SECI Tender For Off-Grid Solar PV Water Pumping Systems

• SECI's tender for 666,250 SPWPS has been launched to realize component B of PM-KUSUM scheme
• Systems can be installed in a number of states across India with 1 to 10 HP capacities
• Preference will be given to small and marginal farmers and CFA offered for systems up to 7.5 HP
• Only locally manufactured solar modules with indigenously produced cells, can be deployed

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is seeking vendors for the installation of off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping systems (SPWPS) of 1-10 horsepower (HP) capacities across India under component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme.

Currently, India has over 30 million agricultural pumps installed with nearly 10 million running on diesel. More than 20 million grid-connected agriculture water pumps consume well over 17% of total electricity consumption in the country. Electricity distribution companies (discoms) are unable to energize the diesel generated pumps through grid electricity.

"Solarization of the same can reduce dependence of these pumps on conventional sources of energy supplied by DISCOMs and thus reducing their burden of subsidy on agriculture consumption of electricity. This will also provide additional source of income to farmers who will be in a position to sell the surplus power to DISCOMs," states SECI.

Through this request for selection (RFS) SECI, responsible for conducting the 3^rd bidding centralized tender component B of the scheme, aims to have around 666,250 SPWPS installations carried out in a number of states.

Selected vendors will also be responsible for providing complete system warranty, and the repair and maintenance of the systems installed for 5 years.

Individual farmers can install standalone agriculture pumps of up to 7.5 HP for replacement of existing diesel counterparts/irrigation systems in off-grid areas with no grid supply. Even though systems higher than 7.5 HP may be allowed, the central financial assistance (CFA) will be limited to 7.5 HP. Priority will be given to small and marginal farmers.

"Solar PV capacity in kW for the pump capacity in HP will be allowed as per MNRE specifications under the scheme. It will be mandatory to use indigenously manufactured solar panels with indigenous solar cells and modules. Further, the motor-pump-set, controller and balance of system should also be manufactured indigenously. The vendor has to declare the list of imported components used in the manufacturing of solar water pumping system," according to tender terms and conditions.

Launched on December 31, 2022, SECI will accept bids for this solicitation till March 2, 2023. Further details are available on SECI's website.  

In November 2020, the government expanded its solar PV installation target of 25.75 GW under PM-KUSUM Scheme to 30.8 GW to be achieved by 2022. For component B, the aim is to install 2 million SPWPS with a combined 9.6 GW capacity (see MNRE Revises Solar Target Under PM-KUSUM Scheme).