The Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a public sector enterprise under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has floated a tender to supply 1.5 million multicrystalline solar cells. The bid submission deadline is June 24, 2022.
As per the tender guidelines, the bidders must submit a Rs 1 million earnest money deposit. Bids can only be submitted by the original manufacturers or designated representatives. Manufacturers must be able to produce a minimum of 30 MW of multicrystalline solar cells per year in-house. The cells must be five busbar cells with a wattage of 4.68W. Their dimensions must be either 156.75 x 156.75 ± 0.25 mm or 157 x 157 ± 0.25 mm. They must have a thickness of 200 μm ± 20 μm. A silicon nitride anti-reflective coating is also required. A silver busbar width of 0.8 mm 0.2 mm in the front and 1.5 mm 0.3 mm in the back is required for the cells.
In November 2021, CEL was cleared for sale by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for Rs 2.1 billion to Nandal Finance and Leasing. Following Air India, the government is selling its second strategic stake.
