The Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI) has issued Request for Selection (RfS)  for the implementation of 97.5 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects for government buildings in different states and union territories under CAPEX or RESCO model under global competitive bidding.

The total capacity of 97.5 MW is divided into three categories. This RfS is for one of the three tenders SECI issued recently.

The first category is for 10 MW comprising of CAPEX Model (Part-A), the second is 85 MW consisting of RESCO Model (Part-B), and third is 2.5 MW comprising of CAPEX Model (Part-C).

Under Part-A, a bidder can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 100 kW and the maximum aggregate capacity of 1 MW. Under Part-B, a bidder can apply for the minimum aggregate bid capacity of 1 MW and a maximum aggregate bid capacity of 10 MW. Any bidder eligible for participation in either Part–A or Part-B, is not allowed to participate in Part- C.

The bidding will be split into two categories – General State category and Special State category. There will be only one price for all the bidders in CAPEX Model (and for RESCO Model).

The size of each project will be in the range from above 1 kW to 500 kW under Part-A, Part-B and 1 kW to 25 kW for Part-C.

The brief scope of work includes Identification and site survey of rooftops, site visit, solar potential assessment, finalization of feasibility report for Identified locations, design, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, erection, testing, commissioning, submission of project proposals, and ensuring net metering as per the state/ UT policies.

The successful bidder will have to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) for a period of 5 years under Part-A and Part-C, for a period of 25 years and under Part-B after commissioning of the project.

The minimum percentage of local content required for solar PV modules is 100 percent and for Balance of System apart from civil works is 40 percent.

The last date for the submission of bid is March 27, 2019. The techno-commercial bid will open on March 28, 2019.

The ceiling tariff for general category states and union territories is ₹3.50($0.049)/kWh and for special category states and Islands is ₹3.50($0.049)/kWh.

The incentive from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will be available for buildings of both Central and State Government, local government covering all government offices, government Institutions, and Public Sector Undertakings.

According to Mercom India Research’s newly released Q4 & Annual 2018 India Solar Market Update, rooftop installations in 2018 totaled 1,655 MW a robust 66 percent year-over-year growth. Cumulative rooftop solar installations have reached 3,260 MW and still only make up 12 percent of the total solar installations in the country.