Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has invited bids for the development of 44 MW of grid-connected solar PV projects on a turnkey basis across Maharashtra. The scope of work includes the design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of the systems. As per the tender document, it will be the responsibility of the contractor to operate and maintain the projects to deliver the guaranteed output for ten years from the date of commissioning of the projects. CEL will establish the solar projects, with capacities of 0.25 MW to 10 MW on the open, unused lands in the premises of existing substations of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited. The period of completion of the work is 90 days. The last date for submission of bids is December 30, 2019.
State-run Central Electronics Limited (CEL) was established in 1974 to commercially exploit indigenous technologies developed by national laboratories, and research and development institutions in the country. CEL works independently as well as in collaboration with premier national and international laboratories, including defence laboratories.
It sources cells from various manufacturers in order to produce solar modules. In October 2019, it invited bids for the supply of 500,000 multicrystalline (non-PERC) solar cells. As per the tender documents, the cells must provide an efficiency of minimum 18.8 per cent and must be delivered as per CEL’s requirements up to March 31, 2020.
Of late, it has been actively participating in the government’s solar programmes. In October 2019, CEL invited bids for supply of balance of system (BoS), installation, commissioning and testing of 10 kWp off-grid solar power plants (hybrid) along with all the necessary accessories. The solar plants will be set up across 34 sites in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and Bihar. The project will be completed in 90 days.
The company plans to participate in the tender floated by Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited for the solarisation of grid-connected agricultural consumers in Rajasthan under Component C of the Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahaabhiyan (KUSUM) rural solar scheme. The plants will be set up on a pilot basis for Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited and Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited. In order to bid for these projects, CEL plans to tie up with another entity, which will execute the solar project using CEL-supplied solar panels. Bids are therefore invited from parties willing to act as subcontractors of CEL for project execution.