The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA), in its report titled ‘the Farms, Building the Factory (PM-KUSUM: Solarising Agriculture and Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing)’, has said that India's agricultural sector could generate demand for an additional 116 GW of solar modules. This presents a significant growth opportunity for domestic manufacturers as the government steps up efforts to solarise irrigation pumps and reduce reliance on conventional electricity and diesel.
According to the report, grid-connected agricultural pumps have the potential to drive 100 GW of additional solar module demand, while diesel-powered pumps could generate another 16 GW, excluding those located in groundwater-stressed areas. With nearly 2.3 crore irrigation pumps across the country, agricultural solarisation could emerge as a significant source of long-term demand for India's solar manufacturing industry, linking the country's clean energy transition with its push to expand domestic manufacturing capacity.
As per the report, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) as an important driver of this opportunity, highlighting the potential of the programme to create a sustained market for domestically manufactured solar modules and cells. The report stated that PM-KUSUM added 7.6 GW of solar capacity in FY26, marking a record, with more than 28 lakh irrigation pumps solarised by July 2026.