In a move to bolster India’s rooftop solar capacity, SJVN Limited has invited bids for 1,555 kW of grid-connected solar projects to be installed on government buildings across five eastern states.
Expanding Green Infrastructure in Eastern India
SJVN Limited, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems without battery storage. The total proposed capacity—1,555 kW—will be spread across Union Government buildings located in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
This initiative falls under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a central government scheme aimed at expanding solar installations across India. The project will be implemented using the RESCO/PPA model and awarded through a tariff-based competitive bidding process.
Bidding Details and Important Dates
The tender will follow a single-stage, two-envelope bidding process, inviting proposals from qualified Solar Power Developers (SPDs). A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM at SJVN’s office in New Delhi.
Key dates for bidders include:
- Online bid submission deadline: August 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM
- Opening of technical bids: August 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Submission of hard copy documents: August 23, 2025, by 6:00 PM
- Price bid opening: To be notified to technically qualified bidders
The tender document is priced at ₹5,900 (inclusive of 18% GST), payable via NEFT or RTGS.
Earnest Money and Financial Requirements
Bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹1,000 per kW of the quoted capacity. The EMD can be furnished in various formats, including bank guarantee, demand draft, NEFT/RTGS transfer, or insurance surety bond, and must remain valid for 12 months from the last date of submission.
Details about the Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) for selected bidders are included in the RfS document.
Although no central financial assistance will be extended for these installations on government buildings, selected developers may still benefit from incentives such as Accelerated Depreciation and Tax Holidays, which can enhance project viability.
Target Buildings and Ministries
The rooftop solar installations will be carried out on government buildings managed by various ministries, including:
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs
- Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
This rollout aligns with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidelines dated July 3, 2024, which aim to saturate public infrastructure with solar energy solutions as part of India’s broader renewable energy goals.
Bid Compliance and Validity
SJVN has emphasized that all submissions must be in strict adherence to the requirements laid out in the RfS. Incomplete or non-compliant bids may be rejected without further consideration.
The validity period for each bid is 12 months from the final date of online submission, allowing time for thorough evaluation and finalization of contracts.
By initiating this tender, SJVN is contributing to India’s ambitious target of increasing rooftop solar penetration, while enabling sustainable energy adoption within key government infrastructure across the eastern corridor of the country.
