Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), a public-sector enterprise operating in the electronics, information technology, and renewable energy segment, has tendered 50 MW of grid-connected rooftop and small solar projects to be developed on government buildings in different states/union territories of India under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model. The bid-submission deadline is January 8, 2018.

Incentives will be provided to developers who are developing projects on government buildings and institutions.

Under this tender, there is a provision that if 80 percent or more of the project is complete well within time, for general category states and union territories, 25 percent of the benchmark cost would be provided to them. However, in the case of special category states and union territories, only 60 percent of the benchmark cost would be provided.

Similarly, if the project is complete by more than 50 percent, the incentives given would fall to 15 percent for the general category states and union territories and 36 percent for the special category states and union territories.

If 40 percent of the project stands complete, then 10 percent of the benchmark cost would be provided for the general category while 24 percent of the benchmark cost would be provided in special category cases.

The size of each project would be above 1 kW. A single project could comprise several rooftop units. The scope of work includes site survey of identified rooftops and surplus lands, identification of new rooftops and lands, solar potential assessment, deciding on project capacities, execution of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), design, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, civil work, erection, testing, and interconnection of projects with the grid for net-metering.

The successful bidders will have to provide Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services for a period of 25 years. This is state-wide bidding. REIL reserves the right to transfer capacities from one state to another with the matching of the L-1 price in the new proposed zone as per the requirements of the project.

Mercom recently reported that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had released a new proposal to overhaul the existing rooftop solar implementation mechanism by making it the responsibility of Distribution Companies (DISCOMs). Under the proposal, DISCOMs would be eligible to receive financial assistance to the tune of ₹234.5 billion (~$3.66 billion) based on their performance in facilitating rooftop solar deployment.

In November 2017, Mercom also reported that the MNRE had discontinued the empanelment of channel partners under the grid-connected rooftop and small solar projects program. MNRE said that from November 23, 2017, empanelment would no longer be required to participate in development tenders for rooftop and small solar projects.

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