North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has invited online bids for the second stage of its rooftop solar initiative. The tender is aimed at creating state-wise rate contracts for the design, supply, installation, and long-term maintenance of grid-connected rooftop solar systems in the residential segment. The initiative is part of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which focuses on promoting rooftop solar adoption among households in India. In this phase, the focus states include Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
The bidding process is restricted to technically qualified Channel Partners who were already empanelled during the first stage conducted in June 2025. A key condition of this tender is that bidders must participate for all three states together. If any bidder fails to submit proposals for Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura collectively, their bid will be rejected. This rule has been introduced to ensure uniform participation and consistent service delivery across the northeastern region.
The project will follow a demand-driven execution model. Under this structure, there is no fixed project allocation. Instead, work will be assigned based on consumer registrations on the national portal, where beneficiaries choose NEEPCO as their implementing agency. This approach is expected to align installation capacity with actual demand from households.
The scope of work under the tender includes multiple activities. Selected partners will be responsible for conducting initial site surveys, detailed engineering design, procurement of solar modules and inverters from approved Indian manufacturers, installation, testing, and commissioning of rooftop solar systems ranging from 1 kilowatt to 10 kilowatts. In addition, contractors will also handle five years of comprehensive operation and maintenance of the installed systems.
From a financial perspective, NEEPCO will add a 5 percent margin over the rates quoted by the channel partners. This margin will cover project management and administrative expenses. Although this will be included in the final consumer cost, it will be offset by Central Financial Assistance provided under the government scheme, reducing the effective burden on end users.
The selection process will follow a single-stage, two-envelope system. Technical qualifications will be evaluated first, and only then will financial bids be opened. Contracts will be awarded based on the lowest quoted rates for each state. The lowest bidder, or L1, is expected to receive around 60 to 70 percent of the allocated work, while other qualified bidders may be retained as backup partners to ensure continuity and regional coverage.
Interested empanelled partners must submit their bids through the Central Public Procurement Portal by May 21, 2026. Technical bids will be opened on May 22, followed by financial bid opening on May 27. The final rate contracts will remain valid for three years, providing a stable framework for rooftop solar expansion in the northeastern region.
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