Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for setting up 122 solar-powered smart class facilities in government high schools of Yadgir district of Karnataka.

The project falls under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  In August 2019, Mercom reported on how CSR funds can be an effective tool for solar expansion. The concept of CSR, which was introduced through the Companies Act 2013, puts the onus on companies to formulate policies which will help in uplifting the community.

The total capacity of the project is 36.6 kW. The last date for the submission of bids is November 22, 2019, while the tender opening date has been scheduled for November 23, 2019.

The scope of work includes the design, supply, testing, installation, and successful commissioning of the smart class hardware and educational digital content, including five years of comprehensive annual maintenance contract (CAMC).

The work for the smart class hardware involves the supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of solar-based standalone power systems with battery and other associated infrastructure and equipment, including the central processing unit (CPU) preloaded with educational digital content.

The PV systems should carry an overall warranty of at least five years. Solar PV modules should be of the crystalline silicon type and should be manufactured in India. Further, the minimum rated power of the module should not be less than 150 W.

The tender also specifies that the inverters should be hybrid with batteries with both solar and grid priority operational modes.

According to the tender document, the bidder should have an average annual turnover of at least ₹10 million (~$139,747) for the last three financial years.

Regarding the technical criteria, the successful bidder should have successfully implemented similar smart class facilities that involve smart classroom solutions or digital classrooms.

The system components should comply with the standards prescribed by either the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) or Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL). The solar PV modules used should qualify for the latest edition of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) PV module qualification.

Earlier, it was reported that the Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA) invited bidders to bid for the installation of solar projects at 312 middle schools in 11 districts of the state. The project installations will be executed under the state’s ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan’ program.

Previously, Mercom published an article that analyzed how solar is beginning to power classrooms, dormitories and canteens of multitudes of educational institutions across the country.

Image credit: Black Rock Solar [CC BY 2.0]

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.