SJVN Limited has released a Request for Selection (RfS) inviting bids from Solar Rooftop Power Developers to set up rooftop solar power systems with a total capacity of 4,790 kilowatts. These grid-connected solar PV projects will not have battery storage and will be installed on government buildings across several states and union territories in India. The locations include Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

These projects will be implemented under the RESCO or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model. The selection of developers will be done using a tariff-based competitive bidding process. This initiative falls under the “PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana,” a government program aimed at promoting the use of solar energy.

SJVN, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, has been given the responsibility of facilitating these rooftop solar installations. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has chosen SJVN as the Scheme Implementation Partner (SIP) for installing solar systems on Union Government buildings. This includes not only the main offices of different ministries and departments but also their autonomous bodies, subordinate offices, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

This particular RfS is focused on buildings connected with several key ministries. These include the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Bidders who participate in this tender can benefit from various government incentives such as Accelerated Depreciation, Concessional Customs and Excise Duties, and Tax Holidays. However, SJVN has clarified that whether or not a bidder can claim these benefits will not impact how the bids are compared or the final tariffs applied. Importantly, no Central Government Financial Assistance will be provided for these projects, so developers must plan their finances accordingly.

The bidding process will be done online through an e-tender system and will follow a single-stage, two-envelope format. This means bidders must submit both a technical bid and a financial bid. The process begins on May 7, 2025. A pre-bid meeting will be held on May 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM. The last date for submitting online bids is May 28, 2025, by 1:00 PM. The hard copies of documents must be submitted by June 7, 2025, by 6:00 PM. The technical bids will be opened on May 28, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Bids will remain valid for 12 months from the last date of online submission.

To participate, bidders must pay an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 1,100 per kilowatt of the quoted capacity. This amount can be paid through various methods, including bank guarantees, demand drafts, NEFT/RTGS, or insurance surety bonds. In addition, successful bidders will have to submit a Performance Bank Guarantee as mentioned in the RfS document. The cost of obtaining the RfS document is INR 5,900. Interested parties are advised to carefully review the RfS and understand site conditions before submitting their proposals.