Uttarakhand Tenders 6.5 MW of Rooftop and Distributed Solar Projects

The Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) has invited bids for the survey, design, manufacture, supply, testing, net metering, and commissioning of 6.5 MW of rooftop and small-scale solar power projects. The tender encompasses individual project capacities ranging from 1 kW to 1 MW. These installations are designated for various sites across Zone I (Kumaon Division) and Zone II (Garhwal Division) of the state. This solicitation follows the state’s efforts to scale distributed renewable energy infrastructure to meet regional clean energy targets.

Technical Specifications and Project Scope

The scope of work for the successful bidders covers the complete lifecycle of the projects, subject to the following technical and administrative requirements:

• Aggregate Capacity: The cumulative capacity of the projects under this tender is 6.5 MW.
• Work Scope: Contractors are responsible for site surveys, system design, equipment manufacture, supply, testing, and commissioning, as well as the implementation of net metering arrangements.
• Administrative Responsibility: The successful bidder is explicitly tasked with obtaining all applicable statutory approvals and electrical safety clearances required for project execution.
• Post-Commissioning Requirements: Contractors must provide a manufacturer’s warranty for all solar components for a minimum of five years. Additionally, the mandate includes comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) for a five-year period.
• Deliverables: Detailed survey reports must be submitted to UREDA within 60 days of the work order award. These reports are required to include shadow analysis, system simulations, the basis for orientation, and the proposed tilt angles.
• Equipment Standards: In compliance with national regulatory mandates, all solar modules and cells must be sourced from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-I and List-II, respectively.

Financial and Bidding Parameters

The financial requirements and penalty structures for the tender are summarized in the following table:

Bidder Eligibility Criteria

Prospective participants must satisfy the following mandatory qualifications to be eligible for the award:

1. Prior Experience: Bidders must have successfully installed more than 5 MW of grid-connected rooftop and small solar projects (within the 10 kW to 1 MW capacity range) on government buildings within the last five years.
2. Certifications: Participants must hold valid authorizations from manufacturers for modules and inverters. Furthermore, bidders must possess a valid Class A contractor registration specifically issued by the Electrical Safety Department.
3. Local Presence: To ensure long-term reliability, bidders are required to have at least one firm-owned service center established and operational within the state of Uttarakhand.

Critical Deadlines and Timeline

The bidding and project implementation schedule is as follows:

• Bid Submission Deadline: May 8, 2026
• Bid Opening Date: May 8, 2026
• Project Completion Timeline: 10 months from the date of the work order award

Regulatory Context: State Solar Targets and RPOs

This tender is a strategic component of Uttarakhand’s broader renewable energy roadmap, governed by the following state and commission mandates:

• State Targets: The Uttarakhand Solar Policy 2023 has established a cumulative target of 2,500 MW of solar capacity by December 2027. This includes 1,100 MW for utility-scale solar and 1,400 MW for distributed solar projects.
• Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): The total RPO for obligated entities in the state for the 2024-25 financial year is set at 29.91%. This includes a “Distributed RPO” component of 0.75%, specifically for renewable energy projects less than 10 MW in size.
• Distribution Losses: For FY 2024-25, the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has maintained a distribution loss of 13% for open access. In Miscellaneous Application No. 42 of 2024, the Commission rejected a petition from UREDA seeking voltage-wise reductions or specific loss fixations. The Commission ruled that any deviation from the established loss methodology would require a formal amendment to existing Regulations under Section 181 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and could not be achieved through a standalone Order.