Abstract:
Solar pumps generating electricity for irrigation in the village of Dhundi in Gujarat state (India) are increasing farmer incomes and incentivising the sustainable use of groundwater and energy. Through selling the excess electricity, farmers owning the pumps have earned ‘climate-smart’ income. This pilot project also succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing diesel with solar pumps while contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. In 2018, the Energy Minister of Gujarat recognised the potential of the project and launched Suryashakti Kisan Yojna (SKY), where farmers can generate solar electricity and sell the surplus to the grid.
