Fourth National Workshop on PM-KUSUM and Rooftop Solar Schemes

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) organised the Fourth National Workshop on the Prime Minister’s Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) and Rooftop Solar Schemes on 22 April 2022 in New Delhi. The workshop was chaired by Mr Lalit Bohra, Joint Secretary, MNRE, and attended by over 100 officials from State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) and State Distribution Companies (DISCOMs). The purpose of the workshop was to review the implementation of PM-KUSUM and Rooftop Solar schemes and to come up with measures for the expansion of the schemes. 

The morning session of the workshop focused on PM-KUSUM where MNRE deliberated upon the objectives of components A, B and C under the PM-KUSUM scheme, informed about CPSUs that are created for the purpose of public awareness and mentioned the importance of new technologies for farmers, such as monitoring solar pumps using RMS and sizing water pumps using excel-based tools.

During the workshop, the initiatives taken by MNRE in collaboration with GIZ under PM-KUSUM were presented by the different organisations. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) presented their work on a Solar Irrigation Pump Sizing Tool and a guidebook for state-level policymakers, respectively. Harikrupa Automation Private Limited (HKAPL) presented their observations on RMS data received from the states and the challenges in analysing the data. HKAPL also explained the features of the PM KUSUM Mobile application. GIZ presented the results of the survey project conducted on asset condition & utilisation of solar water pumps in India. HKRP Innovations gave a presentation on IoT-based virtual feeder segregation. In addition, the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Tripura also presented their work progress, outcomes, and challenges under PM-KUSUM. 

After all presentations, MNRE provided a review of the awareness campaign of PM-KUSUM by CPSUs and shared the learnings from the survey project on system inspection of solar pumps installed in pre-KUSUM schemes with the participants.

The session on PM-KUSIM ended with the concluding remarks of Shri Lalit Bohra. He mentioned that the PM-KUSUM scheme is useful for addressing the global issue of climate change as it is a way to reduce the use of fossil fuels. He expressed that the States should adopt innovative technologies, conduct state specific campaigns for sensitising farmers, and share their success stories with the Ministry.