Agricultural Solarisation Offers 116 GW Opportunity for Solar Makers
ECONOMY & POLICY

Agricultural Solarisation Offers 116 GW Opportunity for Solar Makers

India’s agricultural sector could generate demand for an additional 116 GW of solar modules, creating a major opportunity for domestic manufacturers and supporting the expansion of the country’s solar manufacturing ecosystem, according to a report by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA). The report was launched at the Bharat RE Summit.

The report estimated that grid-connected irrigation pumps could account for 100 GW of demand, while diesel-powered pumps could contribute a further 16 GW. The estimate excludes diesel pumps located in groundwater-stressed areas. India has nearly 23,000,000 irrigation pumps, making agricultural solarisation a substantial potential market for locally produced modules and cells.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme added a record 7.6 GW of solar capacity in FY 2025–26, the report said. More than 2,800,000 irrigation pumps had been solarised by July 2026. It highlighted the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) under Components B and C as an important support for Indian manufacturers.

By October 2026, 13.8 GW of capacity had been installed under the two components, meeting nearly two-thirds of the 20.8 GW domestic manufacturing demand originally projected. Agriculture accounts for 17.88 per cent of India’s electricity consumption, while tariff subsidies billed by power distribution companies doubled from Rs. 1.21 tn in FY20 to Rs. 2.41 tn in FY25.

The report said solarising agricultural pumps and feeders could improve power availability for farmers while supporting more sustainable energy use. It recommended retaining DCR provisions, setting state-wise targets and establishing multi-year tender pipelines to provide manufacturers with greater certainty. It also called for stronger implementation arrangements covering land access, clearances and grid connectivity, along with expanded upstream production of wafers and ingots to deepen the domestic supply chain.

India’s agricultural sector could generate demand for an additional 116 GW of solar modules, creating a major opportunity for domestic manufacturers and supporting the expansion of the country’s solar manufacturing ecosystem, according to a report by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA). The report was launched at the Bharat RE Summit. The report estimated that grid-connected irrigation pumps could account for 100 GW of demand, while diesel-powered pumps could contribute a further 16 GW. The estimate excludes diesel pumps located in groundwater-stressed areas. India has nearly 23,000,000 irrigation pumps, making agricultural solarisation a substantial potential market for locally produced modules and cells. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme added a record 7.6 GW of solar capacity in FY 2025–26, the report said. More than 2,800,000 irrigation pumps had been solarised by July 2026. It highlighted the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) under Components B and C as an important support for Indian manufacturers. By October 2026, 13.8 GW of capacity had been installed under the two components, meeting nearly two-thirds of the 20.8 GW domestic manufacturing demand originally projected. Agriculture accounts for 17.88 per cent of India’s electricity consumption, while tariff subsidies billed by power distribution companies doubled from Rs. 1.21 tn in FY20 to Rs. 2.41 tn in FY25. The report said solarising agricultural pumps and feeders could improve power availability for farmers while supporting more sustainable energy use. It recommended retaining DCR provisions, setting state-wise targets and establishing multi-year tender pipelines to provide manufacturers with greater certainty. It also called for stronger implementation arrangements covering land access, clearances and grid connectivity, along with expanded upstream production of wafers and ingots to deepen the domestic supply chain.

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