The Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has invited bids to empanel agencies to develop 25 MW of residential rooftop solar power projects under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model.

Under the RESCO model, the developer owns the solar project, and the consumer only has to pay for the energy generated.

The power will be procured by JBVNL on a long-term basis under the gross metering arrangement through a competitive bidding process. The state electricity regulator had determined the generic tariff for the consumers of JBVNL who want to supply electricity to their utility under the gross metering program at ₹4.16 ($0.055)/kWh. This generic tariff of ₹4.16 ($0.055)/kWh will be treated as the upper ceiling tariff for this bid.

The last date to submit the bids online is May 12, 2021. Bids will be opened on May 13. The pre-bid meeting will take place on April 22, 2021.

Bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹200,000 (~$2,665)/MW for the bid capacity as the earnest money deposit.

The bids are invited in two categories:

• Category Part A: To develop solar power projects in the range of 1kW to 3 kW.
• Category Part B: To develop solar power projects in the range of 3 kW to 500 kW.

The total capacity available for Category Part A is 15 MW, and the total capacity available for Category Part B is 10 MW.

The proposed capacities will be developed at premises of domestic consumers connected with feeders within the catchment area of JBVNL.

A bidder can bid for a minimum capacity of 500 kW and a maximum capacity of 3 MW. The contracted capacity utilization factor (CUF) should be a minimum of 15%.

The bidder should have commissioned grid-connected rooftop solar projects with an aggregate capacity of 50% of the developer’s bid capacity under the net metering or gross metering arrangement.

The bidder’s minimum average annual turnover should be at least ₹15 million (~$199,903)/MW for the last three financial years. For the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Jharkhand, the average annual turnover should be at least ₹5 million (~$66,634)/MW for the last three financial years. The average annual turnover should be at least ₹2.5 million (~$33,317)/MW for the last three financial years for startups.

The general bidder’s net worth should be at least ₹10 million (~$133,268)/MW derived from the last three financial years. Similarly, for MSMEs, the net worth should be ₹5 million (~$66,634)/MW, and for startups, the net worth should be positive.

Rooftop solar installations up to 3 kW will qualify for a subsidy of 40%.  Installations above 3 kW and up to 10 kW will get a subsidy of 40% for the first 3 kW and 20% for the remaining capacity. For group housing societies and residential welfare associations, the central financial assistance (CFA) will be restricted to 20% for common facilities up to 500 kW.

Recently, the Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency invited bids for the rate contract for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of 7 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems on government buildings in Jharkhand.

Earlier, JBVNL had floated a tender for agencies’ empanelment to install grid-connected rooftop solar PV power projects of various capacities anywhere in the state. The total capacity of the rooftop projects was 10 MW for residential consumers only.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker,  54.8 MW of rooftop solar tenders have been floated in the state of Jharkhand.