The Samastipur division of the Eastern Railway has issued a request for qualification to empanel state-wise developers for implementing 1 MW grid-connected rooftop solar systems.

The rooftop solar systems will be installed at various locations/stations/depots at service buildings.

The last date to submit bids is July 25, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The scope of the work covers the design, procurement, erection (including civil and structural works), installation, testing, and commissioning of the rooftop systems. Work must be completed in 180 days.

Bidders must also operate and maintain the rooftop solar systems projects for 25 years. They must enter into power purchase agreements (PPA) with the zonal railway.

There will be no central financial assistance such as subsidies or viability gap funding from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy or the Railways.

The rooftop solar systems will have net-metering arrangements.

One state-wise agency for each solar capacity and range will be selected. The capacities are

10 to 100 kW and 100 kW to 500 kW

The empanelment, which will be for a year from the letter of award, can be extended by a year.

Bidders should have installed a minimum aggregate of 50 kW of grid-connected/off-grid solar rooftop projects as developers or in the EPC mode.

They should have supplied, installed, and commissioned a minimum aggregate of 100 kW of grid-connected/off-grid solar rooftop projects as developers or in the EPC mode in the residential, social, industrial, commercial, or government sectors.

The cost of the bid document is ₹34,810 (~$417.13), inclusive of GST. Bidders must pay an earnest money deposit of ₹1.07 million (~$20,372)/MW. Micro & Small Enterprises seeking exemption from both fees must submit the Udyog Aadhar certificate.

Bidders must furnish a performance security of ₹1.6 million (~$19,174)/MW within 30 days of signing the PPA.

The aggregate turnover of the bidders during the last three financial years and the current financial year should not be less than ₹10 million (~$119,835) per MW.

Bidders must have a positive net worth in the last three financial years.

The bidder’s parent company will also be considered if it holds a minimum 26% share in the bidding company.

In May, the Eastern Central Railway invited bids to empanel agencies to implement 1.1 MW rooftop solar projects for the Samastipur division.

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