The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has invited bids for 2.5 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects on BSNL buildings in different zones of Maharashtra. The project will be developed under the RESCO model.

The scope of work will include the site survey, design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance (O&M) of 2.5 MW of grid-connected rooftop projects.

The last date for the online submission of bids is March 17, 2020, and the last date for the submission of hard copies is March 18, 2020.

The interested bidder who wants to take part in the bidding process should have designed, supplied, installed, and commissioned at least one grid-connected solar PV project having a capacity of not less than 50 kW, which should have been commissioned at least six months before the techno-commercial bid opening date.

Regarding the financial criteria, the average annual turnover of the bidder during the last three years should not be less than ₹40 million (~$560,042). The bidder should be from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) approved vendors for solar rooftop projects. The bidder should have experience of having completed similar works for the central and state governments, central autonomous bodies, or central public sector undertakings in the last seven years.

The bidder should have completed three projects costing not less than 40% of the estimated cost with installed capacity of 1 MW or two projects costing not less than 60% of the estimated cost with an installed capacity of 1.5 MW or one project costing not less than 80% of the estimated cost with an installed capacity of 2 MW. The single project capacity cannot be less than 50 kW.

Recently, the Department of Telecommunications issued directions to the telecom service providers to use of renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient technologies. The move could open up another segment of the market to solar, wind, and battery energy storage companies, along with reducing carbon emissions from diesel generators, which are predominantly used by telecom towers for backup power.

In October last year, Leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel Limited had entered into an agreement with AMPSolar Evolution Private Limited (AMPSolar), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMPSolar Technology Private Limited, to acquire equity shares and compulsorily convertible debentures as part of a group captive solar project deal.