The Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) has tendered 50 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects to be developed across the state. The bid-submission deadline is January 30, 2018.

The bidder must be a system integrator, project developer, RESCO company or a body incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 or 2013. A single bidder must bid to develop a minimum of 5 MW grid-connected rooftop solar project. The size of each project will be in the range of 1 kW to 500 kW.

In the last week of 2017, Haryana also came up with new guidelines for the installation of rooftop solar projects in the state. Under the new guidelines, rooftop solar systems for residential, institutional, and social sectors will all be eligible for Central Financial Assistance (CFA). The guidelines apply to all rooftop solar projects with capacities ranging from 1 kW to 500 kW.

HAREDA has asked the bidders to ensure that the indigenous photovoltaic (PV) modules meet the latest specification cited by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The modules will have to be tested and approved by one of the approved test centers of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The inverters to be used in the project should also be tested from an MNRE approved test center.

The projects will be developed on turnkey basis, and scope of work includes design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar projects. Successful bidder will be responsible for the project maintenance for a period of five years. The bidder will also be required to supply and install solar generation and bi-directional meters at the project sites.

The estimated project cost is ₹3 billion (~$47.2 million) and the successful bidders will be responsible for opening at least one service center in Haryana. The project completion time-frame is 120 days from the date of award of contract. The successful bidder/s will provide five years’ system warranty.

The HAREDA is trying to increase the share of solar in the state’s energy mix. In June 2017, HAREDA had planned to tender 30 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar which have been brought to fruition with this 50 MW tender. Recently, HAREDA also tendered over 1 MW of off-grid solar projects for health centers across the state.

According to MNRE, the rooftop solar projects installed capacity in the State of Haryana was 74 MW as of September 2017.

Image credit: RattanIndia