The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) has tendered 15 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be set up atop government buildings across the state. The grid-connected rooftop solar projects will be developed under RESCO mode.

The bid-submission deadline is August 28, 2019. NREDCAP will provide a subsidy equivalent to 20% of the benchmark cost for government institutions. A bidder must quote different rates separately for the installation of rooftop solar systems; with and without subsidy.

NREDCAP has set ₹5 (~$0.071)/kWh as the upper tariff cap for this tender. The project sizes will vary from 1 kW to 1,000 kW at a single location. A single bidder must bid for a minimum of 1 MW and can bid for a maximum of 5 MW. The rooftop solar PV project size will range from 1-9 kW; 10-49 kW; 50-99 kW; 100-499 kW, and 500-1,000 kW. A bidder can choose to quote for all the categories.

The scope of work includes the identification of buildings and leasing the rooftop for 25 years, obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from distribution company (DISCOM) for grid connectivity, design, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, civil work, erection, testing, and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects.

Metering and grid connectivity of the rooftop solar PV systems will be the responsibility of the bidder. The successful bidders will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the projects for 25 years after commissioning. The project commissioning timeframe has been set at 18 months from the date of award of the contract.

NREDCAP has been trying to promote rooftop solar projects to meet a portion of the increasing energy needs in Andhra Pradesh sustainably. It has also issued an empanelment tender for rooftop solar installers in the state. The tender covers rooftop solar projects with capacities ranging from 1 kW to 500 kW.

In June 2018, NREDCAP had tendered 15 MW of rooftop solar projects to be set up under RESCO mode in Andhra Pradesh.

Image credit: Solar Rooftop