- Component B = standalone off-grid solar pumps for farms with no grid power.
- Common sizes are 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 HP, each with a universal controller (USPC).
- You empanel, then bid; the lowest evaluated bid often wins.
- Funding = central + state + farmer share — collect the farmer share before install.
- You get paid after a passed acceptance test and a complete document pack.
- Every cost, slab and timeline here is an estimate — verify with the SNA or tender.
For most solar EPCs, PM-KUSUM Component B is where the volume is. The pumps are small, the tenders run often, and the demand is huge. But Component B is a tight-margin, paperwork-heavy business, and the winners are the EPCs who run it like a system. This guide is that system, start to finish.
What PM-KUSUM Component B is
PM-KUSUM Component B funds standalone, off-grid solar water pumps for farmers who have no grid connection at their field. The pump runs straight off solar panels, with no wire to the grid. It replaces a diesel pump, so the farmer saves fuel and the field gets reliable water. Common sizes are 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 HP.
See how Component B sits next to Components A and C in our components A, B and C guide, and the full path at PM-KUSUM hub. If you are weighing B against C, read Component B vs C.
Who Component B is for
Component B suits small and mid EPCs with field crews and steady working capital. You install many small pumps across a district, so you need reliable teams, good logistics, and the cash to fund the gap between install and subsidy payout. It is a volume game, not a one-big-project game.
The working-capital reality
You pay for pumps and labour up front, collect a farmer share, and wait for the government share. That gap can be months. EPCs that run out of cash mid-tender are the ones who lose. Plan the cash cycle before you bid — the numbers are in bid economics and the payment timeline FAQ.
Pump sizes and the universal controller
Component B pumps come in standard HP sizes, and each pump uses a universal solar pump controller (USPC) so any approved pump works with the controller. The right size depends on the water depth, the plot, and the crop. Here is a quick reference.
Sizes and costs are indicative — verify with the SNA or live tender.
Pick the right size for sizing accuracy and farmer happiness. Our pump sizing guide and AC vs DC pump guide go deeper, and the USPC guide covers the controller.
How to win the tender
You win a Component B tender by first empanelling with the state nodal agency, then submitting a competitive bid with earnest money. The lowest evaluated bid often wins, so your cost discipline decides the outcome. Get empanelled first — the path is in our empanelment process guide.
Read the tender before you bid
Every tender has its own pump sizes, benchmark costs, farmer share, timeline and penalty clauses. Read it line by line and price the real cost, including logistics and the cash gap. Use our tender document checklist so you do not miss an EMD format or a deadline that disqualifies you.
How to deliver the job
After award you run a repeatable cycle for every pump: confirm the farmer, collect the farmer share, survey the borewell, install, commission, pass acceptance, and file the claim. The EPCs who win at Component B turn this into an assembly line, not a one-off.
- Confirm the farmer against the approved list and eligibility.
- Collect the farmer share before you order or install the pump.
- Survey the water source — depth and yield decide the pump size; see borewell survey.
- Install to spec with an approved pump and the universal controller.
- Pass the acceptance test and capture proof for the claim.
The money and the farmer share
A Component B pump is paid by three shares: central financial assistance from MNRE, a state share, and a farmer share collected before install. The split changes by state and farmer category. Do not quote a single national number — confirm the current slab with the SNA or the live tender. The full money map is in our subsidy structure explained.
Why the farmer share comes first
Always collect the farmer share before you install. It is the only part of the price the farmer controls, and chasing it after install is the fastest way to lose margin. The subsidy claim process and the GST 70/30 rule shape your final numbers, so model them before you bid.
Spec, DCR and the acceptance test
Every pump must meet the MNRE technical specification and the DCR/ALMM content rules, and it must pass a commissioning acceptance test before you can claim. Use only approved pump brands and modules. The DCR/ALMM rules are volatile and litigated, so confirm them against the latest MNRE office memorandum before you order.
The detail is in our MNRE technical specification, DCR/ALMM compliance, approved pump brands and the commissioning acceptance test guides.
The five-year O&M
Winning the tender comes with a typical five-year operation-and-maintenance duty for every pump you install (verify the exact term in your tender). You must keep the pumps running and fix faults fast, or you risk penalties and a hit to your rating. Plan spares and field response from day one.
The O&M playbook, spares logistics and fault patterns are in our five-year AMC/O&M guide, spares and warranty logistics and why solar pumps fail.
Common mistakes that kill margin
Most Component B losses come from a handful of avoidable mistakes. Watch these from your first tender.
- Under-pricing the cash gap — the wait for the government share eats working capital.
- Skipping the farmer share up front — chasing it later loses margin.
- Wrong pump sizing — an undersized pump fails and triggers O&M calls.
- Missing documents — an incomplete pack holds the whole claim.
- Weak O&M plan — slow fault response risks penalties and your rating.
How SuryaHub helps Component B EPCs
Component B is a high-volume, deadline-driven business, and that is where software pays for itself. SuryaHub runs each pump from tender award to subsidy claim, tracking the farmer share, install, acceptance test, document pack and five-year O&M in one place. The project management module keeps every pump on the tender timeline, and the mobile field app lets crews capture install proof on site. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and every figure here is a scheme fact to verify, not a guarantee.
Run every pump like an assembly line
See how SuryaHub tracks the farmer share, acceptance test and O&M per pump.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is PM-KUSUM Component B?+
PM-KUSUM Component B funds standalone, off-grid solar water pumps for farmers who have no grid connection at their field. The pump runs straight off solar panels, with no wire to the grid. Common sizes are 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 HP, picked by the farmer water need and depth.
How does an EPC win a PM-KUSUM Component B tender?+
An EPC wins a Component B tender by first empanelling with the state nodal agency, then submitting a competitive bid with earnest money. The lowest evaluated bid often wins. After award, the EPC posts a performance bank guarantee and takes on the installation and the five-year O&M duty.
Who pays for a Component B solar pump?+
A Component B solar pump is paid by three shares: central financial assistance from MNRE, a state share, and a farmer share collected before install. The split changes by state and farmer category, so confirm the current slab with the state nodal agency or the live tender before you quote.
What pump sizes does PM-KUSUM Component B cover?+
PM-KUSUM Component B commonly covers 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 HP solar pumps, in AC or DC types. The right size depends on the water table depth, the plot size and the crop. Each pump uses a universal solar pump controller and must meet the MNRE technical specification.
When does an EPC get paid the Component B subsidy?+
An EPC gets the Component B subsidy after the pump is installed, the acceptance test is passed, and the farmer document pack is complete and verified. Any missing document or a failed acceptance test holds the claim. Payment timelines are an estimate, so confirm with the state nodal agency.
How does SuryaHub help Component B pump EPCs?+
SuryaHub runs each Component B job from tender award to subsidy claim, tracking the farmer share, install, acceptance test, documents and five-year O&M for every pump in one place. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; the only real pilots are Suryantra Energy and RGESPL, and all figures are estimates to verify.
Sources & references
Pump specs, benchmark costs and the funding split come from primary government sources. Every benchmark cost, subsidy slab, farmer share and timeline is set by MNRE and the states and is revised periodically — confirm the current figure with the state nodal agency or the live tender before you bid.
- Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) ↗
Component B guidelines, pump specs and benchmark costs.
- PM-KUSUM National Portal ↗
Component B pump allocation and state progress.
- SECI ↗
Model solar pump tender documents and technical specs.
Written by the SuryaHub team · reviewed against MNRE, PM-KUSUM portal & SECI sources · updated 19 June 2026.
Method: Pump specs and the funding split are taken from the government sources above and re-checked every 30 days. All benchmark costs, slabs and timelines are estimates to verify with the state nodal agency. SuryaHub is pre-revenue; only Suryantra Energy and RGESPL are real pilots.
Change log: 19 Jun 2026 — first published.