Bihar Discoms Invite Bids For 275 MW Rooftop Solar Projects For 2.5 Lakh Households Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme

In a major step to expand the use of renewable energy in Bihar, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) has issued a request for proposal to develop 275 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects across the state. The tender has been issued on behalf of both South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, covering a wide residential consumer base under a government-supported solar programme.

The rooftop solar projects will be implemented for around 2.5 lakh Kutir Jyoti households spread across 18 power distribution circles in Bihar. Of these, nine circles fall under North Bihar and nine under South Bihar. The initiative is being carried out under the Utility-Led Aggregation model of the PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to promote rooftop solar adoption among households, especially those with lower incomes.

Under the Utility-Led Aggregation model, distribution companies act as aggregators. They identify eligible households, coordinate installations, and streamline the process for consumers. This approach reduces the burden on individual households and helps ensure faster and more organized deployment of rooftop solar systems. The tender allows participation under both CAPEX and RESCO modes, offering flexibility to developers and implementing agencies.

As per the tender conditions, the minimum capacity of each rooftop solar plant will start from 1.1 kW. The focus of the project is to provide access to clean and affordable electricity to economically weaker households, helping them reduce or eliminate their power bills through rooftop solar generation.

The bidding process is open to eligible agencies, firms, and government undertakings. Interested bidders will need to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹1 lakh per MW along with a tender document fee of ₹25,000 plus applicable GST. All tender-related documents and updates will be available through the Bihar government’s e-procurement portal.

The schedule for the tender process has also been announced. The RFP download period will begin on January 15, 2026, at 10:00 hours. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2026, at 15:30 hours to address queries from prospective bidders. The deadline for online bid submission is January 29, 2026, at 18:00 hours, while the technical bids will be opened on January 30, 2026, at 16:00 hours.

This large-scale rooftop solar rollout is expected to play an important role in improving Bihar’s solar capacity, which has remained relatively low compared to other states. Through the Utility-Led Aggregation model, the government aims to ensure that the benefits of the PM Surya Ghar scheme reach vulnerable households while strengthening the state’s renewable energy footprint.