RFP - Start-up Incubation in Renewable Energy (RE) Sector

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About the Organization

NISE is an autonomous specialized institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, mandated for research and development, solar component testing and certification, capacity building, and development of solar products and applications. The technical support of NISE complements the requirements of MNRE to become a selfreliable renewable power producing nation and accept the series of challenges intervened in amidst of implementation of the National Solar Mission (NSM). NISE has established in the solar energy sector through continuous efforts by developing newer technologies, developing standards, and catering to the changing needs in the industry. Furthermore, NISE envisions in accelerating the proliferation of the renewable energy sector by intently working together with the Government of India.

NISE is situated at Gwal Pahari on Gurugram-Faridabad Road in Gurugram, Haryana. The institute has a 200-acre campus which is registered as a society under the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Societies Act 2012 (Registration No. is HR-018-2013-01092). NISE has set up state-of-the-art laboratories with advanced equipment for carrying out Research & Testing in PV cell, PV module, Solar Thermal, Green Hydrogen and allied applications. Beyond standard testing, NISE is engaged in the research and standardization of solar energy systems, fostering innovation through experimental and theoretical projects that aim to enhance the performance and reliability of solar technology systems for the industry. NISE testing facilities include (i) Solar Cell Characterization Lab (ii) Solar PV Module Testing (Indoor & Outdoor) Lab (iii) Power Electronic Laboratory (iv) Battery Testing & Characterization Lab (v) Advanced Solar PV system & lighting Lab (vi) Solar Water Pumping System Testing Lab (vii) Solar Powered Cold Storage Testing Facility (viii) Solar Radiation Calibration Laboratory & R&D Facility.

About the Proposal

The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), in collaboration with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) IIT Delhi Sonipat Innovation Foundation, Haryana, is pleased to announce a dedicated program to support and accelerate start-up-led innovation in the Renewable Energy (RE) sector. This initiative is aimed at fostering the development and commercialization of indigenous renewable energy solutions and technologies that contribute to India’s clean energy transition.

The program is uniquely designed to provide value-added support in collaboration with industry associations, technical bodies, and government stakeholders. Selected start-ups will receive assistance in pilot demonstration, product testing, validation, and establishing industry linkages, helping them move from lab-scale innovation to market-ready solutions.

The initiative aligns with national priorities in the field of renewable energy and India’s commitment to building a clean, green, and sustainable energy future. It supports the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) in the energy sector and contributes to the realization of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) through the widespread adoption of indigenous, low-carbon, and environmentally responsible energy solutions. The program focuses on supporting start-ups engaged in the development of solar energy systems, green hydrogen technologies, battery storage, smart energy management, AI/ML in RE, EV integration, small hydro, wind and decentralized renewable applications, among others.

Through this Call for Proposals, start-ups will have the opportunity to:

• Translate prototypes or proof-of-concepts into commercially viable products
• Access to state-of-the-art testing facilities and expert mentorship of NISE and AIC IIT Delhi.
• Build industry connections through NSEFI’s vast solar and clean energy network
• Participate in pilot and demonstration projects with real-world application potential
• Establish and strengthen local supply chains for renewable energy components and systems

This joint initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of Indian clean-tech start-ups by supporting innovation at the component, sub-system, and system levels — thereby contributing to the nation’s goal of energy independence and sustainability.

Scope of the Call for Proposal:

The program aims to accelerate the transition of renewable energy innovations from earlystage prototypes (TRL 3-4) to market-ready solutions (TRL 6-8) by enabling real-world deployment, pilot demonstrations, and commercialization support. The initiative focuses on addressing critical gaps in the clean energy innovation ecosystem, including R&D, product development, testing, validation, standardization, and market access. Proposals are invited from start-ups that have demonstrated indigenous capability in developing technologies, components, or sub-systems in areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, DRE applications, small hydro, wind, smart grids, and clean mobility solutions. Selected start-ups will be supported in scaling their innovations, establishing supply chains, and reducing dependence on imported technologies. The goal is to foster local manufacturing, reduce costs, and enable the deployment of highimpact renewable energy technologies that align with India’s goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. The final outcomes should demonstrate industry-grade prototypes suitable for commercial adoption and integration across the energy value chain.

Objectives:

The objective of this call for proposals is to identify and support innovative RE start-ups by providing access to technical, financial, and strategic resources to accelerate the development, validation, and commercialization of clean energy solutions.

• To identify and support innovative start-ups working on transformative technologies and business models in the RE sector.
• To accelerate the development and commercialization of clean energy solutions by providing access to technical, strategic, and financial support.
• To facilitate access to state-of-the-art R&D, prototyping, and testing infrastructure available at NISE for product development and validation.
• To build a robust ecosystem by connecting start-ups with expert mentors, investors, industry leaders, and government agencies for scale-up and market entry.
• To promote self-reliance and sustainability by encouraging the development of indigenous technologies aligned with national clean energy goals.

Focus Areas:

The identified thrust areas for this call for proposals focus on advancing innovation in key segments of the RE sector. These include solar energy technologies, green hydrogen, energy storage systems, decentralized renewable applications, smart energy management, and circular economy solutions. Start-ups working on emerging technologies aligned with clean energy goals are encouraged to apply.

Facilities and Support Offered under the call for proposal:

The following facilities and support are envisaged under this Call for Proposals, to be provided by NISE, NSEFI, AIC IIT Delhi and other stakeholders.

• Access to State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
• Technical Mentorship
• Industry Mentorship
• Co-working and Incubation Space
• Product Standardisation & Certification
• Business and Market Linkages
• Opportunities for Seed Funding and Grant
• Pilot and Demonstration Opportunities
• Capacity Building and Networking Events
• Collaborative Ecosystem and Institutional Support

Eligibility

Start-ups applying for support under the NISE RE Start-up Incubation Program must meet the following eligibility conditions:

• The applicant must be a start-up recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at the time of application. If not registered, funding will only be disbursed after successful DPIIT recognition.
• The start-up must be an Indian entity as per the Companies Act, 2013, with at least 51% shareholding held by Indian promoters at the time of application. The Intellectual Property (IP) developed under the project should reside in India.
• The proposed solution should be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3–4 (i.e., proof of concept or lab-validated prototype), with clear potential to scale to TRL 6–8 (market-ready stage) during the incubation period.
• The start-up should require to submit the declaration stating the prior funding sought from any other central government scheme in the last five years for the same project.
• The start-up must be using technology as a core part of its product or service offering aimed at solving a real-world challenge in the RE sector.
• Each start-up or Project Leader (PI) may submit only one proposal under this call. Multiple submissions will result in disqualification.
• Project Leader (PI) Requirements:
• A qualified Project Leader must be identified, who will be responsible for the technical and managerial execution of the project.
• The PI must have completed at least an undergraduate degree in any relevant discipline.
• The PI should be a shareholder or founder in the start-up.
• The PI must personally present the proposal if shortlisted and will be responsible for signing.
• The project agreement upon selection.

How to Apply

The Project Proposal could be submitted as per the following instructions:

• Step 1 - The applicant is requested to fill the application form (.docx) provided at Annexure I and convert the same into .pdf document.
• Step 2- A soft copy in pdf format (with all enclosures/documents) to be emailed to incubation@nise.res.in on or before 26th August, 2025, 11:59 PM IST.
• No hardcopy of the project proposal should be submitted.
• Application received without the above documents with incomplete information will not be entertained.

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others