The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a Navratna public sector company under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has issued a new Request for Selection to appoint solar power developers for rooftop solar projects across the country. The tender, dated December 15, 2025, is part of RTSPV-Tranche-VI and focuses on setting up around 8,900 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems. These systems will be installed on the buildings of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas located across 13 States and Union Territories.
Under this initiative, SECI will select Solar Power Developers through a tenure-based competitive bidding process. The bidding will follow a single-stage, two-envelope system, and all bidders must register on the ISN-ETS portal. The projects will be implemented under the RESCO mode on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer basis. This means the developer will design, build, own, and operate the solar systems during the contract period, after which the systems will be transferred to the client organisation at no extra cost. The project supports the Government of India’s Panchamrit commitment announced at COP26, which aims to meet 50 percent of the country’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.
The responsibility of the selected developers is wide-ranging. It includes design, engineering, supply of equipment, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance for the full duration of the power purchase agreement. Developers must also secure all required approvals, including net-metering and no objection certificates from the respective distribution companies. The maximum rooftop solar capacity allowed for any single JNV building is 50 kW, with a small margin for variation. The bidding parameter is the single uniform PPA tenure, which will apply to all projects within a particular State or Union Territory.
The projects have been divided into two categories. Category A covers projects in 12 States and Union Territories, while Category B applies to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Power tariffs vary by location, starting from INR 4.50 per unit in Chandigarh and going up to INR 18.00 per unit in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Developers are required to maintain a minimum annual capacity utilization factor of 15 percent for Category A projects and 13.5 percent for Category B projects. If the minimum energy supply is not met, penalties will be imposed at 50 percent of the applicable tariff for the shortfall.
The timelines for project execution are strict. Projects in Category A must be fully commissioned within nine months from the effective date of the PPA, while Category B projects have a timeline of 12 months. An additional six-month extension is allowed with penalties. If the developer fails to commission the remaining capacity even after this extended period, the PPA for the uncommissioned capacity will be terminated.
Participation in the bid requires submission of an earnest money deposit in the form of a bank guarantee, payment order instrument, or insurance surety bond. For example, an EMD of INR 99,000 has been specified for 100 kW capacity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A non-refundable bid processing fee of INR 6,000, including GST, is also applicable. Selected developers must submit a performance bank guarantee, part of which may be encashed if there are delays in commissioning. After the PPA period ends, the rooftop solar systems will be fully transferred to the client organisation without any additional charge.
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