The Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) has invited bids to empanel vendors to install 50 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar projects under Phase II of the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The last date to submit bids is February 28, 2022.

TSREDCO invited bids under four categories. The rooftop solar capacity under category A is 1 kW to 3 kW. The capacity for the B and C categories is above 3 kW to 10 kW and 10 kW to 100 kW, respectively. The capacity under category D is 100 kW to 500 kW.

The company allocated 20 MW rooftop solar capacity for categories A and B. The minimum bid capacity for categories A and B is 150 kW and a maximum of 5 MW. It allocated 2.5 MW and 7.5 MW for categories C and D, respectively. For category C, the minimum bid capacity is 50 kW and a maximum of 300 kW. The minimum bid capacity for category D is 150 kW and a maximum of 500 kW.

The bidders must submit a bid bond or earnest money deposit based on the bid capacity. The successful bidders must submit a performance bank guarantee of ₹500,000 ($6,643) in the form of a demand draft or ₹1 million ($13,286) as a bank guarantee within 15 days from the date of the issuance of the letter of award.

The scope of work includes identifying rooftops and beneficiaries and signing agreements with consumers at the quoted projected cost, along with clearances from the DISCOMs. It also includes the design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning grid-connected rooftop solar systems under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model.

The successful bidder must commission rooftop solar systems within six months from the issuance of the approval letter or the last date of the project timeline specified by MNRE to TSREDCO, whichever is earlier. After commissioning these projects, the bidder must provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for five years.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders must have installed and commissioned grid-connected rooftop solar projects with a minimum capacity of 200 kW before the techno-commercial bid opening date.

Bidders’ average annual turnover should be ₹50,000 (~$664)/kW of the quoted bid capacity in any one of the last three financial years. Their net worth must be equal to or above the value calculated at ₹50,000 (~$664)/kW of the quoted bid capacity in the last financial year.

TSREDCO said state-registered micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are exempted from the technical and financial eligibility criteria.

Bidders without any prior experience or minimum required experience will not be allowed to quote the lowest price in bids. However, the bidders will be allowed to implement rooftop solar projects, subject to matching the lowest bid price.

According to the tender document, rooftop solar systems of up to 3 kW would qualify for a 40% central financial assistance (CFA). Rooftop systems from 3 kW to 10 kW will get a subsidy of 40% for the first 3 kW and 20% for the remaining capacity. CFA is restricted to 20% for common rooftop solar facilities up to 500 kW for residential welfare associations and group housing societies.

The successful bidder must use ‘Made in India’ solar cells and modules for these projects. Solar modules must have a minimum capacity of 250 W and a minimum efficiency of 16%. Modules should also have a performance warranty of more than 90% in the first ten years and over 80% during the next 15 years.

In 2020, TSREDCO floated an empanelment tender for 1-10 kW capacity of residential rooftop solar projects.

Mercom had earlier reported that TSREDCO issued a tender for 1 – 1,000 kW of grid-connected solar projects installed at multiple government establishments across Telangana.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, TSREDCO has issued tenders for 10.6 MW of rooftop solar capacity to date.