Specifics of solar pump subsidies in Indian states

In the state of Maharashtra, farmers receive significant financial assistance for adopting solar pump systems. According to the state policy, farmers from the open category pay only 10% of the installation costs, while those from reserved categories pay 5%. The local government provides a subsidy of 60% of the equipment cost. For comparison, in other Indian states, the farmers' share of expenses is significantly higher: in Uttar Pradesh it is about 30%, in Haryana it is 20–25%, and in Madhya Pradesh it is 40%.

Switching to solar pumps helps reduce the load on transformers and lowers maintenance costs for rural infrastructure. The use of such equipment provides farmers with a high-quality energy supply that is independent of power grids, which is critical for irrigation of lands where centralized electricity is unavailable. As a result, the ability to obtain water year-round has allowed many farms to increase the number of grown crops from one to two or three per year, which directly contributes to the growth of agricultural producers' incomes.

At present, more than 1.5 million solar pumps have been installed in Maharashtra. A large-scale project to implement 45,911 such systems within 30 days allowed the state to enter the Guinness Book of Records on December 5, 2025. The work is being carried out under the government programs PM-KUSUM and Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana.

The implementation of the PM-KUSUM initiative has ensured water supply to at least 1.2 million hectares, strengthening the region's food security. GK Energy, which has installed 170,000 pumps of the total number, plans to reach 1 million farmers with its solutions by 2030. The company's strategy is based on utilizing unused production capacities of third-party plants, which allows for reducing capital investments and offering equipment at a competitive price.