Gujarat issues tender for 50 MW rooftop solar

Gujarat has invited bids for setting up about 50 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems on government buildings in the state under its programme for 2026-27. tender has been issued by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) to hasten the adoption of renewable energy in public sector buildings.

The tender covers rooftop solar systems ranging from 1 kW to 6 kW. Selected contractors will be responsible for the complete supply, installation, and commissioning of the systems, followed by a 10-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC).

Key Highlights of the Tender

Total rooftop solar capacity: Approximately 50 MW
System capacity: 1 kW to 6 kW per installation
Maintenance period: 10-year Comprehensive Maintenance Contract
Implementation: Multiple successful bidders
Tender issuing agency: Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA)
Bid submission deadline: September 3, 2026
Tender issue date: August 24, 2026

GEDA has proposed a multi-bidder implementation model rather than awarding the entire programme to a single developer. The total capacity of around 50 MW will be distributed among successful bidders based on the tender’s allocation mechanism.

The lowest bidder is expected to receive a larger initial share of the work, while other successful bidders may receive broadly comparable allocations. Future allocations, however, will be on a performance basis for each individual contractor.

GEDA will periodically assess the performance of the contractors on various parameters like the number of rooftop systems installed, successful commissioning of projects and progress against the stipulated timelines. Contractors that do well could be awarded additional sites and work could be redistributed from bidders that fail to hit approved milestones.

A major requirement under the tender is the use of domestically manufactured solar equipment. The modules to be used by the bidders should meet the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) and should be made using Indian-made PV cells and modules.

Modules must be on the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The minimum rated capacity of each module shall be 400 Wp and the minimum efficiency shall be 19.5%.

This requirement is expected to encourage the use of domestically manufactured solar equipment, while aligning the programme with India’s broader efforts to strengthen its domestic renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem.

The tender specifies a number of technical requirements for the rooftop systems. The solar modules should be as per the relevant IEC and BIS standards and should be able to operate under severe climatic conditions.

The systems must be designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 kmph. Modules will carry a minimum 10-year material warranty, while the performance warranty requires power degradation to remain within 10% after 10 years and 20% after 25 years.

The installations will be battery-less and grid-connected, comprising PV modules, mounting structures, inverters, protection systems, cables, earthing and metering infrastructure.

All systems will have to comply with Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) net-metering regulations as well as connectivity requirements specified by the relevant distribution companies.

The procurement places a significant long-term performance obligation on successful contractors. Developers will be required to provide performance security covering the complete 10-year CMC period.

The security will be released only after successful completion of the maintenance contract, subject to the submission of quarterly maintenance reports and compliance with performance requirements.

Contractors must maintain a Performance Ratio (PR) of more than 70% in every quarter throughout the 10-year maintenance period.

GEDA has provided bidders with multiple payment mechanisms. Contractors can receive an advance payment equivalent to 30% of the project value against submission of an equivalent bank guarantee.

Further payments will be linked to the progress of installation and commissioning. A consolidated payment option is also available following successful completion of supply, installation and commissioning, subject to third-party inspection and rectification of any identified deficiencies.

Bidders will have to meet specified financial and technical eligibility criteria. These include an average annual turnover of at least ₹7 crore and significant experience in implementing rooftop solar projects in Gujarat.

The tender was issued on August 24, 2026, while the deadline for submitting bids has been set for September 3, 2026. Technical bids are also scheduled to be opened on the same day.

Gujarat’s initiative forms part of a broader trend among Indian states to solarize government buildings and reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources.

In Delhi, Indraprastha Power Generation Company Ltd (IPGCL) has floated a tender for 50 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems on government buildings under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model. The Delhi tender is divided into 25 packages of 2 MW each.

Rajasthan has also pursued large-scale government rooftop solarization. The state’s e-procurement portal lists a 33 MW tender for grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects on government buildings, while an earlier Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) tender covered 511 MW of rooftop solar projects.

Haryana has similarly introduced rooftop solar programmes for government buildings, including procurement under the RESCO model and initiatives linked to the PM Surya Ghar programme.

While the procurement models vary between states, the objective remains broadly similar: increase renewable power generation at government facilities, reduce electricity costs and improve energy self-sufficiency.

Gujarat’s latest 50 MW programme stands out for combining supply, installation, commissioning and a 10-year maintenance obligation within a structured multi-bidder framework. The emphasis on domestic-content requirements, technical performance and long-term maintenance also indicates a focus not only on installing rooftop systems but on ensuring their sustained performance.

The tender could therefore create opportunities for rooftop solar developers and EPC companies while contributing to Gujarat’s wider renewable energy ambitions and the growing solarisation of public infrastructure across India.