The proposed ISTS-connected solar power plant at Gaya will feature 60 MW AC and 84 MWp DC capacity, with SECI inviting EPC contractors for construction, commissioning and five years of operation and maintenance.
The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has announced a site visit and pre-bid meeting for its proposed 60 MW AC solar photovoltaic power plant at Gaya, Bihar, marking further progress in the project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender process.
The underlying EPC tender was issued on 30 September 2026 and covers design, engineering, supply, construction, equipment installation, testing, commissioning and comprehensive operation and maintenance.
The project represents an important renewable energy development opportunity in Bihar. However, it remains at the procurement stage, with no EPC contract award or commercial commissioning announced.
SECI’s 60 MW Solar EPC Tender and Project Specifications
The procurement has been issued under reference SECI/C&P/OP/11/0007/26-27, with Tender ID SECI000284 and electronic tender search code SECI-2026-TN000030.
According to SECI’s official schedule, online bid submission will close on 12 November 2026 at 6:00 PM, followed by offline document submission on 16 November at 6:00 PM. Bid opening is scheduled for 17 November 2026 at 6:00 PM, subject to any subsequent amendments.
The selection process includes online competitive bidding and an electronic reverse auction. SECI has specified a tender processing fee of ₹25,000 plus applicable GST, while the earnest money deposit and performance bank guarantee conditions are detailed in the contractual documents.
Unlike tariff-based solar developer selection, this tender seeks an EPC contractor to construct and commission a defined solar generating asset, followed by five years of comprehensive maintenance.
The technical tender document identifies 84 MWp of DC photovoltaic capacity and 60 MW AC capacity, representing a DC-to-AC ratio of approximately 1.40.
This configuration allows the photovoltaic array to supply sufficient DC power to the inverter system across varying solar irradiation conditions. Actual electricity generation will depend on solar resource availability, temperature, system efficiency and operational performance.
The specifications identify a south-facing, fixed-tilt module mounting arrangement and an 80 MVA power transformer capacity.
The proposed solar installation will be located near Habibpur, Dariaura and adjoining villages in Gaya district, close to the Dobhi–Patna Road. SECI is identified as the project owner, with the development planned on leased land.
The upcoming site visit will allow prospective EPC contractors to evaluate terrain, soil conditions, drainage, construction access and other physical characteristics that may influence engineering design and project costs.
These assessments are essential for determining suitable mounting structures, inverter station locations, internal roads, electrical collection systems and equipment installation arrangements.
Domestic TOPCon Technology and Grid Connectivity
SECI’s technical specifications call for domestically manufactured monocrystalline N-type TOPCon solar cells and glass-glass photovoltaic modules.
TOPCon, or Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact technology, uses a thin tunnel oxide and passivated contact structure to reduce charge-carrier recombination losses, supporting higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency. The project requires solar modules with a minimum power rating of 600 Wp and minimum module efficiency of 22.20%. The modules must comply with applicable ALMM List-I requirements, while the solar cells used in their manufacture must be enlisted under ALMM List-II.
These requirements support compliance with India’s domestic solar manufacturing framework while establishing minimum technical standards for the installation. An important feature of the EPC scope is that the purchase of solar PV modules is excluded from the contractor’s procurement responsibilities. However, the selected contractor will be responsible for unloading, inspection, storage, handling, installation and electrical interconnection of the modules.
Other responsibilities include supplying and installing the required mounting structures, inverters, transformers, electrical cables, switchgear, monitoring equipment and associated infrastructure. For electricity evacuation, the proposed plant will connect to India’s Inter-State Transmission System through a 132 kV bay at the 400/220/132 kV PGCIL substation at Chandauti.
Electricity generated by the solar modules will be converted from DC to AC through inverters before being transferred through the internal electrical network and designated grid-interconnection infrastructure.
Successful grid integration will require electrical protection coordination, metering arrangements, communication systems and compliance with applicable technical and safety standards. Engineering studies must also assess voltage regulation, reactive power requirements, fault conditions and the compatibility of the plant with the transmission network.
Coordination between generation infrastructure and grid connectivity will be essential because completed photovoltaic installations cannot export electricity without the necessary operational connection.
Five-Year Maintenance and Long-Term Project Performance
SECI’s procurement includes five years of comprehensive operation and maintenance, extending the selected contractor’s responsibilities beyond construction and commissioning.
This arrangement places emphasis on equipment reliability, generation performance and long-term asset management. The solar plant is designed for an operating life of approximately 25 years, making construction quality, equipment selection and preventive maintenance important considerations.
Solar photovoltaic systems require regular inspection, module cleaning, inverter monitoring, electrical testing and maintenance to minimise avoidable generation losses. Environmental conditions such as dust accumulation, high temperatures and seasonal rainfall can influence system performance and equipment reliability. Monitoring infrastructure will allow operators to evaluate electricity generation, identify faults and track important performance indicators, including inverter availability, performance ratio and system losses.
The tender also includes operational performance requirements, highlighting the importance of accurate engineering, installation quality and commissioning procedures.
For EPC contractors, integrating long-term maintenance considerations into the initial project design can improve equipment accessibility, reduce operating difficulties and support dependable electricity generation.
These considerations are particularly important for utility-scale solar projects, where relatively small performance losses can accumulate over an extended operating period.
Conclusion
SECI’s proposed 60 MW AC solar power plant at Gaya, Bihar, supported by 84 MWp of DC photovoltaic capacity, represents an important opportunity for expanding renewable energy infrastructure in the state. The project’s domestic TOPCon technology requirements, grid-connected configuration and five-year comprehensive maintenance scope demonstrate the technical and operational standards involved in modern solar project development. With the site visit scheduled for 15 October 2026 and bid submissions closing in November, the procurement is progressing towards contractor selection and implementation.
However, the project remains at the tender stage, and its contribution to India’s operational solar capacity will depend on successful engineering, construction, grid integration and commissioning.
The development highlights SECI’s continued efforts to advance solar infrastructure, with engineering quality, transmission readiness and reliable long-term performance central to successful project delivery.
Reference:
SECI – Official Tender Notice Tender details, bidding schedule and downloadable documents.
SECI – Official Technical Tender Document (PDF) 340-page document covering 84 MWp DC / 60 MW AC capacity, TOPCon modules, grid connectivity and five-year O&M.
SECI – Official Site Visit and Pre-Bid Meeting Notice (PDF) Notice dated 6 October 2026, including the 15 October site visit and meeting details.
Tender Reference: SECI/C&P/OP/11/0007/26-27
Tender ID: SECI000284
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