Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited proposals for the selection of solar power developers to set up 4.55 MW grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (RTSPV) projects under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model. The selection will be done through a tariff-based competitive bidding process, and interested bidders can submit their proposals until April 30, 2025. SECI is acting as the bidding agency on behalf of ten client organizations, which include educational institutions such as Central University of South Bihar, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Indian Institute of Management Raipur, Sikkim Manipal University, and Manipur University, among others.
The selected developers will set up projects on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis. The objective is to supply solar power to the client institutions under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The developers will be responsible for obtaining necessary approvals, including a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective power distribution companies for grid connectivity. Their scope of work will include the design, engineering, supply, storage, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of the rooftop solar projects. Operation and maintenance (O&M) services will cover the replacement of defective modules, inverters, and other critical components, as well as ensuring insurance coverage and managing breakdowns for the duration of the PPA.
Under this scheme, bidders can avail themselves of fiscal incentives such as accelerated depreciation, concessional customs and excise duties, and tax holidays. However, SECI will not be responsible if any bidder is unable to claim these benefits, and the availability of such incentives will not impact the tariff comparison process during selection. No central financial assistance will be provided for the implementation of these projects.
The projects will be installed on rooftops and other designated areas, including car and cycle parking spaces, depending on the site specifications of the respective institutions. In the case of IIT Patna, solar panels will be installed on both the rooftops and parking areas. The technology used for these projects will be solar photovoltaic, but the selection process will be technology-agnostic, meaning that developers are free to use any suitable PV technology.
The total estimated capacity across the ten institutions is 4.55 MW, with individual project capacities ranging from 85 kW to 1,000 kW. The maximum tariff that can be quoted varies from ₹4.59 per kWh to ₹5.15 per kWh, depending on the location. The highest capacity project is at the Central University of South Bihar in Gaya, with 1,000 kW, while the smallest project is at IIIT Bhagalpur with 85 kW. The estimated tariffs for projects in Zone III, covering Bihar and Chhattisgarh, are ₹5.00 per kWh, while projects in Zone IV, covering Sikkim, Assam, and Manipur, have a slightly higher tariff cap of ₹5.15 per kWh.
Each bidder can submit only one bid, offering a minimum of one project and a maximum of all ten projects, with a total contracted capacity of 4.55 MW. Successful bidders will need to submit a performance bank guarantee (PBG) before signing the PPA. The PBG amount will be ₹3,375 per kW for Zone III projects and ₹3,715 per kW for Zone IV projects. These guarantees must remain valid for nine months beyond the scheduled commissioning date of each project.
SECI has provided guidelines on technical specifications and project implementation, and successful bidders will be required to comply with the regulations of the respective state electricity regulatory commissions and the Central Electricity Authority. The bidding process offers an opportunity for solar developers to contribute to the expansion of rooftop solar capacity in educational institutions, supporting the transition to renewable energy in India.
