Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited has announced a new tender to select Solar Project Developers (SPDs) for setting up 4455 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems across multiple locations in India. These projects will be developed under the RESCO model, where developers invest in, build, and operate the systems while supplying power to the respective institutions.

The projects will be installed across 14 organizations and institutes, including campuses of Central Sanskrit University and the Regional Passport Office in Bhopal. This initiative is part of India’s broader clean energy push and supports the government’s Panchamrit target of achieving 50 percent of total energy capacity from renewable sources by 2030.

Under this tender, the selected developers will follow a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model. This means they will handle the full project lifecycle, including design, engineering, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning. They will also be responsible for operation and maintenance throughout the duration of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), ensuring long-term performance and reliability of the systems.

The tender is technology-agnostic, allowing bidders to choose their preferred solar photovoltaic technology. However, developers must meet certain performance benchmarks. A minimum annual Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 15 percent is required for Category A projects, while Category B projects must achieve at least 13.5 percent CUF. The categorization depends on project location and timelines.

To participate, bidders must fulfill several financial requirements. An Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is mandatory and must be submitted in the form of a Bank Guarantee, Payment on Order Instrument, or Insurance Surety Bond. The exact amount depends on the total capacity applied for. In addition, successful bidders will need to submit a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) before signing the PPA. This guarantee must remain valid until nine months after the scheduled commissioning date.

All bidders must also pay a non-refundable bid processing fee of INR 6,000, including GST, through NEFT or RTGS. The Request for Selection was issued on April 10, 2026. A pre-bid meeting will be conducted as per the details available on the ISN-ETS portal. The final bid submission deadline is also mentioned on the same portal.

After submission, original EMD documents must be delivered offline to SECI within two working days. The commissioning timeline is set at seven months from the PPA effective date for Category A projects and nine months for Category B projects. SECI has advised bidders to visit the project sites in advance to assess feasibility and available space.