Resource detail

The revised solar energy policy, which is coming up before the State Cabinet for clearance on Thursday, will have provisions for encouraging farmers to set up small solar power plants with a capacity of 1 to 3 MW in their farms, according to Minister for Energy D.K. Shivakumar. Addressing a curtain raiser for the proposed Green Summit 2014, to be organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) in Bangalore in June, the Minister said on Wednesday that the policy would provide incentives to farmers who are willing to set up solar plants on their farms. Another feature would be liberalization of norms related to purchasing farm land for non-agricultural purposes, to help investors buy land from farmers to set up solar power plants, he said. Among other things, the policy will lay emphasis on setting up grid-connected rooftop solar power plants. Such rooftop plants could be used either for one’s own power consumption or for selling to the State grid, he said.