Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has invited bids for the supply of 286,000 multi-crystalline solar photovoltaic cells. The supplied cells must have dimensions of 157×157 ± 1.0mm and a thickness of 220 ± 20 microns. Wattages for the cells must range between 4.52W and 4.82W and must be five bus bars long. The cells are also required to have a homogenous silicon nitride coating without any colour variations. To be eligible, the prospective bidders must have a minimum in-house crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing capacity of 60 MW per year. They must have also had an average annual turnover of Rs 4.35 million in the last three financial years. Further, they must have experience in supplying PV cells to reputed module manufacturers certified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Additionally, they must have supplied at least four million M2-sized multi-crystalline cells to Indian module makers outside their country of origin. The delivery is to be made within 30 days of the issue of the material dispatch certificate. The deadline for submission of bids is December 12, 2020.
In June 2020, BHEL had floated a tender for manufacturing and supply of 12 million multi-crystalline solar cells. In February 2020, the company had floated a tender for the manufacture and supply of 12 million units of multi-crystalline solar cells. In September 2020, Okaya has bagged a major contract from BHEL for supply, installation, and commissioning of 410 KWH Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) solution at 3 locations in Delhi for the TERI Project.