The Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL) has invited bids for the empanelment of bidders to install approximately 1 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects in the residential sector across various locations in Bihar. The solar PV modules and inverters will be supplied by REIL at the site.

The duration of empanelment will be for one year from the date of issuing the letter of acceptance for executing the installations. The time given for the commissioning of the systems is three months from the date of payment of the project cost.

As per the tender document, central finance assistance (CFA) of 40% will be provided for projects up to 3 kW, whereas, for projects between 3 kW-10 kW, a CFA of 40% would be applicable for the first 3 kW, and 20% for the rest. A CFA of 20% will be given for group housing societies and residential welfare associations for the installation of rooftop projects up to 500 kW. However, it will be limited to 10 kW per house.

Bihar also provides State Financial Assistance of 25% of the lowest price discovered in the empanelment bid for all categories.

The contract will also include comprehensive maintenance for five years. The projects will be implemented under the second phase of the Grid-Connected Solar Program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).  In August last year, MNRE had issued operational guidelines to implement the second phase of its grid-connected rooftop solar program. Overall, 22 GW of rooftop solar projects is to be set up under the second phase of this program.

The last date for the submission of bids is July 08, 2020, and the opening of technical bids will take place on July 09, 2020. Interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹250,000 (~$3,311) as the earnest money deposit (EMD).

The scope of work includes the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and comprehensive maintenance of the rooftop solar system for five years after its commissioning. The supply and installation of solar meters will be the responsibility of the bidder.

The bidder should have installed and commissioned off-grid or grid-connected solar power projects having a total capacity of at least 20 kW in the last two financial years. The solar PV modules and inverters will be supplied by REIL at the site.

Regarding the financial criteria, the minimum average annual turnover of the bidder in the last two financial years should be at least ₹1 million (~$13,244). The bidder should have a positive net worth during the last two financial years.

In March 2020, Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency invited bids for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 7 MW grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects. The projects will be developed under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model on various government buildings in Bihar.

Earlier this year, the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited floated a tender for 5 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects across the state for the residential sector.