The Directorate of Agriculture, Assam, has invited bids to empanel manufacturers and system integrators for installing and commissioning solar water pumping systems and solar tubewells on a turnkey basis.

The successful bidder will also have to take care of the operation and maintenance of the solar water pumping systems for five years from the date of commissioning.

The last date to submit the bids online is March 17, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day.

Bidders will have to submit ₹1 million (~$12,191) as an earnest money deposit. The successful bidder must submit an amount equivalent to 3% of the contract value as a performance security deposit.

The technical specification of the solar water pumping system with 2 HP DC solar pumps (surface/submersible) should comply with the standard technical specification of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Only technically qualified participants in the competitive bids published and conducted by the Energy Efficiency Services will be eligible to participate in the bidding process.

The empaneled respondents will generate demand for their proposed solar water pumping systems among prospective farmers in various districts of the state. As per the interest of beneficiary farmers, the implementing agency will select the systems from the empaneled manufacturers and system integrators.

The benchmark cost for standalone solar pumps will be as per the rates set by MNRE.

The solar water pumping system should be operated by a solar array with a minimum capacity in the range of 900 W to 9,000 W, measured under standard testing conditions.

The solar modules should have a minimum efficiency of 15%, and the fill factor more than 70%.

The modules must be warranted for output wattage, which should not be less than 90% of the rated wattage at the end of ten years and 80% of the rated wattage at the end of 25 years.

Using indigenously manufactured solar modules with indigenous mono or multicrystalline silicon solar cells will be mandatory. The motor pump set, controller, and the balance of system should also be manufactured indigenously. The vendor must declare the list of imported components used in the solar water pumping system.

In 2020, the Public Health Engineering Department of Assam had floated a tender for converting diesel-driven water pipelines to solar power-operated piped water supply systems in eight different packages across the state.

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