The Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APEPDCL) has released two tenders for the empanelment of agencies to install 8 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar projects of capacity between 1 kW and 500 kW. The solar systems will be developed under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model.

Apart from the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the systems, the successful bidder will also have to provide comprehensive maintenance for five years.

In the first tender for the capacity of 1 kW to 10 kW, interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹200,000 (~$2,706) as the bid security deposit. The period of contract will be valid for 12 months from the date of empanelment.  The last date to submit the bids is January 06, 2021, and the pre-bid meeting will take place on December 16, 2020.

To participate in the bidding process, the bidder should have completed a cumulative capacity of at least 50 kW grid-connected rooftop solar projects in the last five years.

Regarding the financial criteria, the bidder’s minimum annual turnover should be ₹10 million (~$135,323) in the last five years or have a net worth of ₹10 million (~$135,323) as of March 31, 2020.

According to the tender documents, the central financial assistance (CFA) for the residential sector will be permissible only if the vendor uses domestic manufactured solar panels (using domestic manufactured solar cells). The project capacity’s settlement would be done based on the prevailing benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower.

The central financial assistance (CFA) of up to 40% of the benchmark cost will be provided for systems up to 3 kW. For systems above 3 kW and up to 10 kW, a CFA of 40% will be applicable for only the first 3 kW capacity, and for others, it will be 20%. For group housing societies and residential welfare associations, the CFA will be restricted to 20% for common facilities up to 500 kW.

In the other tender for 10 kW to 500 kW, interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹500,000 (~$6,766) as the bid security amount.

The last date to submit the bids for this tender remains the same as January 06, 2020, and the pre-bid meeting will take place on December 16, 2020.

Regarding the financial criteria, the bidder’s minimum annual turnover should be ₹10 million (~$135,323) in the last five years or have a net worth of ₹10 million (~$135,323) as of March 31, 2020.

According to the tender documents, the central financial assistance (CFA) for the residential sector will be permissible only if the vendor uses domestic manufactured solar panels (using domestic manufactured solar cells). The project capacity’s settlement would be done based on the prevailing benchmark cost or the tender cost, whichever is lower.

The central financial assistance (CFA) of up to 40% of the benchmark cost will be provided for systems up to 3 kW. For systems above 3 kW and up to 10 kW, a CFA of 40% will be applicable for only the first 3 kW capacity, and for others, it will be 20%. For group housing societies and residential welfare associations, the CFA will be restricted to 20% for common facilities up to 500 kW.

In the other tender for 10 kW to 500 kW, interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹500,000 (~$6,766) as the bid security amount.

The last date to submit the bids for this tender remains the same as January 06, 2020, and the pre-bid meeting will take place on December 16, 2020.

The total solar array capacity should not be less than the allocated capacity and should comprise solar crystalline modules of a minimum 250 kWp and above wattage for both the tenders.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, Andhra Pradesh has so far floated 67.12 MW of rooftop solar tenders.

In September last year, APEPDCL issued a request for selection for empanelment of agencies for 1 kW to 500 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar power projects under the net metering policy. The projects were to be developed at various locations within the jurisdiction of APEPDCL under the CAPEX model.

Earlier, the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh also 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.