The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a leading government-owned renewable energy company under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for the installation of a 5500 kW grid-connected rooftop solar PV project at the University of Delhi’s North Campus. The project will be developed under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model on a Build-Own-Operate basis, ensuring that the university does not need to invest any upfront capital for the installation.
Under the tender, SECI is acting as the nodal agency and has invited eligible solar developers to participate in the competitive bidding process. The selected Solar Power Developer (SPD) will be responsible for the complete development, execution, and long-term management of the rooftop solar systems. This includes obtaining net-metering approvals and grid connectivity permissions from the local electricity distribution company, carrying out engineering and structural design works, and handling all related civil construction activities.
The developer will also be required to manage the operation and maintenance of the solar installations for a period of 25 years, which matches the duration of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The tender follows a technology-neutral approach, allowing developers to use any commercially proven solar technology. Special operational conditions have also been included in the guidelines to ensure smooth functioning within the university campus. Solar panels must be installed at a minimum height of one meter above rooftops, while developers must also take preventive measures to reduce operational issues caused by monkeys in the area.
The tender includes several financial conditions for participating bidders. Developers are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) as per the provisions mentioned in the RfS document. The EMD can be provided through bank guarantees, insurance surety bonds, or payment-on-order instruments. In addition, bidders must pay a non-refundable bid processing fee of INR 6,000. However, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) with valid Udyam Registration Certificates are exempted from both the EMD and bid processing fee requirements.
The selected bidder must also provide a Performance Bank Guarantee before signing the PPA with the university. The guarantee amount has been fixed at INR 3,375 per kW of allocated capacity, resulting in a total requirement of INR 1.85 crore for the full 5500 kW project capacity.
According to the tender schedule, the RfS was issued on May 21, 2026. Developers must complete all bid submissions through the ISN-ETS portal within the specified timeline. The project must be commissioned within seven months from the date of signing the PPA, while the maximum tariff ceiling for the bid has been capped at INR 5.00 per kWh.
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