Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has invited expression of interest from the global manufacturers of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU is to supply poly or monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar modules of 330 W or above, in 5 W band only.

The last date to submit bids is November 11, 2021.

Bidders are not required to furnish an earnest money deposit for this tender. However, the successful bidder must provide insurance or submit 10% of the contract value as a performance bank guarantee.

The successful bidder has to provide a product warranty of ten years and a performance warranty of 25 years for solar modules. The solar modules’ peak output must not be over 0.75% annually till the end of 25 years.

The successful bidder has to deliver modules within eight weeks from the date of manufacturing clearance issued by BHEL. In the case of delayed delivery, the vendor will have to pay 0.5% of the total contract price per week, subject to a maximum of 10% of the total contract value as liquidated damages.

The selected bidder is expected to supply 72-cell mono or poly solar modules in a 12*6 configuration or 144-cell (half-cut) in a 24*6 configuration.

The solar modules must perform satisfactorily in humidity up to 85% and between -40°C and +85°C and withstand harsh environmental conditions. Every module should comply with International Electrotechnical Standards (IEC). No negative power tolerance would be accepted.

The minimum efficiency of modules should be 16%. The glass used for modules should be of high transmission, low iron, toughened with a minimum thickness of around 3.2 mm, and blending less than 0.3%.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders must have manufactured and supplied a total of 10 MW or above capacity using 300 W or above ratings of modules in any of the last three financial years.

BHEL said 25% of the tendered quantity had been reserved for micro and small enterprise (MSE) suppliers. Out of the 25% reserved for MSE suppliers, 6.25% has been earmarked for procurement by MSEs owned by Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs, and 3% has been reserved for women-owned MSEs.

If the MSE vendor participating in the tender quotes within the price band of lowest (L1) + 15%, the vendor will be allowed to supply 25% of the requirement subject to the acceptance of the L1 price.

Last month, BHEL invited bids to procure silicon wafers for manufacturing solar cells to meet the annual module manufacturing capacity of 200 MW.

It also invited bids for 7.1 million 158.75 mm diamond wire saw (DWS) multicrystalline silicon solar wafers.

 

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Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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