The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad has issued a formal invitation for online bids regarding the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning (SITC) of a 1,252 kWp solar power generation system. Identified under Notice Inviting BID (NIT) No. 17/IITPKD/EWD/2026-27/111, the project is a cornerstone of the Phase B Permanent Campus construction at the institute’s Sahyadri and Nila campuses in Kerala. With an estimated project cost of Rs. 5,83,44,000/-, the tender represents a significant investment in the region’s academic energy infrastructure. The deadline for bid submission is set for July 8, 2026.
Institutional Vision and Project Scope
The project is an operationalization of the institute’s “Centre of Renewable Energy (CoRE)” vision. Formally launched on March 17, 2023, by Director Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, CoRE was established to synchronize research and industrial collaboration in the renewable sector. This tender carries forward that mandate, focusing on the Phase 1B Academic Zone to create a sustainable ecosystem featuring solar farms on the main campus.
The scope of work is comprehensive, covering the complete SITC of a grid-tied solar system. This includes the procurement of high-efficiency modules, a decentralized inverter network, and the required supporting structures and electrical interconnections across the sprawling campus buildings.
Bidding Eligibility and Technical Criteria
To ensure the reliability of the installation, the Engineering Works Division has set rigorous eligibility benchmarks. Prospective contractors must provide a bulleted synthesis of their qualifications:
- Experience Thresholds: Bidders must have completed “similar works” within the last five years meeting one of the following financial scales:
- Three similar works each costing at least Rs. 2.33 Cr.
- Two similar works each costing at least Rs. 3.5 Cr.
- One similar work costing at least Rs. 4.67 Cr.
- Definition of Similar Work: Specifically defined as the SITC of grid-type solar power plants with a capacity of not less than 1 MWp.
- Regional Presence: Bidders must maintain a functional service center in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, or Kerala. Crucially, a Certificate of Registration for these centers must be provided with the bid.
Financial and Compliance Parameters
The financial requirements for this project are strictly governed, with no exemptions for MSME firms regarding the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD).
| Financial Parameter | Value |
| Estimated Cost | Rs. 5,83,44,000/- |
| Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) | Rs. 11,66,880/- |
| Performance Security | 5% of Contract Value |
| Security Deposit | 2.5% of Tendered Value |
Bidders are alerted that EMD forfeiture rules apply if a bid is withdrawn during the validity period or if the successful bidder fails to execute the contract.
Technical Specifications and DCR Compliance
In a move toward modernizing its energy profile, IIT Palakkad has specified the use of Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCON) technology. As a high-efficiency N-type cell technology, TOPCON offers superior performance, higher bifaciality, and lower degradation rates compared to standard PERC modules.
The hardware requirements are detailed as follows:
- Solar Panels: Dual Glass TOPCON, half-cut cells, ranging from 600–620 Wp. All modules must adhere to the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR), restricting procurement to Indian-manufactured cells and modules.
- Inverters: Multi-MPPT 3-phase string inverters. Reflecting a decentralized architecture, the Schedule of Quantity specifies a range of units including 6 units of 100 kW, 5 units of 75 kW, and additional units of 50 kW, 30 kW, 25 kW, 15 kW, 12 kW, and 10 kW.
- Preferred Makes: Adani, Waaree, or TATA for panels; Sungrow, Solis, or Fimer (ABB) for inverters.
- Warranties: A mandatory 5-year manufacturer guarantee is required for both inverters and panels.
Execution Timeline and Maintenance
The project carries a stipulated completion period of 180 days from the commencement date. Upon commissioning, the contractor enters a 12-month Defect Liability Period.
Operational stability is prioritized through an initial 3-month Operation & Maintenance (O&M) period where the contractor must train EWD staff and record electrical parameters in logbooks. Furthermore, during the subsequent five-year maintenance window, the contractor is required to provide quarterly visits by a qualified Engineer to monitor system health and resolve major complaints.
Critical Dates and Submission Details
The bidding process follows a strict timeline on the official E-Wizard portal:
- Date of Publication: June 16, 2026
- Last Date for Bid Submission: July 8, 2026 (11:00 hrs)
- Opening of Technical Bids: July 8, 2026 (11:30 hrs)
- Bid Validity: 75 days from the date of opening of the eligibility bid.
- TENDER PORTAL: https://iitpkd.ac.in/tenders
Interested parties must submit their bids electronically via https://mhrd.ewizard.in. Bids submitted through any other mode will be summarily rejected.
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