The government's green energy policy is helping to increase use of solar irrigation systems, saving cost of fuel oil and giving other benefits to farmers.
Dipal Chandra Barua, president of Bangladesh Renewable Solar Energy Association (BSREA), said in the off-grid zones, where farmers used fuel oil, are becoming encouraged to use solar pumps. Apart from irrigation these pumps provide electricity for domestic use and can pump water round the year for at least three harvests.
Against the target for installing 1,500 solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) by 2016, currently 200 unit pumps are lifting 280 million liter water for cultivating 20,000 bighas of lands.
He also said the target is far below expectation. But due to its popularity the number will gradually increase, and reach at least 1,000 pumps within next year.
Mr Barua said the government's Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) is supporting renewable energy entrepreneurs by providing loans at flat rates and grants to the participatory organizations, SIP installation rate is currently increasing cent per cent. Last year there were less than 100 SIPs, but it has doubled this year.
A participatory organization source said in the coastal off-grid zone his company is installing both solar home systems and solar irrigation pumps.
Installing a solar pump costs at least Tk 4.0 to Tk 5.0 million, and the farmers are directly being benefited from SIPs.
He said when the farmers used fuel oil-based pumps, they could cultivate only one harvest, as it was expensive to lift water by using fuel oil.
Currently without fuel oil fresh water is available round the year, which is also used as drinking water in many areas where water salinity is high.
Besides, when pumps are not used to lift water, solar power-produced electricity is transmitted to houses for domestic use.
A Power Division official dealing with renewable energy said they are encouraging IDCOL and private sector to promote green energy.
He said under their renewable energy project use of solar pumps is being encouraged in the off-grid and even in many grid zones round the year.
At present the installer companies cannot make expected profit due to some policies taken by the government. But they will be capable of make benefits later.
Currently the farmers are being benefited, as with a certain amount of money they are getting required water and electricity round the year.
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