Infineon to Foster Local Entrepreneurship in Green Agriculture

In collaboration with Startup India on Motor Drive Design Challenge for solar pumps

Infineon Technologies, a world leader in semiconductors, today announced the commencement of its ‘Infineon Solar Pump Motor Drive Challenge 2021′ initiative to encourage affordable and reliable solar powered irrigation systems for farmers – design and manufactured locally. Organized in collaboration with Startup India, AGNIi – housed under Invest India; and in partnership with Avnet India, the program invites the industry, SMEs and Startups to participate and compete for the best design in motor drive solution for solar pumps.

India is an agrarian country with almost 16 percent contributed to its GDP via agriculture, and more than 41 percent of the country’s workforce employed in this sector. A great boon for the environment, enablement of solar pumps across the country will lessen the burden on grid infrastructure, decrease reliance on imported crude and improve farmers’ livelihood.

India’s agriculture is primarily dependent on diesel powered pumps which contribute to rising emmisions and greenhouse gases. Current pump manufacturing  produces traditional irrigation pumps but microelectronics is still new to this industry. Solar pump manufacturers rely on overseas suppliers for drives, hampering build-up of local competence and ecosystem. To reverse the effects, it is integral to build energy efficient and cost effective motor drive solutions for pumps locally.

“Developing viable solutions for solar pump motor drives will enable local manufacturers in India to reduce overall dependency on imports. With a complete ecosystem in place, India has the potential to become a global lead in the solar pump industry,” said Vivek Mahajan, Vice President & Division Head for Industrial Power Control, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific. He further added, “Besides supporting the Government of India’s countrywide ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Make In India’ & ‘PM-KUSUM’ initiatives, we are making life easier and greener with microelectronics from Infineon.”

Registrations are open until 14 March 2021, post which selected registrants will have another month to submit a design concept. In the final round, 10 shortlisted participants develop a working solution, with support from Infineon and partners, and will present to the jury comprising of senior management from Infineon. Apart from attractive awards, the winner will get an opportunity to access the fast growing pump drive market through working with leading industry players to further develop their product for manufacturing.