Cutting Edge Advantage of Solar over the Conventional Electric Powered Groundwater Irrigation in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Solar energy is the major renewable energy source in the world. In the is energy use scenario, solar energy has occupied second position and it’s share in renewable energy has 27.5 per cent. In India, solar energy is in first position in renewable energy capacity and it’s share in renewable energy has 33.5 per cent. Solar is photovoltaic is conversion of solar energy into electricity which can be used for solar water pumping. With the above background, the present study is attempted to focus on the impact of solar and electric operated tubewell irrigation in the sample farms. A quota sampling selection procedure and snow ball sampling technique were used for this study. A sample size of 45 each of solar and electric operated sample farmers altogether 90 sample respondents were contacted for the conduct of this research study. Garrett’s ranking technique was used for assessing the merits and demerits of solar and electric operated tubewell irrigation as opined by the sample respondents. It was observed that free electricity for motor pumping was the prime most important attribute which influenced the farmers preference for electric energy followed by efficiency in lifting water from higher depths with good discharge rates. The foremost bothering issue in electric energy use was the limited hours of 3 phase electric power availability and frequent voltage fluctuations. The availability of huge subsidy component in the initial investment and reduction in the energy bill were the foremost important reasons for the adoption of solar power motor pumps in irrigation. The foremost bothering issue in solar energy use for irrigation was unavailability of battery for power store which was expressed as the major drawback in solar energy irrigation pumping. To promote the large scale adoption of this important renewable energy all the merits of this energy source expressed by the farmers should be widely propagated among the farming community. The demerits in the use of existing devices of this energy source such as battery for storage, efficiency improvements with higher horse power’s should be addressed by gearing up the Research and Development wing to focus on these issues expressed by the farmer stakeholders.