Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan, has invited bids for 1.1 million solar cells with wattages of 4.5W, 4.6W, and 4.67W.

The scope of work includes the supply of 300,000 of 4.5W, 400,000 of 4.6W, and 400,000 of 4.67W multicrystalline silicon solar cells to REIL. The last date for the submission of bids is June 1, 2020.

The cells should be 4 or 5 busbars in length and should be 156 x 156 mm in dimension for 4.5W cells, and 156.75 x 156.75 mm for cells larger than the specified capacities. The 4.6W and 4.67 W solar cells must be five busbars in length. The cells should be 200 μm in thickness with a permitted deviation of nearly 20 μm.

To be eligible to take part in the competitive bidding process, applicants must be solar manufacturers. They must have a minimum annual production capacity of 50 MW for crystalline silicon solar cells. REIL noted that 50% of the tender for each solar cell type was reserved for Indian manufacturers. The tender document further noted that 25% of the tendered capacity is earmarked for MSE (micro and small-scale enterprises) suppliers.

Suppliers who have not previously supplied such cells to REIL must provide a sample of 140 cells of each wattage free of cost for the evaluation before the due date of the tender.

Recently, REIL invited bids for setting up 3.5 MW of solar-projects ranging between 500 kW and 2 MW or more, at various locations and substations of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

Earlier, Mercom reported that REIL invited bids from Indian manufacturers to supply multi-crystalline silicon solar cells. The tender has been floated for 500,000 multi-crystalline solar cells of 4.5W, 500,000 multi-crystalline solar cells of 4.6W, and 300,000 multi-crystalline solar cells of 4.67W.

Earlier, REIL had issued three separate notices inviting tenders for rate contacts for the procurement of 4.5W and 4.6W solar cells along with module mounting structures.