Chandigarh To Solarise All Farm Tube Wells Through Phased Clean Energy Rollout
Chandigarh is set to transition its agricultural irrigation systems towards solar power in a phased manner, under a renewed clean energy mandate. Authorities are aiming to solarise tube wells across every district by identifying suitable land for decentralised solar plants, with added focus on utilising unused government spaces and community land to scale up renewable energy capacity.
The energy transition plan calls for identification of five-acre plots across districts to install solar plants connected to farm tube wells. In Panchkula, a proposed 300-acre solar facility near the 220-kV substation in Raiwali village is expected to power irrigation infrastructure across the district. Similar land utilisation efforts are being planned across other areas, including rooftops of colleges, markets, bus depots, and administrative offices. In an innovative approach to multipurpose infrastructure, it was also suggested that the solar panel mounts in panchayat-owned lands double as open-air halls or “Kalyanam Mandapams”, enabling dual use of public assets for energy and social functions. Authorities also announced plans to solarise agricultural mandis and warehouse sheds under the State Agricultural Marketing Board and Warehousing Corporation.
According to senior officials, over 1.58 lakh solar pumps have already been installed in Haryana under the PM-KUSUM scheme since 2018. For the upcoming financial year, the state has set an ambitious target of deploying 70,000 additional solar pumps, backed by a ₹600 crore allocation. Experts assert that the phased solarisation of agricultural energy demands will significantly reduce dependency on the conventional power grid, improve irrigation reliability, and lower carbon emissions in Haryana’s farming sector. By systematically identifying land for solar installations and promoting decentralised energy generation, the initiative paves the way for inclusive rural electrification.
It also empowers local communities by ensuring cleaner, uninterrupted power for irrigation. Beyond environmental benefits, this approach is expected to bridge energy equity gaps, strengthen agricultural productivity, and support Haryana’s broader transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon rural economy.
