Now Reading: Maharashtra farmers get cheaper solar pumps with 60% subsidy
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Maharashtra farmers get cheaper solar pumps with 60% subsidy
Maharashtra farmers pay only 5-10% of the cost to install solar pumps, the lowest share among major states, due to a 60% state subsidy, said Gopal Kabra, CMD of GK Energy. In contrast, farmers in Uttar Pradesh bear 30% of the cost, in Haryana 20-25%, and in Madhya Pradesh 40%.
Kabra said the subsidy is justified because a new grid connection costs Rs 1.2-1.4 lakh per farm plus cross-subsidy for free power, making solar pumps cheaper overall. Over 15 lakh solar pumps have been installed in Maharashtra, helping the state set a Guinness World Record on December 5, 2025, by installing 45,911 off-grid solar pumps in 30 days.
GK Energy has installed 1.7 lakh pumps, generating 750 MW of power. Kabra said the scheme has made water available for 12 lakh hectares, allowing farmers to grow 2-3 crops instead of one. The company targets 1 million farmers by 2030 and reported revenue of over Rs 500 crore with a profit of Rs 60 crore.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The subsidy makes Maharashtra a test case for weaning farmers off free grid power, which costs discoms heavily. The state pays 60% of pump cost, but saves on transformer maintenance and cross-subsidy. With 15 lakh pumps installed, the model is large enough to show if solar pumps actually reduce discom losses or just shift the burden. Watch for state-level data on power subsidy savings versus solar subsidy outlay. The next milestone is whether GK Energy hits its 1 million farmer target by 2030.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
