The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to set up 1,750 kW grid-connected rooftop solar projects for various institutions in five states.

These projects will be set in Meghalaya, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and New Delhi under the renewable energy service company model on a build-own-operate basis.

Bids must be submitted by February 28, 2025. Bids will be opened on March 5, 2025.

The projects will be distributed across the following locations:

• National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya (zone IV)- 800 kW with a maximum tariff of ₹5.15 (~$0.059)/kWh
• National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) Chandigarh (zone III)- 150 kW with a maximum tariff of ₹4.66 (~$0.053)/kWh
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai (zone III)- 450 kW with a maximum tariff of ₹4.50 (~$0.052)/kWh
• North-Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) Guwahati (zone IV)- 250 kW with a maximum tariff of ₹ 5.00 (~$0.057)/kWh
• Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) New Delhi (zone III)- 100 kW with a maximum tariff of ₹ 5.15 (~$0.059)/kWh

The scope of work includes design, engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of the systems, along with operation and maintenance.

Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit ranging from ₹90,000 (~$1,041.91) for ICSSR New Delhi to ₹792,000 (~$9,168.79) for NIT Meghalaya with a performance bank guarantee of ₹3,375 (~$40.65)/kW for zone III and ₹3,713 (~$44.74) for zone.

Additional service charges are ₹1,350 (~$16.27)/kW for zone III and ₹1,485 (~$17.89)/kW for zone IV plus 18% GST. The bid processing fee is ₹6,000 (~$72.29) inclusive of GST.

 

The projects must use half-cut Mono passivated emitter and rear contact cell modules with a minimum capacity of 500 Wp and at least 20% efficiency. Inverters must ensure a 50 Hz output frequency and maintain total harmonic distortion below 3%.

Bidders must have an annual turnover ranging from ₹900,000 (~$10,843.37) to ₹7.92 million (~$95,324) as of the last date of the previous financial year 2023-24 or as of the day at least seven days before the bid submission deadline.

Commissioning deadlines are set at nine months for zone III locations (Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi) and 12 months for zone IV locations (Meghalaya, Assam), with a maximum allowable delay of six months.

Selected bidders must meet annual capacity utilization factor targets of 15% for zone III and 13.5% for zone IV. Liquidated damages will also apply for unmet energy supply targets, calculated at 50% of the tariff.

Each project involves a 25-year power purchase agreement, during which the developer is responsible for installation and operation. Developers are required to obtain net-metering approvals within 90 days of signing the agreement and bear all costs related to interconnection with the grid.

All equipment must adhere to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.

Recently, SECI, on behalf of Singareni Collieries Company, invited bids to develop a 10 MW floating solar project in Singareni Thermal Power Plant, Telangana.

In December 2024, SECI invited bids to establish a 125 MW/500 MWh standalone battery energy storage system in Kerala with viability gap funding under tariff-based global competitive bidding. The project will be implemented under the built-own-operate model.