The policy, which is approved by the Punjab Energy Development Authority, would safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure they get more lease value for their land as compared to market rates with yearly increment of 6 per cent, Punjab New and Renewable Energy minister Bikram Singh Majithia said after inaugurating a 4 MW solar power plant here.
"The project envisages creating farmer entrepreneurs as well as supplementing income sources of the farming community," he said.
He said that as per another scheme PEDA would also allow farmers to set up solar plants of a minimum capacity of 1 mw and maximum of 2.5 mw.
He said farmers had already evinced keen interest in this scheme and applications had been received to set up projects in 2,000 acres of land.
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Disclosing the state's plans to develop renewable energy resources, Majithia said he had set a target of increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the total energy generated in the state to 15 per cent.
The 4 mw solar power plant inaugurated today was spread over 19.4 acres of land. Constructed with an investment of Rs 35 crore by an Israel based company, it would produce 14000 to 18000 units of power daily, an official spokesman said.
This is the fourth such solar power plant in Bathinda district.
He said against latest tender of 250 mw Solar power Phase-II, bids for 389 MW were received and 24 Projects of 229 MW worth Rs 1600 crore were allocated.
He said that PEDA would soon also come out with a Farmers Solar Power Generation scheme of 500 mw.