Maharashtra To Use DMF Funds To Deploy Solar Fencing

The Bihar government has now planned to solarise its panchayats spread across 38 districts. The Panchayati Raj department of the state has planned to rope in hybrid inverters in several weak grid areas to maximise the usage of solar energy and counter blackouts. 

The Maharashtra government has planned to use District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds to deploy solar fencing in 160 villages in the Yavatmal district. The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) has issued a tender inviting bids from EPC companies for this project.

Solar fencing helps farmers protect their crops by preventing animals from entering agricultural fields, thereby reducing crop losses. MEDA aims to implement this technology in 16 taluks, covering 160 villages. According to the plan, the successful bidder will install these structures for individual beneficiary farmers to prevent the entry of animals.

The state nodal agency will utilize DMF funds under the PM Mineral Sector Welfare Scheme to carry out these projects. DMF funds are primarily used in mining-affected areas across India to improve the livelihoods of local communities impacted by mining activities.

MEDA specified that the successful bidders must distribute the systems within 90 days of receiving the work order. The bidders will also be responsible for all project costs, including engineering, procurement, testing, distribution, and other associated works.

“They should provide valid registration certificate (approval) issued by MNRE and IEC certificate of SPV Module (along with their name in latest ALMM list), BIS certified Energizer, BIS Certified Battery with necessary accessories and test report from authorized test center of MNRE, GoI (Viz CPRI Bangalore),” the tender stated.

“Presentation on safety parameters (w.r.t. Human Life) of Solar Fencing System /Energizer must be given during pre-bid meeting (individual time slot allotted shall not be more than 30 mins). Bidders must bring his certified Solar Fencing Systems along with Energizer with testing kit (Viz CRO) for live demonstration at Divisional Office, MEDA, Amravati,” the MEDA tender added.

MEDA also mentioned that bidders must have supplied and distributed at least 1,000 solar fencing systems/sets to any nodal agency, government organization, private organization, or individual farmers over the last three years.