Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) has invited bids to empanel vendors to develop 20 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar systems in Jammu and Kashmir under Phase-II of the Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The last date to submit online bids is January 3, 2022. Price bids will be opened on January 7. The pre-bid meeting will take place on December 13, 2021.

Bidders must furnish ₹2 million (~$26,554) as an earnest money deposit (EMD).

The company invited bids under six categories. The rooftop solar capacity under Category A is 1 kW. For categories B and C, the capacity is above 1 kW to 2 kW and above 2 kW to 3 kW, respectively. The capacity for categories D, E, and F is 3 kW to 10 kW, 10 kW to 100 kW, and 100 kW to 500 kW, respectively.

The scope of work includes identifying rooftops, designing, engineering, manufacturing, supply, storage, erection, testing, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar systems under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model.

Vendors who have quoted the lowest bid (L1) in any category would get the first preference to decide the capacity of work they would be executing. It would distribute the remaining 10 MW capacity among the other vendors on first-cum-first serve basis.

The successful bidders should commission the projects within six months from the allocation or 15 months from the MNRE approval, whichever is earlier.

After commissioning these projects, the successful bidders must also provide comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) services for five years. They must also furnish the performance bank guarantee of 5% for O&M based on the installed capacity.

Jammu and Kashmir’s small, micro, and medium enterprises (MSEs) are exempted from technical eligibility requirements. However, they must have a minimum annual average turnover of ₹10 million (~$132,771) in the last three financial years.

For MSMEs registered outside of Jammu and Kashmir, bidders must have installed and commissioned at least 500 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects under the MNRE-sponsored programs. MSMEs must also have a minimum annual average turnover of ₹50 million (~$664,231) in the last three financial years.

General bidders must have installed and commissioned at least 1 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects under the MNRE-sponsored programs. In the last three financial years, their minimum annual average turnover should be ₹100 million (~$1.32 million).

Local bidders of Jammu and Kashmir, who do not have prior experience or do not have the minimum required experience in grid-connected solar installation in the name of their firm but are involved in rooftop solar installation through other companies, can also participate. They would be empaneled and allowed to implement projects subject to their matching L1 price.

MNRE has notified the benchmark cost for various capacities of rooftop solar projects for the financial year 2021-22, as mentioned in the table below.

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

Last month, JAKEDA issued bids for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of 12 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects under the CAPEX model on government buildings in the Jammu region.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, JAKEDA has issued tenders for 54.8 MW of rooftop solar capacity to date.

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

More articles from Harsh Shukla.