EXAMINING THE ADVANTAGES: SOLAR ENERGY ADOPTION FOR IRRIGATION AS COMPARED TO DIESEL AND ELECTRICITY USAGE IN JHANG DISTRICT, PUNJAB
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2026.2.4.68Keywords:
Irrigation systems, Cost and benefit, Solar system, CO2 EmissionAbstract
It is no longer practical to run all agricultural equipment on electricity supplied by the government, and the reason is the high production cost of electricity and its increasing demand. A detailed comparative analysis conducted in District Jhang, Punjab, examined solar-powered irrigation systems against traditional diesel and electricity-based alternatives for cultivating staple crops like rice and wheat. The study utilized field surveys and data analysis to evaluate performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, including CO₂ emissions. The conclusions strongly favored the solar power system surpassed traditional systems in terms of Net Present Value due to its use of a free energy source and significantly reduced CO₂ emissions. The solar system is the most economically advantageous due to its highest net present value for both CR1 and CR2, making it the most productive and financially feasible technology for the study area. Several other factors were considered, including farmer satisfaction levels, energy prices, and crop productivity. The study adds valuable insights for policymakers and improves renewable energy irrigation systems.
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Data Availability Statement
Primary data collected from users of solar system, diesel pumps and electric motors for irrigation.
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