The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd. (RRECL) has issued a tender for the installation of 18 MW of grid‑connected rooftop solar projects across the state. The capacity is being tendered under the Rooftop Solar Power Generation Program 2017-18 and bids are due by December 14, 2017. This latest tender is a revision of a version that was initially released on October 13, 2017.

The projects are set to be developed on a turnkey basis and the total cost of developing all 18 MW is estimated at ₹1.26 billion (~$19.5 million). The successful bidder or bidders must complete project development within nine months from the issuance of the letter of award (LoA).

In the tender, RRECL says that established suppliers may each bid for 1,000 kW, new small or local entrepreneurs may bid for 500 kW, and startup firms may bid for 200 kW.

The scope of work includes the identification of beneficiaries in Rajasthan who are willing to install solar systems on their rooftops, the collection of each beneficiary’s share of the cost after adjusting for financial assistance from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the design and supply of SPV systems with all accessories and equipment, as well as the installation, testing, and commissioning of the project.

Successful bidders will be responsible for project operation and maintenance (O&M) for five years after commissioning and will also provide a warranty against manufacturing defects that includes the supply of spare parts for five years.

RRECL says it will release 80 percent of the total payable capital subsidy to the successful bidder when installation is complete, following the commissioning and verification of the system. The 20 percent balance subsidy is supposed to be released in five equal installments paid annually over the course of five years, equating to 4 percent per year, assuming the submission of satisfactory performance reports that are confirmed by the beneficiary.

The bidder must ensure that any faults are attended to in a timely manner within three days of lodging. If the bidder fails to provide proper maintenance of the systems to the beneficiary within three days of their complaint being lodged, RRECL will charge a fault penalty of ₹20 (~$0.31)/day per kW for the number of days that the complaint is unattended.

In the future, RRECL may increase or decrease the capacity tendered depending on the availability of rooftops and MNRE financial assistance.

Mercom previously reported in November 2017 that empanelment from MNRE is no longer a prerequisite for participating in development tenders for rooftop and small solar projects.

As of the third quarter of 2017, rooftop solar projects totaling 1.3 GW had been commissioned, and within the last 4 months alone more than 200 MW of rooftop solar was added to the grid.

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