Madhya Pradesh Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company (MPPKVVCL) has issued a tender to empanel vendors for design, installation, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning, including warranty, comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) of 7.5 MW grid-connected rooftop solar systems of various capacities.

The implementation is part of Phase II of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Program.

The work must be completed within two months from the date of issuance of the approval letter by MNRE. The successful bidders must provide five years of O&M services.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹ 353.5 million (~$4.7 million).

The last date to submit the bids is April 30, 2022, and the bids will be opened on May 2.

The bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹100,000 (~$1,317.52) along with a tender fee of ₹11,800 (~$155.46).

The performance bank guarantee (PBG) to be submitted by the successful bidder is calculated by multiplying the allocated capacity by 3% of the project’s discovered cost. The PBG must be deposited within 30 days from the date of issue of the Letter of Award (LOA).

The successful bidder must also pay a performance bank guarantee for operation and maintenance, calculated by multiplying the installed capacity with 3% of the project’s discovered cost within 30 days of empanelment.

The project is divided into parts A, B, C, and D. Under part A, projects of 1 to 3 kW each, and under part B, projects of above 3 kW to 10 kW each are to be installed. Bidders can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 100 kW and a maximum of 700 kW. The total aggregate capacity for part A is 3 MW, and for part B is 3.5 MW.

Under part C, projects of above 10 kW to 100 kW each, and under part D, projects of above 100 kW to 500 kW each must be installed. For both parts, bidders can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 100 kW and a maximum of 200 kW. The total aggregate capacity for both the parts will be 500 kW each.

The successful bidder must evacuate and inject surplus power into the grid at the interconnection points agreed with the distribution companies (DISCOMs).

To be eligible, the bidders must have designed, supplied, installed & commissioned off-grid or grid-connected solar power projects having an aggregate capacity not less than 250 kWp, commissioned before the bid submission. The bidders with no prior experience will not be allowed to submit price bids and will be allowed to implement rooftop solar projects subject to matching of L-1 price. The tendering authority reserves the right to allocate project capacities to such bidders in batches.

The minimum average annual turnover of bidders must be ₹5 million (~$65,876) in the last three financial years. The bidders must have a positive net worth at the end of the previous financial year.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been exempted from the financial eligibility requirements.

The MNRE will provide central financial assistance (CFA) up to 40 % for rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW capacity. For rooftop systems of capacity above 3 kW and up to 10 kW, the CFA of 40% would be applicable only for the first 3 kW capacity, and for capacity above 3 kW, the CFA would be limited to 20%.

For group housing societies or residential welfare associations, CFA will be limited to 20% for installing the rooftop system to supply power to common facilities. The capacity eligible for CFA will be limited to 10 kW per house.

MPMKVVCL recently also issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) to design, supply, erect, and commission 20 MW of residential rooftop solar systems by various agencies in Madhya Pradesh.

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