Harnessing Solar energy, Options for India

Table 18: Estimation of Potential for Diesel Use Abatement Using Solar PV Irrigation Pumps
Assumptions
No. of diesel pumps 9,000,000
Operating hours per annum 1,600
Diesel pumps replaced by solar PV (%) 50
Average rating of pump (kW) 3.73
Efficiency of average diesel pump 0.40
Total units consumed (million kWh) 671,400
Fuel consumption (l/ kWh) 0.33
Fuel saved(million l) 223,800
Density of diesel (kg/l) 0.83
Fuel saved (billion kg) 185.75
Carbon dioxide saved (kg/kWh) 0.70
Total CO 2 saved (billion kg) 469.98
2.2. Conclusion
The government must undertake or sponsor techno-economic studies that provide a comprehensive
understanding of the losses incurred in using the flat-rate scheme and in providing grid electricity to
farmers for irrigation. Such a study must take into account the losses incurred in the use of
inefficient pumps, T&D losses in grid extension, theft of power, etc. A comparison of this expenditure
with the economic and technical dynamics of use of solar PV will provide insights into better
resource allocation for the government.
As our analysis demonstrates, the life cycle cost of diesel-driven irrigation systems is much greater
than that of solar PV irrigation systems. A large contributor to the successful dissemination of solar
technology is the awareness among farmers of this very fact. Awareness and dissemination
programmes must be undertaken to urge farmers to use this technology. Furthermore, though there
is a tab on the number of irrigation pumps in use, there is no data to indicate their ratings. Studies
must be carried out to determine these as well to enable more informed policy choices.
3. Rooftop PV Systems for diesel use abatement
Sustaining India’s burgeoning urbanisation is a formidable challenge faced today. The urban rooftop
area was estimated to be 1 million m 2 in 2006 a (including all major cities) and growing every day.
Most buildings in urban cities are highly electricity intensive; they consume large amounts of power
for lighting and air-conditioning applications.
a TramellCrowMeghraj quarterly reports for mid-2006.
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