The Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has floated a tender for the empanelment of agencies to install grid-connected rooftop solar PV power projects of various capacities anywhere in the state. The total capacity of the rooftop solar PV projects will be 10 MW for residential consumers only.

The scope of work entails the empanelment of agencies for the design, manufacture, testing, supply, installation, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar PV power projects in the state. The scope of work will also include five years of comprehensive maintenance contract (CMC) on a turnkey basis for residential electricity consumers in market mode anywhere in the state of Jharkhand.

The estimated cost of the project is ₹540 million (~$7.5 million), and the period of empanelment is for 12 months. The last date for the submission of bids is January 23, 2020, and a pre-bid meeting will take place on January 10, 2020.

The interested bidders will have to submit ₹500,000 (~$6955)/MW as the earnest money deposit (EMD) and are required to submit different EMDs for different parts.

The bidders can apply in three categories under the CAPEX model:

• Part A (1-3 kW): The total aggregate capacity for this category is 4 MW, and the bidders can apply for a minimum of 50 kW and a maximum aggregate capacity of 500 kW.
• Part B (3 kW-10 kW): The total aggregate capacity for this category is 4 MW, and the bidders can apply for a minimum of 50 kW and a maximum aggregate capacity of 500 kW.
• Part C (10 kW-100 kW): The total aggregate capacity for this category is 2 MW, and the bidders can apply for a minimum of 100 kW and a maximum of 500 kW.

As far as the technical criteria for general bidders under Part C (10-100 kW) and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Jharkhand are concerned, the bidder should have installed and commissioned solar PV projects of at least 50 kW.

For general bidders under category Part A and B, as well as MSMEs, the bidder should have installed and commissioned solar PV projects of at least 20 kW.

Finally, the general bidders for Part A (1-3 kW), Part B (3-10 kW), and Part C (10-100 kW) should have a minimum average financial turnover of ₹15 million (~$208,640)/MW for the last three financial years. For MSMEs of Jharkhand, the average annual turnover should be ₹5/MW million (~$69,546) for the last three financial years.

According to the tender document, the general bidders for Part A, B, and C should have a positive net worth of minimum ₹10 million (~$139,094)/MW for the last three financial years ending on March 31, 2019, and for MSMEs, the net worth should be a minimum of ₹5 million (~$69,547)/MW  for the last three financial years.

Currently, Jharkhand is one of the least developed states in terms of solar installations. According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, the state has just 9 MW of large-scale projects with no projects in the pipeline. On the other hand, the state has so far installed 19.35 MW of rooftop solar systems.

Recently, the state also issued a tender for 15 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects on government buildings anywhere in the state. The state agency stated that the projects could be of various capacities, subject to an increase or decrease in the actual requirement at the time of placing the order and availability of resources.

Last year, Mercom had reported that the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) had approved the procurement of 10 MW of solar power by JBVNL from the Solar Energy Corporation of India.