Rooftop Solar Cuts Energy Costs for Marathwada Farmer Groups

05 Jun 2026 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

23 Jul 2026

AI Data Centre Leaders Map India’s Infrastructure Roadmap

Mumbai, 22 July 2026: As artificial intelligence reshapes global digital infrastructure, industry leaders gathered in Mumbai today at the AI-Powered Data Centre Conference 2026 to discuss how India can build the capacity, technology and ecosystem required to emerge as a global AI infrastructure hub. Organised by ASAPP Info Global Group and conceptualised by FIRST Construction Council, the conference revolved around the theme, “From Capacity Gap to AI Superpower: Building India's Digital Backbone for the Intelligence Economy.” Bringing together developers, technology providers, enterpr..

SPML Infra raises over Rs 1.9 billion through preferential issue

SPML Infra has raised more than Rs 1.9 billion through a preferential issue of equity shares and convertible warrants, aimed at strengthening its balance sheet, funding growth and converting debt into equity.The company's board approved the allotment of 693,999 equity shares and 9.54 million convertible warrants at Rs 186 per security. The warrants are convertible into equity shares within 18 months in accordance with SEBI regulations.As part of the transaction, National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) converted an existing loan of Rs 71.6 million into 384,858 equity shares. SPML said the..

Gujarat's New Data Centre Policy Signals India's Next Leap in AI Infrastructure

Before diving into artificial intelligence, every country must first solve a more fundamental challenge. AI does not run on ambition alone. It runs on compute, power, connectivity and digital infrastructure. As nations compete to build sovereign AI capabilities and attract global technology investments, the race is increasingly shifting from developing AI applications to building the infrastructure that powers them.Acknowledging this new trend, the Government of Gujarat has introduced the Viksit Gujarat Data Centre Policy 2026-29 and thus emerged as a frontrunner for hyperscale data centres, c..