Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), a joint venture between the central government and the Rajasthan government, has floated a tender for 300,000 multicrystalline silicon solar cells with a wattage of 4.5W.

Bidders are not required to make an earnest money deposit for this tender. The last date for submitting bids is January 28, 2021.

REIL seeks the supply of four or five busbar multicrystalline silicon solar cells 156*156 ± 1.0 mm or 156.75*156.75 ± 1.0 mm in dimension. The thickness of the solar cells should be 200 +/- 20 µm. It said that 25% of the tendered quantity is earmarked for micro and small enterprise (MSE) suppliers. Of this, 20% is reserved for MSEs owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs.

The cells must be free of cracks, holes, cuts, edge chipping, missing gridlines, smudges, patches, spots, marks, mechanical damage, or color and pattern mismatches. They must be vacuum packed in an export-worthy manner to avoid damage during transit in lots of 100 and must be secured tightly in shock-proof thermocol boxes. The vendor must supply the cells in a power band of 0.05W.

Vendors are expected to provide information regarding cell type, crystalline structure, resistivity, orientation, thickness, and wattage of the cells in each box on a sticker.

REIL said it would prefer to deal directly with manufacturers or their dealers. It sought a contract period till March 3, 2021. The cells are to be supplied on a monthly shipment basis, as mutually agreed. Preference will be given to indigenous manufacturers, as long as they meet quality standards and specifications.

Vendors who have not previously supplied cells to REIL are expected to submit a sample lot of 140 cells of each wattage free of cost for evaluation before the tender’s due date. REIL would consider a new vendor for trial order subject to the sample’s approval and suitability of terms and conditions.

REIL reserved the right to extend the delivery period if required. If deliveries are not made on time, liquidated damages will be applicable at the rate of 1% of the shipment’s overall value per week, limited to a maximum of 10%.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, REIL has floated tenders for 5.75 million solar cells so far.

Recently, REIL floated a tender for 200,000 multicrystalline silicon solar cells of 4.67W.