The Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited (APEPDCL), a power distribution company (DISCOM) of Andhra Pradesh, has issued a request for selection (RfS) for empanelment of agencies for 1 kW to 500 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar power projects under the net metering policy.

The projects will be developed at various locations within the jurisdiction of APEPDCL under CAPEX mode. The maximum permissible capacity for rooftop will be 1 MW for a single net metering point.

The last date for the submission of bids is October 15, 2019.

According to APEPDCL, eligible bidders should have prior experience of supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance in the grid-connected solar systems in the last three years.

The rooftop solar PV projects will be developed under four categories: 1kW – 3 kW, 4 kW to 10 kW, 11 kW-100 kW, 101 kW-500 kW.

For the projects between 1 to 3 kW, the minimum cumulative turnover has to be ₹11 million (~$141,300).

For project capacity between 4 to 10 kW, the annual turnover required is ₹20 million (~$282,600) during the last three financial years.

Similarly, for the project category between 11 to 100 kW, the minimum cumulative turnover is expected to be ₹50 million (~$706,500), and for project category above 100 kW to 500 kW, the annual turnover has to  ₹100 million (~$1,413,000).

The APEPDCL has specified that the solar modules should comply with the guidelines for enlistment under the ‘Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) order, 2019’, issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The tender also states that the MNRE will provide central financial assistance (CFA) for implementing the solar projects from 1 kW to 500 kW capacities.

According to the APEPDCL, the scope of work covers the design, supply, installation, commissioning, synchronization of the projects besides maintenance and operation for five years.

The validity of empanelment and the price accepted will be for 24 months (two years).

Regarding the technical aspect of the project, the APEPDCL has specified that all system components and parts, including the mounting structures, cables, junction boxes, distribution boxes, and other parts should have a life cycle of at least 25 years. The components and parts used in the solar PV power project should conform to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), or internal specifications.

In August 2019, it was reported that the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) issued an empanelment tender for rooftop solar installers in the state. The tender covered rooftop solar projects with capacities ranging from 1 kW to 500 kW. The empanelment is valid up to June 31, 2021.

In February 2019, Mercom had reported that the Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APSPDCL) and Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APEPDCL), had issued RfS to procure 600 MW (with the supply of 8.64 MU per day) of power from wind-solar hybrid projects with energy storage technologies.

Image credit: Rachel Brinks. – U.S. Department of Energy