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Puducherry initiates rooftop solar bidding for 150,000 homes

2024-02-12

The Puducherry Electricity Department has issued an invitation for bids to establish rates for the design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning, inclusive of warranty, operation, and maintenance, for grid-connected rooftop solar power projects of varying capacities on residential buildings.

The government of Puducherry aims to implement rooftop solar modules on 50,000 households annually, reaching a total of 150,000 households by December 2026. This endeavour intends to achieve a combined capacity of 225 MW over three years, commencing in April 2024.

The deadline for bid submissions is February 19, 2024, with bid opening scheduled for the following day.

The projects are categorised into different sizes: Part A (1 KW), Part B (2 KW), Part C (3 KW), Part D (above 3 KW to 10 KW), and Part E (common facilities in Resident Welfare Associations/Group Housing Societies up to 500 KW).

For individual household projects ranging from 1 to 3 kW, central financial assistance is set at Rs 18,000 ($216) per kW. Projects above 3 to 10 kW will receive Rs 9,000 ($108) per kW. RWA and GHS projects up to 500 kW are also eligible for Rs 9,000 (~$108) per kW.

Bidders are required to have experience in designing, supplying, installing, and commissioning grid-connected solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of at least 50 kW. Additionally, they must demonstrate an annual turnover of Rs 500,000 (~$6,024) in any of the last three financial years or possess a net worth of at least Rs 1.2 million (~$14,459). Local micro, small, and medium enterprises are exempt from financial eligibility requirements.

The rate proposed by the lowest bidder will serve as the benchmark cost for rooftop solar in residential buildings until March 31, 2026.

Only modules from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?s Approved List for Models and Manufacturers are acceptable.

Solar modules used must have a minimum capacity of 500 Wp and should be warranted for their output peak watt capacity, which must not fall below 90% at the end of 12 years and 80% at the end of 30 years.

In a broader context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a new initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana, outlining plans to install rooftop solar systems on 10 million households across India.