The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP), operating under the authority of the Vice Chairman & Managing Director, has issued an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) tender for a Canal-Top Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) project in Andhra Pradesh. Issued under Tender Reference Number NREDCAP/ Canal top SPV/O&M/60C/2026-27, the contract focuses on ensuring long-term operational efficiency, structural integrity, and asset upkeep across canal-mounted solar arrays. Qualified bidders are required to submit their technical and commercial proposals through the designated online portal by the submission deadline of October 12, 2026.
Project Scope & Technical Details
State-level potential assessments establish that Andhra Pradesh holds a total CTPV technical potential of 11,040 MWp spanning 4,530 km of canal network. Technical configurations and installation densities are determined by canal width and orientation to optimize generation yield and structural stability over water channels.
Technical Metrics & Array Specifications
| Scope Parameter | Details & Technical Metrics |
| State Potential & Scale | 11,040 MWp capacity spanning 4,530 km of canal network in Andhra Pradesh. |
| Canals < 30 m Width (South Flow) | Top-mounted linear arrays along flow direction (0°/180° and 350° to 10° / 170° to 190°); capacity density of 140 kWp/km per meter width. |
| Canals < 30 m Width (East-West / Diagonal Flow) | Top-mounted linear arrays along flow direction (90°/270°, 80° to 100° / 260° to 280°, and diagonal); capacity density of 160 kWp/km per meter width. |
| Canals > 30 m Width (Large Canals) | Vertical bifacial solar panels installed along both sides of canal banks; capacity density of 1 MWp/km (0.4 to 0.5 MWp/km per side). |
Operational & O&M Scope Requirements
Key operational focus areas and maintenance requirements specific to canal-top solar infrastructure include:
- Structural Upkeep and Module Cleaning: Implementing specialized equipment and safe access protocols for panel cleaning and structural monitoring over open water channels.
- Wind Load Management: Conducting routine structural inspections to withstand aerodynamic loads caused by the wind tunnel effect created beneath structures spanning the canals.
- Monsoon Water Flow Management: Maintaining foundational supports, electrical balance, and structural integrity during heavy seasonal monsoon surges.
Financial Assumptions & Capital Overview
Canal-top solar installations involve elevated civil and structural overheads compared to standard ground-mounted PV projects. The benchmark financial parameters and component breakdowns are detailed below.
Cost Components & Financial Baseline
| Cost Component | Detail / Value |
| Total Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) | INR 615.48 Lakhs per MW (~INR 6.2 Crores per MW total) |
| Module Cost Allocation (Sub-component) | 64.52% of CAPEX (INR 338.80 Lakhs/MW based on 1.21 MWp DC capacity at INR 28/Wp) |
| Installation & Erection / Civil (Sub-component) | 8.06% of CAPEX (INR 42.35 to 48.40 Lakhs/MW depending on layout) |
| Evacuation Infrastructure (Sub-component) | 4.61% of CAPEX (INR 24.20 Lakhs/MW at INR 2/Wp) |
| Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) | INR 5.89 per kWh baseline |
| Land / Canal Bank Rent Assumption | INR 15,000 per acre/year (INR 3.71 per sq m; 5,000 sq m required per MW) |
Financial Criteria & Support Provisions
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF): VGF support is evaluated when the derived LCOE exceeds the national average power procurement price in the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) during daytime peak generation hours (08:00 to 18:00 hours) for distribution companies (DISCOMs), ensuring the commercial viability of 1 MWp systems.
- Compliance & Guarantees: Bidders must satisfy standard tender financial mandates under NREDCAP guidelines, including required bank guarantees, transaction costs, and operational adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP).
Deadlines & Submission Process
- Issuing Authority: Office of the VC & Managing Director, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP)
- Tender Reference Number:
NREDCAP/ Canal top SPV/O&M/60C/2026-27 - Submission Format: Prescribed online bidding portal
- Primary Bid Submission Deadline: October 12, 2026
- Official Tender Document (IFB PDF): Download Official NREDCAP Tender Document.
- Draft O&M Agreement (PDF): Download Official O&M Agreement Document.
- Tender Corrigendum-I (PDF): Download Corrigendum-I.
- Tender Corrigendum-II (PDF): Download Corrigendum-II.
- NREDCAP Official Website: NREDCAP Official Portal.
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