Karnataka’s Tumakuru Smart City Limited (TSCL), has invited Request for Proposal (RfP) for 1.86 MW of grid-interactive rooftop solar projects based on RESCO model at various government buildings.

The last date for the submission of bids is November 13, 2019.

The interested bidders will need to pay a sum of ₹800,000 (~$11,269) as earnest money deposit (EMD). The bid validity period is for 180 days.

The estimated cost of the project is ₹81.6 million (~$1.15 million).

The successful bidder is expected to use polycrystalline solar PV technology for the project under the net metering system with associated distribution lines up to the metering point of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM).

In a recent report Karnataka DISCOMs saw the highest number of rating upgrades with four out of five utilities upgraded to ‘A’ or ‘A+’, these were – Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (A+), Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (A+), Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply (A) Corporation Limited, and Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (A).

The scope of work includes the design, procurement, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the project. It also involves the operation and maintenance of the projects on a turnkey basis. The project consists of setting up the solar panels at 27 sites ranging from 10 kW to 500 kW capacity based on the roof space available for the respective site. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will be for 25 years.

According to the tender notice, the successful bidder will also be responsible for the recycling of the power project material after the life period.

The PPA tariff is to be discovered through a reverse bidding process with the benchmark tariff set at the rate of ₹3.07 (~$0.04324)/kWh. The selected bidders will be given eight months from the date of signing of the PPA for the completion of the projects.

Regarding the technical criteria, the successful bidder should have undertaken solar power projects with a minimum installed capacity of 1 MW under the RESCO model previously.

Further, the bidder should have a minimum net worth of ₹16.2 million (~$0.23 million).

Last year, it was reported that Tumakuru had tendered 2.7 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects to be established on the city’s government buildings. The estimated cost of the project was ₹168.9 million (~$2.6 million).

Meanwhile, in August this year, the state of Karnataka emerged as the best state in India for rooftop solar projects. This was revealed in a survey report titled ‘The State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index’ (SARAL). According to the survey report, Karnataka’s score stood at 78.8 and was assigned A++.

Image credit: ReVision Energy