The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited expressions of interest (EoI) for the supply of 1,800 MW (DC) of solar modules (including cells manufactured in India) under the domestic content requirement (DCR) category.

SECI is in the process of executing projects with a capacity of 1,200 MW under the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) program II (Tranche III). The nodal agency plans to procure the modules for the projects directly from the manufacturers. SECI has invited EoI from solar cell and module manufacturers to supply modules to assess the availability and commercial parameters.

The last date to submit the bids is January 21, 2022.

The modules should be delivered in the financial year (FY) 2023-24.

In the event of delay in agreed contractual delivery as per the purchase order, a penalty of 0.5 % per week, subject to a maximum of 10% of the value of the undelivered quantity, will be applicable.

The EoI is for the supply of multicrystalline or monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) or thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar modules. The modules and cells should be manufactured in India.

SECI has stated that solar modules should be included in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The efficiency of the modules should be ≥ 19.5% for mono PERC, ≥ 17.4% for thin-film CdTe, and ≥ 17% for multicrystalline.

For crystalline silicon modules, the glass panel should have a transmittance of above 90%, and the minimum thickness of the glass should be 3.2 mm.

The glass should have a minimum thickness of 2mm on each side for thin-film modules.

The backsheet should have a three-layered structure durable for hot and humid conditions with moisture barrier, elongation retention, and UV resistance for crystalline silicon glass or polymer modules.

The module frame should be made of anodized aluminum. It must have provision for earthing to connect it to the earthing grid. The anodization thickness should not be less than 15 microns.

SECI has stated that the solar modules must be warranted with a linear degradation rate of power output except for the first year (maximum 3%) and should guarantee 80% of the initial rated power output at the end of 25 years. The modules should have a warranty of 10 years against all material and manufacturing defects.

In June this year, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had extended the commissioning for solar projects under Tranche-III of the CPSU program Phase-II to 30 months from 24 months after the letter of award is issued.

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