Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has invited bids to empanel agencies to identify rooftops, design, install, and commission 5 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar systems of various capacities in Giridih city of Jharkhand.

The tender is under Phase I of JREDA’s ‘Solar City Program’ for Giridih city for 17 MW rooftop solar projects to help cater to the electricity demands of the domestic consumers.

The successful bidder will also have to take care of the operation and maintenance activities of the project for five years.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹210 million (~$2.75 million).

The last date to submit the bids is March 30, 2022. Bids will be opened on April 1.

The time period for the commissioning of the projects has been set as 12 months from the date of the letter of allocation.

The bidding process comprises of three parts:

• Under Part A (1 kW to 3 kW), the aggregate capacity is 3,000 kW. The bidder can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 200 kW and a maximum of 1,000 kW
• Under Part B (Above 3 kW to 10 kW), the combined capacity is 1,500 kW. The bidder can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 200 kW and a maximum of 500 kW
• Under Part C (Above 10 kW), the total capacity is 500 kW. The bidder can apply for a minimum aggregate capacity of 200 kW and a maximum of 500kW

JREDA has planned to implement 17 MW of rooftop solar projects in three phases. Phase I would consist of rooftop projects of 5 MW capacity; Phase II would have another 5 MW capacity, and Phase III, the remaining 7 MW capacity.

The nodal agency will implement Phase II and Phase III in later phases.

Financial eligibility

The bidder should have a minimum average annual turnover of 30% of the bid capacity during the last three financial years to participate in the bidding process under Part A, B, and C.

Alternatively, the bidder should have a positive net worth on the last day of the previous financial year.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) bidders are exempted from the financial eligibility requirements.

Bank guarantee

Interested bidders will have to submit an amount equivalent to ₹100,000 (~$1,309) for the lot size of 100 kW as an earnest money deposit.

The successful bidder will have to submit an amount equivalent to 5% of the allotted work order value as a performance bank guarantee. Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) bidders will have to submit an amount equivalent to 2.5% of the allotted work order value as a performance bank guarantee.

Central and state subsidy

The MNRE will provide central financial assistance (CFA) up to 40 % for rooftop systems up to 3 kW capacity. For rooftop systems of capacity above 3 kW and up to 10 kW, the CFA of 40% would be applicable only for the first 3 kW capacity, and for capacity above 3 kW, the CFA would be limited to 20%.

For group housing societies or residential welfare associations, CFA will be limited to 20% for installing the rooftop system to supply power to common facilities. The capacity eligible for CFA will be limited to 10 kW per house.

The state will provide an additional subsidy of 60% to consumers with income below ₹300,000 (~$3,929)/year and 30% for other consumers.

The bidder must quote the price for the solar systems based on the benchmark cost provided by MNRE.

In case of a delay in installation or commissioning of the system, the agency will be charged a penalty at 0.5% per week or part thereof plus applicable GST on the total system cost subject to a maximum of 10% of total system cost plus applicable GST, levied by JREDA.

The modules to be used for the project should be made in India. Also, the total solar array capacity should not be less than the allocated capacity and should comprise of solar crystalline modules of a minimum of 300 W and above wattage.

Last August, JREDA invited bids for the design, manufacture, testing, installation, and commissioning of 6 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects on government buildings in the state.

Earlier, JREDA had issued a tender for the rate contract, including design, supply, installation, and commissioning of 1.5 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems on government buildings in Jharkhand.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, Jharkhand has issued tenders for 108 MW capacity of rooftop solar systems to date.