The surveys in Buldhana and Akola were conducted in Dec 2016. We interviewed MSEDCL officials in Akola, Buldhana and Yavatmal to understand the response of the scheme in different sub-divisions. In many places, the offices released newspaper articles on the scheme along with flex boards put up at different locations. We learnt that about 1481 applications had been received for the scheme in Akola alone out of which 935 qualified the criteria. Out of these only 206 farmers had paid the upfront cost required to process the order. Discussions with MSEDCL officials and vendors suggested that many farmers were not convinced with the technology. In addition, forms were filled from many farmers who had no interest in buying the system as officials had been given targets to complete for their region. We conducted informal discussions with a group of 8 farmers who had qualified as beneficiaries however did not pay once the order was placed. It was learnt that farmers were unsure of the post-maintenance period and did not agree with having no agricultural connection if they availed a solar pump. In addition, they were afraid of the security of the system from animal infestation and fellow villagers. Some of the wealthier farmers had put fencing around their systems to protect from animals while 2 of the wealthiest farmers met had put an electric fence around it. In our surveys, we found that beneficiaries were happy due to daytime supply of water. In Maharashtra, as in many other states, farmers receive 8 hours of electricity per day, and for 3 to 4 days in a week the 8 hours are in the night. From the surveys in Buldhana and Akola, we found that farmers in the region do fit the profile drawn up by our framework in Chapter 3. The crops grown and landholding sizes are definitely as per the district level cropping pattern and Agricultural census data. The water depths are somewhat in keeping with the Minor Irrigation census data. We do see a larger number of tube wells than predicted by the agricultural census data. One of the reasons could be that 6 of the tube wells belonged to a cluster of farmers in Chinchkhed village in Buldhana. It is also possible that the Ag census data is from 2010-11 and farmers do keep making new tube wells. The sizes of the distributed SPV pumps are larger than the requirement as calculated in Chapter 4 for farmers with less than 2 ha except for those using tube wells deeper than 50 m. Out of the 19 farmers surveyed, in Buldhana and Akola, 8 said they had plots greater than 4 ha but showed smaller plots in a family member’s name, 5 additional farmers are suspected of having larger plots but did not say so. Most of these farmers were using the pump all day. 4 out of 5 farmers with landholding less than 4 ha were underutilizing their pumps. Some farmers, who had tube wells, could use the pump for no longer than 10 to 20 minutes at a time, because the bore needed to be recharged, and then wait for 0.5 – 1 hour. A recharge test could be an additional requirement when setting up the pump on a tube well. A smaller pump would suffice in such cases. CTARA, IITB 32 Eight of the famers were less than 200 m from the grid – a solar PV pump could cost the government more than providing a grid connection pump in such cases. In Maharashtra, the plight of small and marginal farmers is worrisome with rising cases of suicides reported amongst them. Rising cost of production, uncertainty in weather leading to loss of produce and mounting debts puts them in a financial turmoil. Currently, the minimum upfront cost is Rs. 17,000 (for a 3 HP pump), which is too high for many marginal farmers. Credit schemes may help defray upfront costs. In our surveys, we found that beneficiaries were happy due to daytime supply of water. In Maharashtra, as in many other states, farmers receive 8 hours of electricity and 3-4 days in a week it is during the night. However, in our surveys, focus group discussion and interviews with farmers and state distribution employees, we found that the response to the scheme was poor because many farmers were uncomfortable about the post-maintenance period, especially since one of the requirements was that beneficiaries give up to a grid electricity agricultural connection for the next 10 years. The cost was also a deterrent to some farmers. One of the concerns of using SPV is with regard to groundwater extraction. In grid connected and diesel pumps, load-shedding and diesel prices could be used to prevent farmers from overusing water. But in case of SPV pumps, once installed, there is no cost to using a pump. It seems pertinent that regulatory structures with energy and water management are implemented. Grid connected solar pumps with net-metering could be a solution, especially in western and southern India, where there is good grid penetration. Net-metering calculations in section 3.5 show almost all of the energy being unused from March to July. While the districts analyzed here are water constrained, in other regions, an appropriate net-metering tariff in high-usage periods and lower otherwise, could encourage farmers to be water efficient. Many areas in the northern region of Buldhana and Akola suffer from salinity due to which farmers have not opted for wells. In such scenarios, a farm pond could be combined with this scheme to give farmers access to irrigation. In this work we have developed a framework that could be useful for governments planning such schemes in any state in India.