MNRE Invites EOI for Installation of Innovative Solar Pumps Again

MNRE has invited firms to submit EOI for the installation of innovative solar pumps across India under Scheme (KUSUM) operated by the ministry

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had in June 2020, issued the guidelines for promoting innovative solar pumps, applicable for all Indian innovators/manufacturers/service providers, who wish to include innovative stand-alone solar pumps technologies/models under Schemes (PM-KUSUM) operated by the MNRE. And now, the ministry has invited them to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to participate in the above-mentioned scheme for the promotion of innovative solar pump technologies. The call for EOIs follows on from a similar notification from the ministry in September 2020.

As per the ministry, the purpose of this call for EOIs is to promote innovation in the solar pumping sector by allowing the innovators to showcase their technologies in real field conditions. 

The ministry has clarified that it will shortlist the promising technologies with variable claims for improved parameters and allow the selected innovators to install solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM Scheme.

The last date for submission of EOIs is April 22, 2021.

In July 2019, the MNRE had updated specifications for stand-alone solar pumps. It had then received representations from innovators claiming that by using different design/hardware/software for the solar pump they can achieve performance better than specified by MNRE in a cost-effective manner. At the time, to promote innovation in technology, the Ministry had decided to permit the installation of innovative standalone solar pumps in test mode and later formalised it in the June 2020 order. After which, innovative solar pumps have now been cleared for installation (with approval) under the ministry’s biggest solar pump scheme i.e. PM-KUSUM.

To be eligible for participating in the call for EOIs, the developers/ innovator who wish to install such stand-alone solar pumps should satisfy the following criteria:

• Only those innovative products which are available for testing and field trial will be eligible for participation. Test reports for the improved solar pumping system shall be available with the innovator.
• New technologies for which patent/IP related filings have been done (patent may not have been awarded) will also be eligible to participate. In this case, organization that has filed the patent should be the sole applicant or lead partner in case of a consortium/JV.

Applications by eligible participants will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee constituted by MNRE. Test report for the proposed solar pump must be submitted by the innovator along with EoI, however, if deemed necessary, the Committee may recommend re-testing of performance of the pump at NISE or any other NABL accredited lab before allowing installation of such pumps in the field. Further, the elements of innovation in the context of improved performance of solar pump needs to be mentioned very clearly by the applicants in their response to EoI. A cost-benefit analysis shall also be enclosed with the proposal.

Innovators declared successful by the evaluation committee will be invited by the Ministry to install up to 50 number of improved standalone solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM Scheme. And those Innovators who accept the invitation of the Ministry will be empanelled and allocated sites for the installation of solar pumps.

Furthermore, the selected firms/ developers will be required to provide comprehensive maintenance services for the installed pump(s) for a period of 5 years.

For more information click here.