Punjab floats tender for 1,699 kW of rooftop solar capacity across 40 sites

The Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) has issued a tender to set up rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totaling 1,699 kW on various buildings owned by it.

These rooftop solar PV projects will be developed under the RESCO model. The bid-submission deadline is August 20, 2019.

The rooftop solar PV projects will be spread across 40 sites that have been selected by PSTCL. Bidders will be required to furnish year on year tariff for 25 years starting from the date of commissioning of the rooftop solar project. The tariff stream quoted by the bidder will be then levelized with a discounting rate of 9.14%. The capacity will be allocated based on the lowest quoted levelized tariff for 25 years.

According to PSTCL, the size of each rooftop solar PV project will be in the range of 20 kW to 100 kW. One project will comprise one roof only. Each rooftop solar PV unit can separately connect with the grid and may have separate meters.

A single bidder must submit bids for a minimum aggregate capacity of 750 kW. The scope of work includes the site survey, obtaining a no-objection certificate from distribution company (PSPCL) for grid connectivity, complete design, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, civil work, erection, testing, and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects.

The bidder will provide a warranty covering the rectification of all defects in the design of the equipment, materials, and workmanship, including spare parts for a period of two years from the date of commissioning.

Project completion timeframe is six months from the date of award of contract.

Recently, the Punjab Energy Developing Agency (PEDA) issued a Request for Proposal for the approval of rates of different capacities of grid-interactive rooftop solar PV projects in the state.

A few months ago, the Akal University in Punjab’s Bhatinda announced that it had installed a 1.2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project for ₹52 million (~$0.75 million). The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provided a subsidy of ₹17 million (~$0.25 million) for this project.