The delhi power department will soon float tenders to invite companies to set up the solar plants under the ‘Mukhyamantri Kisan Aay Badhotari Solar Yojana’ under the public-private participation model.
The power department has got the consent of farmers to install the solar panels on almost 150 acres of agricultural land in outer Delhi.
Under the scheme, the private companies under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model will be allowed to install solar panels on not more than one-third of the total land owned by a farmer.
The farmers will be paid Rs 1 lakh per acre as rent with 6% annual increase for 25 years. By the 25th year, the farmer will be getting Rs 4.04 lakh per acre from the companies.
Though no commercial activity will be allowed on the agricultural land, the official said the installation was exempted under Section 81 of the Land Act.
While the installation of solar panels will help the farmers increase their income by 3-4 times, the tips on hi-tech farming will help them augment it further.
The scheme was approved by the government in July last year, but picked up speed only after Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) notified the net metering guidelines.
The energy generated through the renewable source will be exported to the grid and then supplied to various areas.
Reference- Times Of India, Delhi Government website & PR