Gujarat government launches SKY scheme for farmers to generate solar power

The Gujarat government has launched the Suryashakti Kisan Yojana  for farmers. Under the scheme, farmers can generate electricity and sell the surplus to power distribution companies. As per the scheme, farmers with an existing electricity connection will be given solar panels, depending on their load requirements. The state and central governments will provide a 60 per cent subsidy on the cost of the project. Farmers will be required to bear 5 per cent of the cost, while 35 per cent will be provided to them as an affordable loan with interest rates of 4.5-6 per cent. The duration of the scheme is 25 years, divided into two periods of seven and 18 years. For the first seven years, farmers will receive Rs 7 per unit of energy sold to discoms, while for the subsequent 18 years they will get a rate of Rs 3.50 for each unit. The project aims to benefit about 2.6 million farmers with power connections.