The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to set up 4.455 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects (Tranche IX) across India under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model.

The scope of work includes obtaining a no-objection certificate from the distribution company (DISCOM) for grid connectivity, and the complete design, engineering, supply, storage, civil works, erection, testing, and commissioning of the rooftop solar projects, including operation and maintenance.

The projects will be installed at the Central Sanskrit University in Bhopal, Thrissur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Puri, Sringeri, Agartala, Bhalwal, Kangra, and Devprayag. The rooftop systems will also be installed at the Regional Passport Office, Bhopal; Visva-Bharati University, Birbhum; the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram; and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bhagalpur.

The last date to submit bids is May 14, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The successful bidder must submit a performance bank guarantee at the rate of ₹3,375 (~$36.22)/kW for Category A projects and ₹3,715 (~$39.87)/kW for Category B Projects. The selected bidder must also pay service charges of ₹1,350 (~$14.49)/kW for Category A Projects and ₹1,485 (~$15.94)/kW for Category B projects.

The earnest money deposit, net worth, and working capital requirements are given below:

Developers should promote only commercially established and operational technologies to minimize technology risk and achieve timely project commissioning.

For Category A, the projects must be commissioned within seven months. For Category B, the projects must be commissioned within nine months.

SECI has set a ceiling tariff of ₹5 (~$0.054)/kWh for this tender.

The solar modules used in the projects should be from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-I, and cells should be from ALMM List-II.

The module mounting structure should be designed to withstand a wind speed of up to 160 km/hour. During execution, the solar module mounting structure should be installed without chipping or damaging the rooftop surface. The solar modules shall be Mono PERC-bifacial type.

Responsibility for obtaining connectivity and the necessary approvals for grid connection and net metering will rest with the developer.

The developer should maintain generation so as to achieve annual energy supply corresponding to Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) within + 10% and – 15% of the declared value till the end of 10 years from the commissioning date, subject to the annual CUF remaining minimum of 15% or 13.5%, and within +10% and -20% of the declared value of the annual CUF thereafter till the end of the power purchase agreement (PPA) term.

If the developer fails to supply the minimum energy corresponding to the declared annual CUF within the permissible lower limit of CUF, the developer will be levied a penalty at 50% of the PPA tariff for the shortfall in energy terms.

In January this year, SECI invited bids to install 5,665 kW rooftop solar projects under the RESCO model on 14 government buildings (Tranche-VIII).

Last year, SECI invited bids to install 3,640 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects spread across 11 government institutions in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Uttarakhand (Tranche IV).

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