SJVN Seeks Developers for 18 MW Rooftop Solar Projects Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

SJVN Ltd. (SJVNL) has launched a Request for Selection (RFS) for Solar Rooftop Power Developers (SRPDs) to install a total capacity of 18 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar power projects (without battery storage) on Union Government buildings.

The projects are part of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and will be implemented across several states, including Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

The scope includes the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning, along with warranty and comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M). The projects will be executed under the RESCO/PPA mode through tariff-based competitive bidding.

Interested bidders must submit a non-refundable tender fee of INR 5,900, including GST, and an earnest money deposit (EMD) of INR 1,000 per kW for the quoted capacity.

The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 9th January 2025, with both in-person and virtual attendance options. The last date for online bid submission is 20 January 2025, with hard copies due by 29 Jaunuary 2025. Technical bids will be opened on 20 January 2025. The bid validity period is 12 months from the last date for online submission. This project plays a crucial role in India's renewable energy expansion and is part of efforts to meet national solar power targets.

The eligibility criteria for vendors bidding under the Request for Selection (RfS) for rooftop solar power systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana are divided into two categories: SJVN-empaneled vendors and non-empaneled vendors. SJVN-empaneled vendors, who are qualified will only undergo a financial eligibility evaluation, with their technical qualifications automatically considered valid. However, if these vendors wish to bid for projects outside their empaneled regions, they must meet specific state-based eligibility criteria. The terms and conditions for these vendors remain the same as the ones outlined for the RfS.

Non-SJVN empaneled vendors must meet more comprehensive eligibility criteria. Bidders must be registered as a company, and if participating as a consortium, the lead member must have the majority shareholding in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) according to the consortium agreement. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) can participate only within a consortium, as they cannot bid as sole entities.

Foreign companies may also participate, either independently or as part of a consortium, but they must establish an Indian SPV with at least 51 percent shareholding before signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Additionally, vendors from countries sharing a land border with India must be registered with the Competent Authority, and neither the bidder nor its affiliates should be blacklisted or classified as wilful defaulters by government agencies or international bodies.

In terms of technical eligibility, SJVN-empaneled vendors are automatically considered technically qualified, and only their financial standing is evaluated. Non-empaneled vendors, on the other hand, must have prior experience in designing, supplying, installing, and commissioning grid-connected solar PV power plants in India. Specifically, bidders should have a cumulative capacity of at least 500 kWp over the last seven years and must have completed at least one project with a capacity of 100 kWp or more, which has been in successful operation for at least six months before the bid submission.

The financial eligibility criteria for bidders include several key components. First, bidders must have a positive net worth in at least two of the last three financial years, including FY 2023-24, certified by a statutory auditor. Second, bidders must demonstrate a turnover of INR 15,000 per kW of the quoted capacity over the last three years, evidenced by an audited balance sheet. Third, bidders must show INR 16,700 per kW of quoted capacity for FY 2023-24. For consortiums, members' financial contributions must be proportional to their shareholding, and the lead member must hold at least 51 percent.

Interested bidders should refer to the document for further details.