Diesel is expensive, electricity bills keep rising, and loadshedding often strikes right when crops need water. For Punjab’s farmers, the answer the government is pushing is the sun. The CM Punjab Solar Tube Well Scheme converts diesel and electric tubewells to solar power, cutting irrigation costs to a fraction of what farmers pay today.
According to official programme details, running a tubewell on diesel costs around Rs3,000 per acre, and around Rs1,500 per acre on electricity, while solar irrigation can cost as little as Rs50 per acre. This guide explains the subsidy, the system sizes, who can apply and what to check before applying.
Subsidy and System Sizes
Programme budget: Rs9,887.42 million has been allocated over 2024-25 and 2025-26 for the solarisation programme.
Phase 1 target: 7,000 tubewells will be converted to solar energy in the first phase.
Phase 2 target: Another 10,000 tubewells are planned in the second phase, in collaboration with the federal government.
System sizes: Solar systems of 10 kW, 15 kW and 20 kW are offered.
Subsidy slabs: Rs5 lakh for a 10 kW system, Rs7.5 lakh for 15 kW, and Rs10 lakh for a 20 kW system.
Farmer’s share: Farmers pay 25% of the cost upfront, while the remaining amount is covered through the subsidy and interest-free instalments arranged through the Bank of Punjab.
Headline subsidy level: Current programme summaries describe government support of up to 80% of the system cost. Note that the original announcement described a 67% government share, so applicants should confirm the exact slab for their system on the Agriculture Department portal before applying.
Punjab resident: The applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC.
Land: The applicant must own at least 1 acre of agricultural land, with land records registered in the system.
Documents: CNIC, Fard-e-Malakiat and Family Registration Certificate (FRC) are required.
Existing tubewell: The applicant must own an electric tubewell of up to 15 kW with a three-phase connection.
Water table: The groundwater depth at the farm must be within 60 feet.
Clean record: Applicants must not be defaulters of any bank or government loan scheme.
Fair selection: Where applications exceed the quota, selection is made through district-level balloting.
How to Apply and Current Window
Applications are handled through the Punjab Agriculture Department, and the official portal is agriculture.punjab.gov.pk. Application windows are announced district-wise, and the exact status of the current window can change between phases, so farmers should check the portal for the latest open window before preparing documents or paying any fee.
Step 1: Confirm the current application window on the Agriculture Department portal.
Step 2: Keep your CNIC, Fard-e-Malakiat and FRC ready, and confirm your tubewell’s connection details.
Step 3: Submit the application for your district quota and wait for the balloting result.
Step 4: Selected farmers pay their 25% upfront share; the balance is arranged through interest-free instalments.
Warning: Never pay an agent for selection. Balloting is district-wise and free.
Why Farmers Are Switching
Beyond the subsidy, the real benefit is predictable cost. Solar tubewells run on daylight with no monthly fuel or electricity bill for irrigation, only minor maintenance costs. A quality solar system can last 20 to 25 years, which means the investment keeps paying back long after the instalments end. For farmers hit by diesel prices and unreliable grid supply during irrigation season, that reliability is often worth more than the subsidy itself.
The CM Punjab Solar Tube Well Scheme offers Punjab’s farmers a practical escape from diesel and electricity costs: subsidised solar systems of 10, 15 or 20 kW, a 25% upfront share, interest-free instalments and district-wise balloting for fair selection. With 7,000 tubewells in phase 1 and 10,000 more planned, the programme is large enough to matter. Before applying, confirm the current window and your exact subsidy slab on the Agriculture Department portal, and keep your land documents ready.
FAQs
How much subsidy do I get for a solar tubewell?
Rs5 lakh for a 10 kW system, Rs7.5 lakh for 15 kW, and Rs10 lakh for a 20 kW system, with the farmer paying 25% upfront.
Can diesel tubewells be converted to solar?
Yes. Programme summaries confirm that both diesel and electric tubewells are eligible for conversion, subject to the other criteria.
Is there a monthly bill after installing a solar tubewell?
No monthly fuel or electricity bill for irrigation. Only minor maintenance costs apply, and systems typically last 20 to 25 years.
Shahzad Sahil is the editor of plcpunjab.pk, covering Punjab government schemes including the Livestock Card, eligibility, registration and latest updates, with information verified from official sources for readers across Punjab.
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