The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) has invited bids for a rate contract to solarize 500 HP of grid-connected agricultural pumps under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) program in Kerala.

The contract will have a warranty period of five years from the date of commissioning of the systems.

Under Component C of the KUSUM program, the government has revised the target to installing 1.5 million grid-connected agricultural pumps from 1 million earlier.

The last date to submit the bids is February 23, 2021. The bids will be opened on February 25.

Earlier, ANERT had invited bids from reputed manufacturers or EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contractors for a rate contract to solarize 300 HP of grid-connected agricultural pumps under the KUSUM program in Kerala.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹12 million (~$164,683). Bidders will have to furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹50,000 (~$686.17).

The tender has specified that only indigenously manufactured solar panels with indigenous solar cells and modules must be used.

The supply, installation, and commissioning of the system should be completed within one month of the supply order date.

The capacity of agricultural pumps to be solarized:

Bidders are required to quote their price for the solar power plants of capacity 1.5 kW, 2 kW, 3 kW, 5 kW, 7 kW, and 10 kW.

They must use components in the ANERT-approved list.

As per KUSUM guidelines, only a joint venture of manufacturers of solar panels or manufacturers of solar water pumps is eligible to take up projects. Bidders should have service centers and authorized service providers in all districts of Kerala.

Only crystalline silicon cell PV modules of 325Wp or higher capacity are to be used in the power projects.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, tenders for the solarization of 17,660 grid-connected agriculture pumps have been issued by various state power distribution companies.