UPNEDA Invites Bids for 2.5 MW of Off-Grid Hybrid Solar Projects at Government Buildings in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has issued an open tender for the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of cumulative 2.5 MW off-grid hybrid solar power plants. Executed under the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) mode, the project targets government buildings across various districts in Uttar Pradesh. The total estimated project value is ₹24.26 crore (inclusive of GST), and the official procurement is designated under Tender Bid Number 01/UPNEDA/Off Grid Solar Power Plant (1kW-75kW)/2026-27. The deadline for bid submission is September 15, 2026.

Project Scope and Category Breakdown

The procurement is structured as a turnkey rate contract, valid for 12 months with a provision for a 6-month extension. The cumulative 2.5 MW capacity is distributed across three specific system categories:

The scope of work is entirely turnkey, necessitating the selected contractors to manage the complete lifecycle of the project, including supply, installation, testing, and commissioning. Post-commissioning, the contract mandates a five-year comprehensive warranty and maintenance period.

Technical Specifications: Inverters and Storage

UPNEDA has established rigorous technical standards for hybrid integration and energy storage to ensure administrative continuity during grid failures:

• Storage Architecture:
  • Cell Chemistry: Mandated use of Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LiFePO4) prismatic cells with a minimum rating of 3.2V 40Ah.
  • Storage Sizing: Sized at a ratio of 3,840 Wh per kW of installed solar capacity.
  • Performance Metrics: \ge 90\% Depth of Discharge (DoD) with a cycle life of 3,000 cycles at 90% DoD before capacity falls below 75%.
  • Operational Parameters: Battery packs must operate within a temperature range of 0°C to 55°C and carry a minimum 7-year warranty.
  • Management System: Integrated Battery Management System (BMS) must support RS485 or CAN bus communication protocols for seamless inverter integration.
• Hybrid Inverter / Power Conditioning Unit (PCU):
  • Capacity Ratio: The rated inverter kW capacity must equal the installed solar plant capacity (1:1 ratio).
  • Efficiency Standards: Tested under IS/IEC 61683 standards, achieving \ge 92\% efficiency at 10% loading and \ge 95\% across 25% to 100% loading.
  • Safety & Monitoring: Integrated Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and anti-islanding capabilities.
  • Data Logging: GPRS-based Remote Monitoring System (RMS) must log generation and storage metrics on a minute-by-minute basis, integrated with the state’s RESIMS portal.

PV Module and Domestic Content Standards

Bidders must adhere to strict Domestic Content Requirements (DCR). All solar cells and modules must be manufactured in India and listed under the MNRE Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

Performance benchmarks for crystalline technology modules include:

• Nominal Rating: \ge 500 Wp per module.
• Efficiency and Quality: Module efficiency \ge 19.5\% with a fill factor \ge 70\%.
• Performance Warranty: 25-year warranty guaranteeing \ge 90\% output at year 10 and \ge 80\% output at year 25.

Financial and Eligibility Criteria

Qualification is contingent upon meeting category-specific financial and technical experience thresholds:

MSME Provisions: Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) registered in Uttar Pradesh are eligible for a 100% EMD exemption. The framework also includes a 25% order allocation provision for qualified UP-based MSEs, provided they match the L1 rate.

Payment Milestones & O&M Terms:

• Initial Payment: 85% of the contract value is released following successful supply, installation, testing, and commissioning.
• Retention: The remaining 15% is retained as a performance security for the 5-year maintenance period, released in 3% annual installments.
• Service Level Agreement: Bidders must establish service centers in allotted districts. All technical breakdowns must be resolved within a 7-day window from the date of complaint registration.

Timeline and Submission Guidelines

Bidders must adhere to the following schedule:

• Pre-bid Meeting: August 27, 2026.
• Bid Submission Deadline: September 15, 2026.
• Technical Bid Opening: September 16, 2026.
• Project Completion: 4 months from the issuance of each work order.

Security and Submission: Successful bidders are required to submit a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) equivalent to 5% of the work order value. Bids must be submitted through the official e-procurement portal at https://etender.up.nic.in/. For administrative inquiries, the UPNEDA head office is located at Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.

How to Access the Official Tender & Bidding Documents

Prospective bidders and interested parties can access the complete bidding guidelines, download the Standard Bidding Documents (SBD), and submit electronic bids through the following official channels:

• Official Tender Portal: Visit the Government of Uttar Pradesh e-Procurement Portal (e-Tender UP).
• Nodal Executing Agency: For policy updates and administrative circulars, visit the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) Official Website.
• Tender Reference Number: 01/UPNEDA/Off Grid Solar Power Plant (1kW-75kW)/2026-27
• Search Instructions: On the e-tender homepage, navigate to the search bar and filter under the organization “UPNEDA” using the keywords “Hybrid Rooftop Solar” or “2.5 MW”.