Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has invited a request for quotation (RfQ) to manufacture and supply 74,500 units of multi-crystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for NTPC’s 100 MW floating solar project at Ramagundam in Telangana.

These solar PV modules should be delivered by August 31, 2020. Each module should have a power output of at least 330 W. The last date for the submission of bids is May 6, 2020.

According to BHEL, only original PV module manufacturers with a module manufacturing capacity of 300 MW per annum can quote for this tender.

Another pre-qualification criteria mentioned is that the bidder should have manufactured and supplied the solar PV modules of a cumulative installed capacity of at least 40 MW. Further, the bidder should have manufactured and supplied PV modules made of indigenous or imported PV cells of power rating of at least 285 W. Solar projects using these modules should have completed at least six months of successful operation as on June 9, 2019.

As far as the technical requirements are concerned, the modules should be multicrystalline, with 72 numbers of cells in the 12×6 series configuration. The length of the module must be 1,955-1,976 mm, the width should be 976 to 996 mm, and the thickness must be 34 to 36 mm.

Further, the PV modules used should be registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Another specification mentioned in the tender document is that the backsheet used in the crystalline silicon-based modules must be three-layered. The thickness of the back sheet should be of a minimum of 300 microns with a water vapor transmission rate of less than 2.0g/m3/day.

Just a few days ago, BHEL invited bids for the balance of system works for 100 MW (AC) of grid-connected floating solar power projects for NTPC for its Ramagundam power project in Telangana.

Previously, Mercom had reported that BHEL issued a notice inviting tender for contractors to set up a 100 MW AC floating solar project for NTPC at Ramagundam.

In February 2020, BHEL had invited bids to manufacture and supply of 156.75 mm multi-crystalline solar cells with five busbars and 4.62Wp.

Image credit: West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL)