The Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) has invited bids for empanelment of agencies for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of 20 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects on residential buildings under the net metering program.

The successful bidder will also have to maintain the projects for five years. The projects will be developed under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Phase-II solar rooftop program.

The scope of work includes the survey of the site for the rooftop solar capacity, preparation of the detailed project report for capacities greater than 100 kW, supply, design, metering, testing, and commissioning of the solar rooftop projects on residential buildings, housing societies, and residential welfare associations.

The last date to submit the bids is February 15, 2021. Bids will be opened on February 16. The estimated cost of the project is ₹940 million (~$12.8 million).

Bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹250,000 (~$3,415) as the earnest money deposit to participate in the competitive bidding process.

The benchmark costs for the rooftop solar system range between ₹47,000 ($643)/kW to ₹36,000 ($493)/kW for system capacities of 1-500 kW.

For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the minimum capacity has been set at 100 kW. The bidder should have experience in installing and commissioning a cumulative capacity of 30 kW in the last three financial years. In a joint venture, the lead bidder should have experience in operation and maintenance of solar rooftop projects completed under the central government, state government, public sector undertakings, and the private sector for 25% of the contract capacity.

For the general category, the minimum capacity has been set as 500 kW. The bidder should be experienced in installing and commissioning a cumulative capacity of 250 kW in the last three financial years.

The lead bidder’s annual turnover together with the joint venture partner in the case of MSMEs should not be less than ₹2.5 million (~$34,152) in any of the last three financial years. The lead bidder’s liquid assets and their joint venture partner together should not be less than ₹1.25 million (~$17,076).

For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the minimum capacity has been set at 100 kW. The bidder should have experience in installing and commissioning a cumulative capacity of 30 kW in the last three financial years. In a joint venture, the lead bidder should have experience in operation and maintenance of solar rooftop projects completed under the central government, state government, public sector undertakings, and the private sector for 25% of the contract capacity.

For the general category, the minimum capacity has been set as 500 kW. The bidder should be experienced in installing and commissioning a cumulative capacity of 250 kW in the last three financial years.

The lead bidder’s annual turnover together with the joint venture partner in the case of MSMEs should not be less than ₹2.5 million (~$34,152) in any of the last three financial years. The lead bidder’s liquid assets and their joint venture partner together should not be less than ₹1.25 million (~$17,076).

For the open category, the annual turnover of the lead bidder and their joint venture partner should not be less than ₹10 million (~$136,612) in any of the last three financial years. The liquid assets of the lead bidder and their joint venture partner should not be less than ₹5 million (~$68,305).

Central financial assistance (CFA) of up to 40% of the benchmark cost will be provided for systems up to 3 kW. For systems above 3 kW and up to 10 kW, a CFA of 40% will be applicable for only the first 3 kW capacity, and for others, it will be 20%. For group housing societies and residential welfare associations, the CFA will be restricted to 20% for common facilities up to 500 kW.

The tender specifies that the bidder should deploy crystalline-based solar PV technology modules for the projects. The bidder should only use indigenously manufactured solar PV panels (both cells and modules manufactured in India). The bidder should also establish a service center in each district.

In December last year, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) invited bids to engage a consultancy firm for demand aggregation and implementation of 1.06 GW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems.

Recently, the Ministry of Power assured stakeholders from the rooftop solar segment that the government will review its gross metering stance for installations over 10 kW capacity. The ministry had previously mandated net metering for loads up to 10 kW and gross metering for loads greater than 10 kW under the Electricity (Rights of Consumer) Rules 2020. The policy was not received well by stakeholders.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, Karnataka distribution companies have so far floated tenders for 73 MW of rooftop solar power projects.