Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) has issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) to empanel vendors to install 15 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar systems in Punjab.

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

The project must be commissioned within six months of the approval by MNRE. Empanelled bidders must provide five years of operation and maintenance (O&M) services.

The last date to submit the bids is May 30, 2022. Bids will be opened on June 1.

The project is divided into Parts A, B, C, and D. Under Part A, systems of 1 kW to 3 kW each are to be installed. Bidders can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 50 kW and a maximum of 500 kW. The total capacity to be installed under part A is 500 kW. Under Part B, systems above 3 kW up to 10 kW each are to be installed. Bidders can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 1.2 MW and a maximum of 12 MW. The total capacity to be installed under Part B is 12 MW.

Under Part C, systems of above 10 kW up to 100 kW each are to be installed. Bidders can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 200 kW and a maximum of 2 MW. The total capacity to be installed under Part C is 2 MW. Under Part D, systems of 100 kW up to 500 kW capacity are to be installed. Bidders can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 100 kW and a maximum of 500 kW. The total aggregate capacity for Part D is 500 kW.

Bidders participating in Part A must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹50,000 (~$652). To participate in all other parts, bidders must remit an earnest money deposit of  ₹500,000 (~$6,523).

The empanelled bidders must submit a performance bank guarantee (PBG) calculated at 3% of the contract value per allocated capacity multiplied by the discovered cost within 30 days of the work order.

The O&M PBG calculated at 3% of the contract value per allocated capacity multiplied by the discovered cost within 30 days from the empanelment period must be paid once empanelled. If the vendor cannot submit the O&M PBG, the initial PBG for installation and commission will be encashed.

Bidders must have commissioned grid-connected rooftop solar systems with an aggregate capacity of not less than 250 kW during the last three financial years ending 2020-21.

Bidders must have an average annual turnover of ₹10,000 (~$131)/kW of quoted capacity in the last three financial years ending 2020-21. MSME bidders registered in Punjab are exempted from the financial eligibility requirements. Bidders must have a net worth of ₹5,000 (~$65) /kW of quoted capacity.

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.

PSPCL has issued a request for selection to procure power from 1 GW of solar projects with a minimum capacity of 5 MW located in Punjab through a long-term tariff-based competitive bidding process.

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