The Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA) has issued a tender to empanel vendors to develop 2 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar projects in Sikkim under  Phase-II of the Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The last date to submit online bids is December 8, 2021. Bids will be opened on December 29. The pre-bid meeting will take place on December 7.

Bidders must submit ₹1,500 (~$20)/kW for the quoted capacity as an earnest money deposit.

The bids are invited under six categories. The rooftop solar capacity under Category A is 1 kW. For categories B and C, the capacity is above 1 kW to 2 kW and above 2 kW to 3 kW, respectively. The capacity for categories D, E, and F is 3 kW to 10 kW, 10 kW to 100 kW, and 100 kW to 500 kW, in that order.

For all categories combined, the total allotted capacity is 2 MW, and bidders can apply for a minimum of 200 kW and a maximum of 500 kW under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model.

The scope of work includes identifying rooftops, designing, engineering, manufacturing, supply, storage, erection, testing, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar systems. The successful bidders must also provide comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) services for five years.

The successful bidders must commission the projects within six months from the allocation or 15 months from the MNRE approval, whichever is earlier.

Sikkim’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are exempted from technical and financial eligibility requirements.

For Categories A and B, eligible bidders should have installed and commissioned at least 50 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar capacity. They must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹15,000 (~$199.65)/kW for the quoted capacity in any of the last three financial years. Their net worth should be equal to or more than ₹5,000 kW (~$66.55)/kW for the quoted capacity.

For Categories C, D, E, and F, bidders must have installed and commissioned not less than 100 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar capacity. They should also have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹25,000 (~$332.56)/kW for the quoted capacity in any of the last three financial years. Their net worth should be equal to or more than ₹15,000 (~$199.65)/kW for the quoted capacity.

Rooftop solar installations up to 3 kW will qualify for a 40% subsidy. Installations from 3 kW to 10 kW will get a subsidy of 40% for the first 3 kW and 20% for the remaining capacity. Central financial assistance will be restricted to 20% for common facilities up to 500 kW for group housing societies and residential welfare associations.

Earlier this month, Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited issued a tender to empanel agencies to develop 25 MW of residential rooftop solar systems under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model.

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Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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