No.: 32/5/2020-SPV Division
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Government of India
Block No.14, CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-11003
Date: 30.3.2020
Notice for stakeholder consultation
Subject: Draft Guidelines for installation of innovative stand-alone solar pumps.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued updated specifications for stand-alone solar pumps on 17.7.2019. Ministry has received representations from innovators claiming that by using different design/software for the stand-alone solar pump they can achieve performance better than specified by Ministry in a cost effective manner. At present under MNRE Scheme stand-alone solar pumps fulfilling MNRE specifications can be installed, however, in order to promote innovation in technology Ministry has decided to permit installation of innovative stand-alone solar pumps in test mode.
- The draft Guidelines for installation of innovative stand-alone solar pumps under MNRE Schemes have been prepared and attached at Annexure with the request for suggestions/comments/views of the stakeholders by 15.4.2020 through email at shobhit.srivastava@nic.in.
(J K Jethani)
Scientist-E
Annexure
Draft Guidelines for installation of innovative stand-alone solar pumps.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued updated specifications for stand-alone solar pumps on 17.7.2019. Ministry has received representations from innovators claiming that by using different design/software for the solar pump they can achieve performance better than specified by Ministry in a cost effective manner. At present under MNRE Scheme solar pumps fulfilling MNRE specifications can be installed, however, in order to promote innovation in technology Ministry has decided to permit installation of innovative stand-alone solar pumps in test mode.
The guideline document is applicable for all Indian innovators/manufacturers/service providers, who wish to install innovative stand-alone solar pumps in the country under Schemes operated by MNRE.
- Call of Expression of Interest (EoI)
Ministry will call EoI from time to time for inviting application from solar pump innovators claiming better performance on account of improved efficiency, cost effectiveness, monitoring, other value addition, etc.
New technologies for which patent/IP related filings have been done (patent may not have been awarded) will also be eligible to participate in the EoI. Organization which has filed the patent should be the sole applicant or lead partner in case of a consortium/JV. 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.
- Evaluation of Applications
Applications will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee constituted by MNRE. The Committee may recommend testing of performance of the pump at NISE or any other NABL accredited laboratory before allowing installation of such pumps in the field. The innovator would need to submit the test report along with the applications, if has been tested earlier. In cases, where the technology is in its nascent stage, special method may be adopted to test the pumps in consultation with the innovator and NISE.
- Demonstration of the Innovation in Farmers’ Field
On recommendations of the Committee, the innovative technology will be allowed for demonstration in the field after getting consent from respective state implementing agency(SIA) and the beneficiary farmers by the innovator. The innovator will be allowed to install up to 50 solar pumps in different parts of the State/country for demonstration purpose.
For payment (subsidy and beneficiary share), AMC, performance guarantee, etc., the innovators will be treated at par with other vendors selected through competitive bidding process and awarded work for installation of solar water pumps in the respective state. In addition, the innovators have to fill-up indemnity bond against damages and refund of all payments in case of underperformance of solar pump than claimed by the innovator during the period of demonstration.
The field demonstration will continue for at least one year from date of installation of such pumps and during that period the performance of the pump will be monitored on real time basis. Access to remote monitoring facility for the installed pumps shall be provided to NISE so that field data may be accumulated and evaluated.
Innovator will submit on monthly basis a detailed performance report of the pump including a comparative analysis with similar capacity MNRE specified pump, along with feedback from SIA & beneficiary farmers to the Evaluation Committee. The Committee after detailed examination and deliberations may recommend for adoption of successful innovation technology with certain modifications, if required.
- Adoption of technology by MNRE
On recommendations of the Evaluation Committee, the MNRE may adopt the innovative technology and update the existing specification after having detailed stakeholders’ consultation on the same.
