Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has issued a request for quotation (RfQ) for the supply of module mounting structures for Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited’s (GSECL) solar projects in the state.

The quotations have been invited for the supply of 720 metric tons of superstructures of module mounting for a 75 MW solar PV project at Dhuvaran in Gujarat.

The materials supplied should have a warranty of 18 months. The last date for the submission of bids is July 7, 2020.

According to the tender document, a share of 60% and 40% will be procured from two vendors.  The superstructures must be delivered by October 10, 2020. A quantity of 432 metric tons (60%) will be procured from the bidder quoting the lowest quantity (L1), and 288 metric tons (40%) will be from the second lowest bidder (L2).

The pre-qualification criterion for the fabrication of the superstructures requires that the interested bidder should be a manufacturer and have an in-house cold roll forming facility with a minimum capacity of 400 metric tons per month.

For the hot-dip galvanization facility, the interested bidder should either have an in-house galvanization facility or should have a facility in one of its subsidiary companies. The bidder can also have a tie-up with another company for hot-dip galvanizing works. The thickness of the galvanization should be a minimum of at least 80 microns.

BHEL has also specified that the prospective bidder must procure the raw materials (steel sheets) from original equipment manufacturers and sub-vendors like Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (TISCO), Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Jindal, and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd.

In February 2019, Mercom had reported that the GSECL had issued a tender for setting up 75 MW of solar projects at Dhuvaran, near Khambhat along with a 100 MW project at Raghanesda Ultra Mega Solar Park, both in Gujarat. Then in November 2019, BHEL issued a request for a quotation for high-tension cables 100 MW  solar projects in Raghanesda and 75 MW of projects at Dhuvaran.

Module mounting structures are the backbone of any solar project. Good quality mounting structures on a ground-mounted or rooftop solar project not only helps maintain the optimum generation; these structures need to withstand the weight of solar panels, high wind speeds, and varying temperatures. Lately, aggressive bidding has taken a toll on mounting structures as the quality is being sacrificed to cut costs, which could have a negative consequence on hundreds of solar projects that are supposed to last 25 years in any weather. Read Mercom’s in-depth report on the deteriorating quality of module mounting structures and their impact on project viability here.

Notably, the Ministry of Finance recently imposed an anti-dumping duty on aluminum and zinc coated flat products from China PR, Vietnam, and Korea RP. These flat products are used in solar projects. Solar modules are placed on mounting structures that are made of aluminum and zinc coated flat products.