.31 million and is expected to achieve a return on investment within three to four years. The solar installation has also helped improve storage efficiency, reduce operational costs and ensure a more reliable power supply.

"The transition to rooftop solar reflects a broader shift in how farmer-led enterprises are approaching operational sustainability and long-term growth," said Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder and Director, Freyr Energy. "FPOs investing in rooftop solar are not only reducing operational costs but also ensuring reliable energy access for critical agri-business activities."

The development comes as farmers across Marathwada increasingly turn to renewable energy solutions amid recurring droughts, groundwater depletion, rising energy costs and dependence on grid-connected power.

The region's eight districts have collectively installed 93,251 rooftop solar systems under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with a combined capacity of 341 MW. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar leads the region with more than 37,487 installations. Freyr Energy currently has nearly 13 MW of installed solar capacity across Maharashtra and aims to solarise over 20,000 homes and 2,000 MSMEs by 2030.