Maharashtra has set a Guinness World Record by installing 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps in just 30 days, making it India’s fastest state to achieve this scale of deployment. The installation places Maharashtra second only to China in terms of the rate and number of solar pump installations by a single administrative region. MSEDCL stated that the achievement promotes clean energy use in agriculture while enhancing daytime irrigation access through PM-KUSUM and the state’s Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana.
The utility attributed the speedy pace to focused work in the drought-hit district, strict vendor accountability deadlines, several installation teams working simultaneously, and a policy that relates pump size to landholding. Off-grid solar systems are already being used to provide new agricultural connections, ensuring consistent irrigation power.
Maharashtra has already installed 747,000 pumps and aims to reach 1.045 million. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the milestone strengthens the state’s leadership in solar irrigation and will assist farmers in reducing their reliance on traditional energy sources. Implementing partners like GK Energy and Shakti Pumps made significant contributions, with Shakti Pumps installing the highest number.
