The SBI Infra Management Solutions Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the State Bank of India, has invited an expression of interest (EoI) for the empanelment of contractors to install solar systems under CAPEX or OPEX models.

The solar systems will be installed for the offices in the SBI Hyderabad circle and will have a net metering arrangement.

The contracts under this tender are of two types: One is for the empanelment of the solar projects within the capacity ranging between 1 kW and 100 kW, and the other is for capacities between 100 kW and 200 kW.

The scope of work includes the supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the rooftop solar projects on the SBI offices.

The last date for the submission of bids is January 21, 2020. Interested bidders must pay a sum of ₹10,000 (~$140.28) as the earnest money deposit (EMD).

According to the tender document, the interested bidders should have executed empanelment work in the past seven years and should have an office in Telangana.

The average annual financial turnover of the bidder during the last three years should be ₹1.1million (~$15,980) for the empanelment up to 0-100 kW systems and ₹2.3 million (~$31,960) for capacities between 0-200 kW.  The bidder should have had the experience of installing solar power projects either under CAPEX or OPEX under a net-metering arrangement for commercial buildings, hospitals, and government buildings.

For the empanelment of projects up to 100 kW, a bidder should have completed three similar projects of at least 40% of the project capacity. Or, the bidder should have completed two similar assignments of at least 50% of the project or one of not less than 80% of the capacity.

For the empanelment of projects up to 200 kW, the interested bidder should have completed three similar work of at least 40% of the capacity or two similar assignments, not less 50% or one costing at least 80% of the project.

According to the SBI, the prospective bidder should be an indigenous manufacturer of solar photovoltaic systems or an experienced contractor in the field of solar PV projects.

Previously, SBI had invited expression of interest for the procurement of 3-5 MW (offsite) of solar power for its premises in Telangana.

The Bank of Baroda had also floated a tender for the supply of solar power to its branches from off-grid rooftop solar power systems based on the OPEX model. The solar panels utilized in the project were to have a capacity of at least 5.75 kW; the aggregate capacity of this tender was 2.9 MW.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.