Ministry invites EoIs to install solar pumps under KUSUM

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) for installing 50 innovative solar pumps under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM) programme. The purpose of the call for EoIs is to promote innovation in solar pumps by allowing the innovators to showcase their technologies in real field conditions. The successful bidder will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the installed pumps for five years. The ministry will shortlist the promising technologies with claims for improved parameters and allow the selected innovators to install solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM programme. The last date to submit the bids is August 18, 2022. At present, under the programme, solar pumps fulfilling the MNRE specifications can be installed. However, to promote technological innovation, the ministry has decided to permit the installation of innovative standalone solar pumps in test mode. The MNRE program supports the installation of 2 million standalone solar pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP by 2025-26. Only those innovative products which are available for testing and field trials will be eligible for participation. See also: Delhi govt to set up sustainable mobility centre with IIIT DelhiIndigenous management system developed by IIT-M for ONGC