The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to establish 1,750 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects across various institutions in Meghalaya, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and New Delhi. These projects will be implemented under the renewable energy service company model on a build-own-operate basis.
The bidding submission deadline is February 28, 2025. The distribution of projects includes 800 kW at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya with a maximum tariff of Rs 5.15 per kWh, 150 kW at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) Chandigarh with a maximum tariff of Rs 4.66 per kWh, 450 kW at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai with a maximum tariff of Rs 4.50 per kWh, 250 kW at the North-Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) Guwahati with a maximum tariff of Rs 5.00 per kWh, and 100 kW at the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) New Delhi with a maximum tariff of Rs 5.15 per kWh.
According to the tender guidelines, the bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit ranging from Rs 90,000 for the ICSSR New Delhi project to Rs 792,000 for the NIT Meghalaya project. Additionally, a performance bank guarantee of Rs 3,375 per kW for Zone III locations and Rs 3,713 per kW for Zone IV locations is mandatory. Service charges are set at Rs 1,350 per kW for Zone III and Rs 1,485 per kW for Zone IV, plus 18 per cent GST. The bid processing fee, inclusive of GST, is Rs 6,000. The scope of work encompasses design, engineering, supply, installation, commissioning, as well as operation and maintenance of the systems. The projects will utilise half-cut Mono Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact Cell modules with a minimum capacity of 500 Wp and an efficiency of at least 20 per cent.
According to the eligibility criteria, the bidders must demonstrate an annual turnover ranging from Rs 9,00,000 to Rs 7.92 million, based on the last financial year or within seven days of the bid submission deadline. The commissioning deadlines are nine months for Zone III locations (Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi) and 12 months for Zone IV locations (Meghalaya and Assam), with a maximum delay allowance of six months. Selected bidders must achieve annual capacity utilisation factor targets of 15 per cent for Zone III and 13.5 per cent for Zone IV.