The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IITKGP) is looking to install grid-connected solar energy projects totaling 1,100 kW at its campus.

The institution has issued a tender for the design, manufacture, testing, inspection, forwarding, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the solar projects for five years. After the fifth year, the project would be handed over the institute.

These projects are expected to be installed on car and bike parking areas and the boundaries of parks. Once commissioned, the projects would be connected to a low voltage grid supply.

The system design for the projects has to be approved by IITKGP before its implementation. The estimated cost of construction for the solar project is around ₹69.8 million ($970,000) as per the tender document.

The projects should be completed within 270 days. The earnest money deposit for bidders has been set at ₹1.4 million ($200,000). The pre-bid meeting for the tender will take place on September 17, 2019, and the closing date of the bid is October 16, 2019.

According to the tender documents, IITKGP has already installed a 1,200 kW solar project which was developed on the rooftop of the university.

IITs have been one of the few educational institutes in the country, leading the change towards sustainability.

For instance, in August 2019, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur floated an expression of interest (EoI) for three smart grid field pilots combining renewable sources (solar and biomass) and storage (Lithium-ion and flow batteries). This is part of a project called U.S.-India Collaborative for Smart Distribution System with Storage.

In December 2018, IIT Indore joined the league of green campuses in the country by installing 422 kW solar rooftop power system on its premises. The project was commissioned by BVG India Ltd, an integrated services company.

In May 2018, IIT KGP issued an EoI inviting bids from project developers and contractors to set up a 5.5 MW solar photovoltaic project at its premises.