The Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a public sector enterprise, has floated a tender for 3 MW of multicrystalline solar modules.

Each of these modules must be rated for a minimum of 325 Watts peak (Wp) with 72 cells. The bidder will be responsible for the design, manufacture, assembly, testing, and supply of solar PV modules.

The locations of the project will be at different substations in various districts of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The last date for the submission of bids is March 5, 2020. Interested bidders are expected to pay a sum of ₹100,000 (~$13,803) as the earnest money deposit (EMD).

According to CEL, the prospective bidder must have the latest and valid test certificates for the multicrystalline solar modules as per the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or the Indian Standard (IS).

All solar PV modules proposed to be supplied must be manufactured and assembled in the same factory. If the manufacturing and assembling of the modules are done in more than one factory, then the bidder is expected to provide all the required documents related to solar PV module manufacturing facilities. All solar PV modules must contain crystalline silicon and should have a positive power tolerance. The efficiency of the solar PV modules should be a minimum of 16%, and the fill factor should be more than 75%.

Further, these modules should be supplied with a suitable aluminum frame. Solar PV modules must be warranted for output wattage, which should not be less than 90% at the end of 10 years and 80% at the end of 25 years.

The solar PV module must be free of potential induced degradation (PID). The CEL also states that each PV module used in any solar power project must use a radio-frequency identification tag.

In February 2020, Mercom reported that CEL announced the auction results for its 44 MW solar tender at substations across Maharashtra.

Then in December last year, CEL had invited bids to install solar-based small projects with capacities ranging between 0.25 MW to 10 MW on the open, unused lands in the premises of existing substations of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.