Rajasthan Accelerates Rural Solar Push with 1,190 MW Decentralized Installations in One Year – EQ
In Short : Rajasthan has added 1,190 MW of decentralized solar capacity in the past year under the PM-KUSUM scheme, empowering farmers as clean energy producers. With 684 plants now commissioned, these low-cost, grid-connected systems are easing discom losses and ensuring affordable power. Jodhpur led the growth, and the state aims to provide daytime solar electricity to all farmers by 2027.
In Detail : Rajasthan has made significant progress in expanding decentralized solar power, with 1,190 MW of capacity installed over the past year. This addition comes under the central government’s PM-KUSUM scheme, which promotes solar power generation by farmers and rural communities.
A total of 684 decentralized solar plants have been commissioned in the state so far, amounting to 1,305 MW in capacity. Of these, 592 plants were installed within the last 12 months, accounting for nearly 91% of the total capacity.
These plants are grid-connected and located within a 5 km radius of substations. The power generated is supplied to the state’s distribution companies (discoms) at competitive rates ranging from ₹2.09 to ₹3 per unit, significantly lower than the cost of thermal energy.
The decentralized model supports farmers by allowing them to lease out barren land or partner with developers to install solar projects. This not only provides them with a steady income but also helps in reducing the burden on the power grid through localized generation.
To streamline project execution, the state government has taken proactive steps including appointing nodal officers, releasing standard operating procedures, and simplifying land acquisition and financing processes. The implementation has been shifted from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation to the power discoms to enhance efficiency.
Among the state’s regions, Jodhpur has seen the largest share of decentralized solar with 997 MW, followed by Jaipur with 169 MW and Ajmer with 137 MW. Rajasthan ranks first nationally under Component A of PM-KUSUM and third under Component C.
Currently, about one lakh farmers in the state are benefiting from the decentralized solar initiative. The government aims to ensure that all farmers receive daytime electricity through solar power by the year 2027.
Besides promoting clean energy, the initiative is also expected to significantly reduce the financial losses of the state discoms, which amount to more than ₹90,000 crore, mainly due to the high cost of thermal power procurement.
