Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has invited bids to empanel vendors to install 15 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar systems under the Phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The systems will be installed in the jurisdiction of CESC, Mysuru in Karnataka.

 The last date to submit bids is January 29, 2022. Bids will be opened on February 3. The pre-bid meeting will take place on January 25.

The company invited bids under four categories. The rooftop solar capacity under Category A is 1 kW to 3 kW. For categories B and C, the capacity is above 3 kW to 10 kW and above 10 kW to 100 kW, respectively. The capacity for category D is 100 kW to 500 kW.

For category A, bidders must provide ₹3.75 million (~$50,351) as an earnest money deposit. For categories B and C, the EMD amount is ₹1.5 million (~$20,140) and ₹1.14 million (~$15,306), respectively. Bidders of category D should submit an EMD of ₹538,000 (~$7,223).

CESC has allocated 8 MW of rooftop capacity for category A, 3 MW for category B, 2 MW for category C, and 1 MW for category D. For category A, the minimum bid capacity is 1 MW, and for other categories, the minimum bid capacity is 500 kW.

The scope of work includes the design, supply, erection, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar systems under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model. After successfully commissioning these systems, the bidder must also provide five years’ comprehensive operation and maintenance services.

CESC said the bidder should quote the price for system capacities through reverse bidding based on the benchmark cost provided by MNRE.

To participate in the competitive bidding process for categories A and B, bidders must have installed and commissioned a minimum of 1 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects before the bid opening date. Their average annual turnover should be ₹15 million (~$201,488)/MW of the bid capacity in any one of the last three financial years. Alternatively, their net worth should be equal to or higher than the value calculated at ₹15 million (~$201,488)/MW of the offered capacity by bidders in their bids.

For categories C and D, bidders must have commissioned a total of 500 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar capacity before the bid opening date. Their average annual turnover should be ₹10 million (~$134,313)/MW of the bid capacity in any one of the last three financial years. Alternatively, their net worth must be equal to or higher than the value calculated at ₹10 million (~$134,313)/MW of the offered capacity by bidders in their bids.

CESC said rooftop solar installations of up to 3 kW would qualify for a 40% subsidy. Installations from 3 kW to 10 kW will get a subsidy of 40% for the first 3 kW and 20% for the remaining capacity. Central financial assistance (CFA) will be restricted to 20% for common facilities up to 500 kW for group housing societies and residential welfare associations.

In June 2021, CESC invited an expression of interest to empanel vendors to install 10 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems.