The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has floated a tender for 11 MW of rooftop solar systems at its stations, depots, and other buildings in the Delhi-Meerut Corridor.

Bidders are not required to make an earnest money deposit to partake in the tender. The last date for submitting bids is April 8, 2021.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, supply, erection of required structures, testing, and commissioning the 11 MW rooftop solar systems under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model. The selected bidder must provide comprehensive operations and maintenance services for 25 years at the specified locations.

Bidders must also make arrangements for net metering facilities and grid connectivity of the rooftop solar photovoltaic system as per the guidelines of the NCRTC, the Central Electricity Authority, the state electricity regulatory commission, or the respective distribution company. The project’s minimum capacity utilization factor must be maintained at 14% for 25 years – the duration of the power purchase agreement.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have executed similar work for a cumulative 10 MW of grid-connected solar projects and 1 MW of rooftop solar projects in the last ten years. The work must have included comprehensive operations and maintenance services under the RESCO model. The projects must have been operational for at least the last three years.

Bidders must have had a minimum average annual turnover of at least ₹198 million (~$2.7 million) in the last five years. They must also have liquid assets, lines of credit, and other finances to meet cash flow requirements of at least ₹25 million (~$342,208).

NCRTC is a joint venture company of the Government of India and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is mandated with the implementation of the Regional Rapid Transit System project across the National Capital Region to ensure a balanced and sustainable urban development through better connectivity and access.

Recently, Mercom reported that distribution companies in Delhi had installed 3,140 rooftop solar systems with a connected load of 106 MW in the national capital. These systems have helped save ₹680 million ($9.35 million) annually.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, 128 MW of rooftop solar power projects have been floated in Delhi as of January 2021. As of December 2020, Delhi’s installed rooftop solar capacity stood at 167 MW per Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker.