“Gujarat’s Suryashakti Kisan Yojana is revolutionizing farming with a 60% subsidy on solar panel installations, enabling farmers to generate clean energy and earn from surplus power. Backed by the PM Surya Ghar scheme, the state aims for 100 GW renewable capacity by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and boosting rural incomes.”
Gujarat’s Farmers Lead India’s Solar Revolution
Gujarat, India’s renewable energy powerhouse, is accelerating its clean energy ambitions through the Suryashakti Kisan Yojana, a transformative scheme launched in 2022 to integrate solar power into agriculture. As of June 2025, the program offers farmers a 60% subsidy on solar panel installations, with 30% of the project cost available as low-interest loans (4.5-6% interest rates). This initiative allows farmers to install solar panels on their farmland, generate electricity for irrigation, and sell surplus power back to the grid, creating a dual benefit of sustainable farming and additional income.
The state’s Renewable Energy Policy 2023, effective until 2028, underscores this commitment, targeting 100 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Gujarat already leads India in rooftop solar capacity under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with 4,337.25 MW installed as of October 2024, far surpassing Maharashtra’s 2,651.81 MW. The policy also supports net metering for systems up to 1 MW, enabling farmers to offset electricity costs efficiently.
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, farmers receive a 40% subsidy for rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW and 20% for systems between 3-10 kW. No GST is applied on subsidized components, further lowering costs. For instance, a 3 kW system qualifies for ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 for the additional kW, making solar adoption financially viable for small and marginal farmers.
Gujarat’s geographical advantage—5.5 to 6 kWh/m²/day of solar radiation and 300 sunny days annually—makes it ideal for solar energy. The state’s arid wastelands and vast deserts support large-scale projects like the Charanka Solar Park (700 MW) and the upcoming Dholera Solar Park (5 GW). The world’s largest renewable energy park, with a 30,000 MW capacity, is also under development, projected to cut 5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
However, challenges persist. Farmers like Baldha Bharatkumar, who faced a ₹1,55,000 transformer charge from Madhyagujrat Vij Company in 2024, highlight implementation hurdles. High upfront costs, despite subsidies, can deter middle-class farmers. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) mandates that solar panels meet Domestic Content Requirements, ensuring “Made in India” modules, which supports local manufacturing but may limit options.
The state’s proactive policies have already driven significant growth. Between 2019 and 2022, Gujarat’s rooftop solar capacity surged from 0.085 GW to 1.2 GW under the Surya Gujarat scheme. With an investment target of ₹5 lakh crore and 400,000 acres allocated for renewable projects, Gujarat is positioning itself as a global leader in clean energy. Farmers, in particular, stand to gain, with solar power reducing reliance on diesel and grid electricity, stabilizing costs, and fostering energy independence.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information from government portals, industry reports, and recent developments in Gujarat’s renewable energy sector. Data is sourced from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and web reports as of June 2025. Readers are advised to verify subsidy details with official sources before applying.
Tags:
Gujarat Solar Subsidy, Suryashakti Kisan Yojana, PM Surya Ghar, Renewable Energy, Solar Panels, Farmers, Clean Energy, Gujarat Solar Policy, PM-KUSUM, Rooftop Solar
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“Solar Power Boost for Gujarat Farmers!”
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