The Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) has issued a request for proposal (RfP) to select contractors for grid-connected and off-grid rooftop solar projects within the state. The off-grid installations will include battery storage.

The scope of work for the 25 MW of projects at various locations with and without battery energy storage involves the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the projects. Bidders are also expected to provide insurance, warranty, spare parts, and the operation and maintenance of the projects.

The last date for submission of bids is February 24, 2020. Bidders have to pay bid security ranging between ₹500,000 (~$7,008) and ₹1.7 million (~$23,829) depending on the type of installation and capacity chosen.

To be eligible to take part in the competitive bidding process, the MPUVNL has provided technical and financial criteria to be met. For off-grid projects with battery storage ranging between 250 W and 10 kW capacity, applicants must have installed projects of cumulative capacity ranging between 1 kW and 25 kW, respectively.

Financial eligibility criteria stated that bidders for 250 W must have a net worth of ₹5 million (~$70,086) and an annual turnover of ₹10 million (~$140,173). Bidders for 10 kW are expected to have a net worth of ₹10 million (~$140,173) and an annual turnover of ₹20 million (~$280,347).

For grid-connected projects ranging between 1 kW and 50 kW, indicated capacity ranged between 1 MW and 2.8 MW. Financial eligibility criteria stated that the net worth of companies must range between ₹5 million (~$70,086) and ₹14 million (~$196,243) for these projects.

A few months ago, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), floated a tender for 7.2 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects. The solar systems will be installed under CAPEX (capital expenditure) model in the Mandideep area, around 25 km from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh’s capital city.

Then in October 2019, Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL), in partnership with the MP Industrial Development Corporation, had reissued its tender for 28 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems.  The project called for the sale of solar power under the RESCO model for the industries located at Mandideep.

The state of Madhya Pradesh currently has an installed rooftop solar capacity of  49.41 MW (as of December 2019), according to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker.