The Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) has issued a tender to set up 8 MW of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with the net metering facility. The rooftop solar projects will be developed under CAPEX mode. All the projects will be set up for residential customers. The bid-submission deadline is August 29, 2019. The PV modules used in the installations have to be made in India.

AEDA has reserved 7 MW of capacity for general bidders and 1 MW capacity for entrepreneurs having a registered office in Assam (open category). The project size will range from 1 kW to 10 kW and greater than 10 kW to 100 kW. For general bidders, the minimum bid capacity per bidder is 500 kW, and the maximum bid capacity is 1,500 kW. For entrepreneurs having a registered office in Assam, the minimum bid capacity per bidder is 100 kW, and maximum bid capacity is 250 kW.

Developers under open category do not need to submit financial bids, but they must match the lowest (L1) tariff quoted by any bidder for 7 MW of capacity. Subsidy equivalent to 70% of the benchmark cost, will be provided to the successful bidders.

The scope of work includes obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ from  Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) for grid connectivity, entering into appropriate contract with the identified consumer (or beneficiary), design, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, civil work, erection, testing and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects.

Successful bidders will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects for five years after the commissioning of the rooftop solar PV projects.

AEDA has set 45 days as the project completion timeframe for rooftop solar PV project of size 1kW to 10 kW up to a cumulative capacity of 50 kW. Moreover, it has set 60 days for rooftop projects of capacity 1 kW to 10 kW up to a cumulative capacity of 50-100 kW; and 75 days for rooftop solar PV projects of size beyond 100 kW.

AEDA has fixed 60 days as project commissioning timeframe for rooftop solar PV project of capacity >10 kW to 100 kW.

AEDA has specified that the solar PV panels should have a warranty for 25 years from the date of commissioning. The bidder will also provide a warranty covering the rectification of any/all defects in the design of equipment, materials, and workmanship, including spare parts for five years from the date of commissioning.

A few months ago, the state had issued a tender for 7 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop projects for social and institutional buildings.

Mercom recently reported that the state government of Assam aims to install 590 MW of solar energy projects which are to be developed across solar parks, rooftop, and off-grid segments by 2020.