SECI extends deadlines for 500MW residential rooftop solar tender

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Only 25-30% of the allocated capacities in the 2016 tender overall have been installed so far. Credit: The Climate Group

The deadline for developers to complete their allocations and encash bank guarantees under a 500MW residential and non-profit rooftops solar tender in India has been extended from 31 March to 30 June this year.

One rooftop developer, which had bagged a small amount of capacity under the tender, sent a letter to the procurer, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), requesting a deadline extension up to 31 October this year, given that it had only managed to complete a third of its allocation at the time of writing.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The tender was finalised in October 2016.

The developer claimed various force Majeure instances including the Demonetisation incident last year and the imposition of the GST tax. It also claimed that there was a shortage of staff at SECI required for site inspections and internal processes.

In a response seen by PV Tech, SECI refuted these claims as “false and baseless”, however, it also granted the deadline extension – albeit only to 30 June – without imposing any penalties. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will also be available at a 30% or 70% rate of either the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) benchmark price or the lowest tariffs in the tender, whichever is lowest.

PV Tech understands that only 25-30% of the allocated capacities in the tender overall have been installed so far and that multiple developers had written similar letters to SECI.

Nonetheless, one such developer, Gensol, has completed its allotted projects and has set its sights on doubling its allocated capacity.

Ali Imran Naqvi, head of operations, Gensol, told PV Tech that SECI's rooftop allocations had the potential to catapult the central government's 40GW rooftop target for 2020 to a correct trajectory, but some structural changes unveiled by the government had stymied the pace of installations. Furthermore, while project execution did gain some traction during the second half of 2016, there remains much to be done.

Naqvi added: “It is certainly a good step by SECI to relax the deadline till June 2018, but the situation merits serious consideration and some more time would inspire confidence in the developers.”

Read Next

September 4, 2025
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, the joint forum of the Centre and States, has reduced the GST rate on renewable energy components from 12% to 5%. 
September 4, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Waaree Energies has acquired a 64% equity stake in power transformer manufacturing company Kotsons.
September 3, 2025
US residential solar prices have remained at historic lows in the first half of the year despite market uncertainty and continued high interest rates.
September 3, 2025
India has added 2.8GW of rooftop solar in H1 2025, a 158% year-on-year surge from just 1.1GW in the same period last year.
September 2, 2025
SMA Solar has forecast financial losses and further restructuring measures in 2025, as it responds to falling sales and a “challenging” market for residential and commercial renewable energy installations.
September 1, 2025
California's solar and storage association has called for US$10 million fines for PG&E and SCE for failing to approve residential solar and storage projects applications quickly.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines