The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has launched a competitive bidding process to select Solar Power Developers (SPDs) for setting up 5,290 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model. The Request for Selection (RfS) was issued on July 27, 2026, with document number SECI/C&P/IPP/11/0007/26-27 and Tender Search Code SECI-2026-TN000018.
The initiative aims to install rooftop solar systems at eight major government institutions across different states and union territories. The projects will be developed under the Build-Own-Operate (B-O-O) model, where selected developers will be responsible for the complete project lifecycle. This includes obtaining approvals from electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), designing and engineering the systems, supplying equipment, installation, testing, commissioning, and providing operation and maintenance services for the entire 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) period.
The projects have been divided into two categories based on location and technical requirements. Category A includes Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi with a capacity of 200 kW, Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial in New Delhi with 70 kW, IISER Mohali in Punjab with 310 kW, BBAU Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh with 1,500 kW, BBAUSC Amethi in Uttar Pradesh with 220 kW, and NIFT Patna in Bihar with 100 kW.
Category B projects include NIFT Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir with 890 kW capacity and IIT Mandi in Himachal Pradesh with 2,000 kW capacity. The IIT Mandi project will feature a Behind-the-Meter (BTM) solar system with a Zero Export Device and parking-mounted carport structures.
Developers can bid for individual projects or participate for the entire combined capacity of 5,290 kW. A non-refundable bid processing fee of INR 6,000, including GST, is required during submission, although eligible Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are exempted.
The tender requires bidders to submit Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) based on project capacity and location. The highest EMD amount is for IIT Mandi at INR 19.8 lakh, followed by BBAU Lucknow at INR 13.5 lakh and NIFT Srinagar at INR 8.81 lakh. Other projects require EMDs ranging from INR 63,000 to INR 2.79 lakh.
Selected developers will need to provide a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) before signing the PPA. The PBG has been set at INR 3,375 per kW for Category A projects and INR 3,715 per kW for Category B projects. Developers will also pay SECI service charges of INR 1,350 per kW plus GST for Category A and INR 1,485 per kW plus GST for Category B projects.
The successful bidders must sign PPAs with the respective institutions within 30 days of receiving the Letter of Award. They must submit net-metering applications to DISCOMs within 90 days of signing the PPA. The scheduled commissioning period is six months for Category A projects and seven months for Category B projects.
Throughout the 25-year operational period, developers must maintain a minimum declared Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 15% for Category A projects and 13.5% for Category B projects. The tender is expected to support wider adoption of rooftop solar power in government institutions and contribute to India’s renewable energy expansion goals.
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