SECI Issues Tender for 870 MWp Domestically Manufactured Solar PV Modules with Mandatory Local Cell Requirement

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued tender reference number SECI/C&P/OP/11/021/2025-26 for the manufacturing, testing, packing, forwarding, supply, and transportation of 870 MWp of Solar PV modules. This procurement, conducted under the CPSU Scheme Tranche III, mandates the use of both domestically manufactured Solar PV cells and modules.

Project Configuration and Deadlines

Bidders must comply with the following project parameters and timelines:

• Total Capacity: 870 MWp.
• Package Split: Three (03) packages of 290 MWp each.
• Bidding Configurations: Options are limited to 290 MWp, 580 MWp, or 870 MWp. Intermediary capacities are prohibited.
• Primary Project Location: Radhanesda, Banaskantha, Gujarat.
• Online Bid Submission Deadline: 10.03.2026 up to 1400 HRS.
• Techno-Commercial Bid Opening: 10.03.2026 at 1600 HRS.
• Pre-Bid Meeting: 24.02.2026 at 1100 HRS (Online).

Technical Hardware Specifications

The following table summarizes the mandatory technical requirements for all supplied hardware:

Only one type of PV module is permitted per bid, with dimensions fixed according to Form T-01. Bidders are required to submit the PAN file within 60 days of award, which must be certified by an ILAC-accredited laboratory.

Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) and Compliance

The procurement is governed by the following regulatory and manufacturing mandates:

• Class-I Local Supplier: Bidders must meet a local content threshold of \ge 50\%.
• ALMM Compliance: Modules must be sourced from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List I. Solar cells must be enlisted in ALMM List II.
• Manufacturing Scope: For Crystalline Silicon technology, all process steps—from wafers until final assembly—and all quality control measures must be performed at the manufacturer’s works in India.
• Certification: Provision of DCR compliance certificates (Form F-21 and F-22) is mandatory.

Bidder Eligibility and Financial Criteria

The following financial and eligibility criteria govern bidder participation:

1. Tender Processing Fee: INR 25,000 (excluding GST).
2. Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): Required amounts are INR 13.2 Cr for 290 MWp, INR 26.4 Cr for 580 MWp, and INR 39.6 Cr for 870 MWp. Bank guarantees must be valid for at least 210 days (30 days beyond the 180-day bid validity period).
3. Performance Security: 10% of the total order cost, valid for 27 months.
4. Land Border Restrictions: Mandatory submission of a declaration regarding bidders from countries sharing land borders with India, as per Department of Expenditure orders.
5. Consortiums: Consortium or joint venture bids are permitted unless otherwise specified in the Bid Data Sheet (BDS).

Future Provisions: Repeat Order Potential

SECI reserves the right to place repeat orders for up to 100% additional capacity at the same price, terms, and conditions. The repeat order is offered to the L1 supplier first. If unallocated capacity remains, the offer extends to the L2 supplier, and subsequently the L3 supplier. Each supplier has a seven (7) day window from the date of SECI’s communication to accept or decline the offer.

Tentative additional locations and capacities include:

• Ramagiri, Andhra Pradesh: 91 MWp (Expected March 2027).
• Chitradurga, Karnataka: 172.5 MWp (Expected January 2028).

Submission Protocol

Bidders must follow the Single Stage Two Envelope bidding process, followed by an e-Reverse Auction (e-RA).

• Online Submission: All bids must be uploaded via the ISN-ETS portal (https://www.bharat-electronictender.com).
• Offline Documentation: The following documents must be submitted to the SECI office within two working days of the online deadline:
  • Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) or Bid Securing Declaration.
  • Power of Attorney.
  • Board Resolution.
  • Passphrase to decrypt bid parts (provided in separate sealed envelopes).