Farm Solar Case Study: 10HP Pump Saves ₹75k/Month

Customer Profile

• Location: Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu
• Crop: Paddy (rice) – 15 acres
• Previous setup: 10HP diesel pump running 6-8 hours/day
• Challenge: Diesel cost ₹2,500/day (₹75,000/month during season); frequent breakdowns
• Goal: Eliminate diesel dependency; improve irrigation reliability

Solution Installed

• System size: 15kW solar + 10HP DC pump
• Panel type: Tier-1 mono PERC 545W (28 panels)
• Inverter: Solar VFD drive for smooth pump control
• Total cost: ₹9L installed
• MNRE subsidy: 60% subsidy (~₹5.4L)
• Farmer paid: ₹3.6L after subsidy
• Installation time: 12 days including subsidy paperwork

Performance & Savings

• Daily generation: 60-75 units (enough for 6-8 hours pumping)
• Diesel eliminated: 25L/day saved = ₹2,500/day = ₹75,000/month
• Annual savings: ₹4.5L-5L (6-month crop season × 2 cycles)
• Payback: 3 years (₹3.6L paid / ₹1.2L annual savings)
• 25-year savings: ₹1.1Cr after ROI
• Additional benefit: Morning pumping starts earlier (6am vs 8am with diesel)

Farmer Testimonial

"Solar pump changed everything. No more diesel trips, no maintenance headaches. Water flows from sunrise to sunset. My neighbors saw my results and three of them installed solar pumps this season. Best agricultural investment I've made."

Key Learnings

• MNRE Kusum subsidy makes solar pumps affordable for small farmers
• DC pumps are more efficient than AC pumps for solar applications
• Morning irrigation starts earlier, improving crop water availability
• Zero fuel cost and minimal maintenance (panel cleaning only)
• System reliability reduces crop stress during critical watering periods

FAQ

• System size for 10HP? Typically 12-15kW; after MNRE subsidy, farmers pay ~₹2.5L-3L.
• Diesel savings? 10HP diesel pump uses ~25L/day (₹2,500); solar eliminates this = ₹75k/month saved.
• Subsidy available? Yes, MNRE Kusum covers 60-90% for solar pumps and farm rooftops.