The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has invited bids for empaneling agencies to install 200 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar systems under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model.

The last date to submit bids is October 26, 2021. The project’s estimated cost, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), is around ₹8.5 billion (~$113 million).

The projects will be developed under Phase-II of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) rooftop solar program. MSEDCL is allocated 525 MW of grid-connected residential rooftop solar projects under this phase with central financial assistance (CFA). MNRE has recently announced the benchmark cost for the residential rooftop solar projects.

The scope of work includes the design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop systems. The successful bidder must also provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for rooftop solar systems for five years.

The bidders can take part under five categories – Category A, B, C, D, and Open Category.

To participate in Category A, B, C, and D, bidders should have successfully commissioned at least 100 kW of rooftop solar systems. Bidders must have an annual turnover of ₹10,000 (~$133)/kW of the capacity offered in its bids in any one of the last three financial years. Or bidders’ net worth should be over ₹5,000 (~$67)/kW for capacity offered by bidders.

New entrepreneurs who do not have minimum required prior experience installing grid-connected rooftop solar projects will be considered Open Category bidders. However, they would not be allowed to quote prices during bids. But they will be allowed to implement rooftop solar systems subject to matching the lowest (l1) bid.

In May 2021, MSEDCL invited bids to procure power from 500 MW of interstate or intrastate grid-connected solar projects on a long-term basis.

Last year, MSEDCL invited bids for empaneling agencies to install 25 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems in the state.

Mercom had earlier reported that MSEDCL asked all superintending engineers in its operations and maintenance circles to adhere to the prescribed time limits for approving rooftop installation applications. The engineers are directed to process the rooftop solar applications only through the online portal within the time limit prescribed by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, MSEDCL has issued tenders for 25 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.

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