The Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) has floated a tender to empanel developers for 10 MW of residential grid-connected solar rooftop projects in the state under the second phase of the rooftop solar program.

Interested bidders are expected to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹100,000 (~$1,345)/MW of capacity quoted. The last date for the submission of bids is November 30, 2020. The empanelment will last for one year.

The scope of work for empaneled developers includes the design, testing, supply, installation, and commissioning of the projects. Selected bidders are expected to sign a comprehensive maintenance contract for five years.

The MePDCL specified that the solar photovoltaic modules and cells must be made in India. Bidders are expected to provide a detailed claim letter certifying that these components of the system are made in India and their technical specifications.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have experience undertaking similar work for at least 100 kW of such projects cumulatively. General category bidders can place bids for projects ranging from 250 kW to 2 MW in generation capacity.

General category bidders are expected to have had a minimum average annual turnover of at least ₹10,000 (~$135)/kW, while micro, small, medium enterprises (MSME) bidders are expected to have an average annual turnover of at least ₹5,000 (~$67)/kW over the last three financial years.

These projects will be eligible for central financial assistance (CFA) under the second phase of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) rooftop solar program. Residential sector installations up to 3 kW will receive CFA of 40% of the benchmark cost; installations over 3 kW and below 10 kW will receive 40% CFA for the first 3 kW and 20% for the rest. No subsidies will be provided for installations over 10 kW.

Group housing societies (GHS) and residential welfare associations (RWA) are also eligible for CFA up to 20%. However, the subsidies are subject to a limit of 10 kW per house up to 500 kW. The cumulative figure will also include individual households that have already installed rooftop solar systems.

Recently, the northeastern state floated an expression of interest for installing 10 MW of solar projects under component A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM–KUSUM) program.

Mercom has started a series of articles to demystify the rooftop solar segment. The articles answer some key questions about identifying your requirements, how much money solar can save for you, and how much these systems cost. Check out the first, second, and third articles in the series.

Image credit: Photo by Kevin Martin Jose on Unsplash