MNRE invites EoI for installation of innovative solar pumps

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited Indian innovators, manufacturers and service providers to submit an expression of interest to participate in the government’s scheme to promote innovative solar pump technologies.   

The applicants must submit a detailed technical proposal on improved technology and expected outcomes, clearly mentioning innovation elements. This shall also include details of any field trials conducted and systems installed in India and/or elsewhere. The innovator shall also submit cost-benefit analysis and evidence for the stage of development. 

The innovators will be required to showcase their technologies in real field conditions. MNRE will shortlist the promising technologies with variable claims for improved parameters and allow the selected innovators to install solar pumps under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) rural solar scheme. 

Eligibility

Products available for testing and field trials will be eligible for participation. A test report for the improved solar pumping system must be available with the innovator.

New technologies for which patent/intellectual property related filings have been done (patent may not have been awarded) will also be eligible to participate, provided the patent-filing organization is the sole applicant or lead partner in case of a consortium or joint venture. 

Selection

Applications will be evaluated by an MNRE committee comprising technical and financial experts in the sector. The innovator is required to submit the test report for the proposed solar pump along with the EoI. However, if deemed necessary, the committee may recommend re-testing the pump’s performance at the National Institute of Solar Energy or any other National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited lab before allowing installation of such pumps in the field.

The successful innovators will be invited by the Ministry to install up to 50 numbers of improved standalone solar pumps as per the PM-KUSUM Scheme and innovative solar pump guidelines. Those who accept the Ministry’s invitation will be empanelled and allocated sites for the installation of solar pumps.