The Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) has introduced a tender for over 1 MW of off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be installed in the state. Through this tender, 46 off-grid solar systems of capacity 25 kW each will be set up across the state.

The bid submission deadline is July 5, 2019, with the entire capacity divided into four packages. Packages 1,2, and 3 consists of 12 off-grid solar PV projects of 25 kW each and the fourth package consists of 10 off-grid solar PV projects of 25 kW each.

When contacted, an Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA) official informed that a single bidder could bid for a maximum of two packages. As these off-grid solar PV projects will be set up on government buildings across Arunachal Pradesh, they will also receive a central government subsidy.

The scope of work includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the off-grid solar PV projects. The successful bidder will also be responsible for the maintenance of the off-grid solar PV projects for five years.

In states like Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand, where the terrain is tough for developing large-scale solar PV projects, off-grid solar systems is a feasible option. Recently, the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) also issued a tender for 4,664 kW of off-grid solar PV projects to be developed across the state.

Recently, Minister for Power, R.K. Singh, informed the Lok Sabha that so far, solar microgrids of 2299.2 kW aggregate capacity have been installed in 73 villages of the country with financial support. Singh also informed the members that under the ‘Solar Off-Grid and Decentralized Applications Program,’ the ministry has provided financial support of nearly 30% of the cost for the installations in rural areas of the country.

Back in 2016, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) had invited a global tender on behalf of APEDA to electrify 1,058 off-grid villages in the state by installing 300 Wp solar power packs. The project was to be developed under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), a government-run program aimed at empowering power projects and providing continuous power supply to rural India.