Enhancing solar pump penetration in rural India: A collaborative ownership model for sustainable irrigation

India's agricultural sector, historically dependent on diesel-powered and conventional electricity pumps for irrigation, faces pressing challenges related to high energy costs, grid instability, and environmental sustainability. In the context of growing uncertainty surrounding energy security and climate change, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM) Scheme, launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has yielded great benefits to many farmers and poses to be a game changer. It is aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers and honoring commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030. Under component B, PM-KUSUM Scheme provides farmers with subsidies of 30% to 50% for the installation of standalone solar pumps. The core objective of component B is to reduce the agricultural sector's dependence on conventional grid power and diesel-based systems, supporting farmers in mitigating energy costs and fostering sustainable farming practices. By 2024, over 6 lakh solar pumps have been installed under the PM-KUSUM scheme, with a target of 20 lakh pumps by 2025. This substantial growth reflects the growing shift towards sustainable energy solutions in rural areas. Despite the scheme's success, challenges persist, especially among small and marginal farmers, who account for the majority of India's agricultural population. High upfront costs, limited access to financing, delayed subsidy disbursements, and insufficient technical training hinder the widespread adoption of solar pumps. These obstacles highlight the need for innovative solutions for rural agricultural communities. The transition from diesel pumps to solar-powered systems offers significant environmental and economic benefits. Diesel-powered pumps, numbering 15-20 million in India, consume between 7.5 to 10 billion liters of diesel annually, contributing to 20 to 26.8 million tons of CO2 emissions each year. In contrast, solar pumps, as a form of DER, incur zero fuel costs and require minimal maintenance, providing a cleaner and more cost-effective solution over the long term. This paper also critically examines the limitations of the current subsidy-driven approach, which fails to adequately address the needs of small farmers or improve capacity utilization of pumps. To overcome these challenges, the paper advocates for the adoption of an “Irrigation as a Service” model, where solar pumps are offered as a service, including installation, maintenance, and technical support. This model can reduce financial barriers and simplify adoption, especially for small-scale farmers who are depending on diesel powered owned or hired pumps. Irrigation as a Service model for small-scale farmers, is proposed to increase flexibility and scalability. This paper explores an innovative model to increase solar pump adoption in rural India by transitioning from individual ownership to a collaborative ownership model. By enabling few neighboring farmers to collectively use a solar pump, either through third-party ownership or combined farmer ownership, the model addresses significant barriers such as high initial costs and low utilization rates. The paper aims to generate awareness and interest in this collaborative approach, proposing different models that could facilitate widespread adoption, enhance sustainable energy use, and contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality.