SECI Invites Bids For 1000 kW Rooftop Solar Project At Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for setting up a 1000 kW grid-connected rooftop solar PV project on the buildings of Rashtrapati Bhavan under RESCO mode through tariff-based competitive bidding. The Request for Selection (RfS) was issued on 9 September 2025 under RfS No. SECI/C&P/IPP/11/0008/25-26. This project, known as RTSPV-Tranche-III, is part of India’s commitment to expanding renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The project will be developed under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, where the selected solar power developer will be responsible for design, engineering, supply, installation, commissioning, and long-term operation and maintenance of the rooftop solar system. The cumulative project capacity of 1000 kW will be spread across multiple buildings within the Rashtrapati Bhavan campus, and the final allocation will be confirmed at the time of signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Bidders are required to pay a non-refundable bid processing fee of ₹6,000, including GST, either through NEFT/RTGS transfer or via a demand draft in favor of SECI. Additionally, an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹9,00,000 must be submitted in the form of a bank guarantee, payment on order instrument, or insurance surety bond. The EMD must remain valid for 12 months from the last date of bid submission, and any bid submitted without the required EMD will be rejected. The EMD ensures that only serious bidders participate, and it will be encashed if the bidder withdraws after submission or fails to comply with signing requirements.

The successful bidder will also have to furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹3,375 per kW, corresponding to the project capacity allocated. For the full 1000 kW project, the PBG amounts to ₹33,75,000. This guarantee will remain valid up to nine months after the scheduled commissioning date and will be encashed on a pro-rata basis if there are delays in project commissioning.

The timeline for the project has been carefully structured. The Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD) is nine months from the effective date of the PPA. For instance, if the PPA is signed on 7 January 2026, the commissioning must be completed by 7 October 2026. Developers are allowed an additional six months with penalties, extending the absolute deadline to 7 April 2027 in this example. Beyond this period, any uncommissioned capacity will be reduced from the PPA, and SECI will have the right to encash the PBG accordingly.

The PPA between the client organization and the selected bidder will be valid for 25 years from the date of commissioning. During this period, the developer will handle operation and maintenance of the system, ensuring module cleaning, repairs, replacements, and monitoring as per SECI guidelines. Failure to maintain performance may invite penalties or termination.

This tender represents a prestigious project, as it involves installing solar power on the official residence of the President of India. It underscores the government’s push towards clean energy adoption at iconic institutions. By enforcing strict conditions on EMD, PBG, and commissioning deadlines, SECI aims to ensure credible participation and timely execution.