The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has decided to engage a consulting agency to conduct a detailed study on solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

The study’s objective is to understand and analyze the useful life and capacity utilization factor (CUF) of solar thermal and solar PV technologies. Consultants are expected to partake in detailed consultation with various stakeholders. The last day for submitting proposals is December 15, 2020.

Scope of work

Prospective consultants are expected to study, analyze and suggest the useful life for solar thermal power projects based on international and national experience for life cycle analysis, apart from the analysis of variation in CUF of solar thermal and solar PV projects (with and without storage) across different regions in India.

They must also analyze international references of solar thermal and solar PV projects with specific analysis of their performance based on the project life, CUF, project technologies, cost of the projects, and construction timelines.

The study must detail the storage technology adopted under different types and sizes of solar thermal and solar PV projects and cover various technologies such as – parabolic trough, power tower, linear fresnel, or any other technology – adopted by solar thermal developers in India and globally.

The study will not only analyze solar policies but also analyze and suggest suitable solar thermal technologies in India for utility size and small-scale projects.

Finally, the consultant would present the study’s detailed findings, including recommendations and suggestions in the report for the Commission’s approval.

Deliverables

The deliverables are effective from the date of signing the agreement, and the assignment should be completed within 120 days. The consultant is expected to submit the inception report at the end of the tenth day, the first progress report by the end of the 30th day, and the second progress report by the end of the 60th day. The first draft of the report should be sent by the end of 90 days.

Prospective consultants are expected to submit the final report by the end of 120 days from the date of signing of the agreement or within 60 days from when the report is accepted by the CERC in its meeting, whichever is later.

In case of any delay, a penalty would be levied on the consultant. In case of any abnormal delay, the study would be completed by an alternate source at the bidder’s cost.

The consultant should provide an irrevocable performance bank guarantee (PBG) valued at 10% of the stipulated amount in the agreement at the time of signing the agreement, valid until three months after the agreement’s expiry. In the event of an extension of the contract, the PBG must be suitably extended by the consultant.

Eligibility Criteria

The consultant’s turnover and net worth should be a minimum of ₹5 million (~$67,504).

The consultant should have completed at least three assignments in the last five years on renewable energy. The consultant should also have experience in advising on regulatory issues regarding renewables, both in general and renewable energy certificate mechanism in particular. Apart from having a legal and financial background, the consultant is expected to have complete knowledge of the Electricity Act, 2003, and policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines issued under the Act.

Last year, the MNRE issued an expression of interest for conducting technical and performance evaluation of its program for off-grid and decentralized concentrated solar thermal technologies.

In April 2019, the MNRE issued a draft quality control order for solar thermal systems as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act to address the lack of quality certification in solar components, which has become a common concern in the sector.

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