The Indraprastha Power Generation Company (IPGCL) has auctioned 21.5 MW of rooftop solar projects to be developed under RESCO and CAPEX mode in Delhi.

When contacted, an IPGCL official informed, “Under RESCO mode, 19.5 MW of rooftop solar PV projects have been auctioned. Out of the auctioned capacity, 15.5 MW will be developed atop government schools in Delhi. This auction was for RESCO A category, for projects up to the maximum capacity of 100 kW at a single location. For the 15.5 MW, Stockwell Solar Services offered the lowest (L1) rate of ₹3.75 (~$0.053)/kWh, and four other bidders matched the L1 tariff.”

The IPGCL official further commented, “For RESCO B (projects more than 100 kW at a single location), a capacity of 4 MW has been auctioned. Oakridge Energy quoted the lowest tariff of ₹3.13 (~$0.044)/kWh. Two other bidders matched the lowest bid for RESCO B.”

Talking to Mercom, Shobhit Kumar, Director, Oakridge Energy, said, “We are happy to have won the tender for solarizing Delhi schools and contributing to Delhi government’s vision of green energy powering government establishments.”

The IPGCL official further informed that under CAPEX mode, 2 MW of rooftop solar PV capacity had been auctioned. Under CAPEX A category for 1 MW of rooftop solar capacity (project size between 1 kW and 10 kW), Chennai-based Sun Sine Solution bid the lowest tariff at ₹37,400 (~$531)/kW. Four other bidders matched the lowest bid for this category.

Under the CAPEX B category, 500 kW was auctioned (project size 10 kW to 100 kW), and Astone Energy quoted the lowest rate of ₹40,000 (~$568)/kW. Around 20 other bidders matched the L1 bid, but projects will be awarded to only two, informed the IPGCL official.

Under CAPEX C category comprising 500 kW rooftop solar PV capacity (project size more than 100 kW), Alien Energy quoted ₹34,189 (~$485)/kW, the official said. “The bids quoted in the auction are aggressive. The other good thing is that IPGCL has signed an MoU with Delhi government schools.

IPGCL had tendered the capacity in June 2019.

In January 2019, the IPGCL received RESCO and CAPEX bids for an earlier tender. The tender was issued for 35 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects in December 2018.

Delhi’s major distribution company (DISCOM), BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL), launched an initiative called Solar City in the national capital last year. This initiative falls in line with the union government’s endeavor to expand the use of green energy.

Image Credit: Zunroof