SECI Issues Tranche IX Tender for 4.45 MW Rooftop Solar Capacity Under RESCO Model

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has released a Request for Selection (RfS) for the implementation of 4.45 MW of aggregate rooftop solar PV capacity under Tranche IX of its renewable energy program. This tender utilizes the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) business model, where a project developer takes on the costs of installation and operation, selling power to the host at a fixed tariff. The initiative is specifically designed to accelerate solar adoption across various government buildings and institutional sites, providing a decentralized pathway toward India’s broader decarbonization objectives.

Project Scope and Technical Specifications

The tender specifies rigorous technical standards and location-based constraints to ensure high-efficiency generation and industrial quality control.

• Target Sites: Installations are restricted to the rooftops of government-owned buildings and institutional facilities.
• Module Technology: Bidders are mandated to utilize high-efficiency Mono PERC-bifacial modules.
• Regulatory Alignment: All hardware must comply with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) as regulated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Developer Responsibility: Under the RESCO framework, the selected developer is responsible for the complete lifecycle of the plant, including identification, possession, and long-term Operation and Maintenance (O&M).

Tariff Caps and Guarantee Mandates

The financial structure of the tender is governed by a strict ceiling tariff and performance-linked financial instruments. The procurement follows a competitive bidding process where the tariff remains fixed for the entire 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) term.

Execution Timeline

Upon the award of the contract, developers must achieve project commissioning according to a tiered schedule based on project classification:

1. Category A Commissioning: Projects must be fully operational within 7 months of the award date.
2. Category B Commissioning: Projects are granted an extended 9-month window for full commissioning.

Operational Performance Metrics

To ensure the long-term reliability of the installed capacity, SECI has established mandatory generation thresholds and associated penalties for non-performance.

• Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF): All projects are required to maintain a minimum CUF as specified in the tender documents, ensuring the rooftops provide consistent energy yields.
• Shortfall Penalties: In instances where actual energy generation falls below the prescribed performance criteria, a penalty mechanism is triggered. This penalty is strictly valued at 50% of the cost of the shortfall in generation.

SECI Institutional Context

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) acts as the keystone implementing agency for India’s renewable energy transition. A Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the MNRE, SECI is the only public sector entity dedicated solely to the renewable sector. It currently holds a Category-I Power Trading License and maintains a top-tier AAA credit rating from ICRA.

With an expansive portfolio exceeding 71 GW in awarded capacity, SECI’s influence is substantial: currently, every sixth solar plant commissioned in India has been facilitated through its tendering process. Smaller-scale initiatives like this 4.45 MW rooftop tender are essential components of India’s “Panchamrit Goals,” specifically the national target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.