MAHAPREIT Issues Bid for 100 MW Rooftop Solar Projects Under RESCO Model

Maharashtra-based renewable energy agency MAHAPREIT has issued a request for proposal (RFP)  to select solar power developers for the deployment of 100 MW of Behind-the-Meter (BTM) rooftop solar projects across the state under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

The tender aims to accelerate rooftop solar adoption among MSMEs and other eligible consumers while promoting energy storage integration.

The scope of work includes design, engineering, financing, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and comprehensive operation and maintenance of rooftop solar projects for a period of 25 years. The projects will be developed with and without Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), allowing consumers to access clean energy without any upfront capital expenditure.

The tender has been divided into four equal categories of 25 MW each. These include solar-only projects ranging from 20 kW to 100 kW (A1-S), solar projects with 30 percent BESS and two-hour storage for the same capacity range (A1-B), solar-only systems between 101 kW and 250 kW (A2-S), and solar projects with mandatory 50 percent BESS and two-hour storage for capacities between 101 kW and 250 kW (A2-B). MAHAPREIT will conduct four independent tariff discoveries, with separate L1 bidders identified for each category.

A key feature of the tender is the requirement for developers to quote a fixed tariff for the entire 25-year power purchase agreement period. No annual tariff escalation will be permitted, and bidders must submit separate financial bids for every category in which they participate. The tender also mandates compliance with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for both solar modules and cells.

To participate, developers must demonstrate experience in commissioning at least 2 MW of grid-connected rooftop, ground-mounted, or BTM solar projects during the last five years, with at least one project operating successfully for a minimum of one year. Bidders seeking to participate in BESS categories must additionally show prior battery storage deployment experience of at least 0.5 MW/1 MWh or provide a valid agreement with a certified BESS technology provider.

Financial eligibility requirements have been linked to the bid capacity. Developers must possess a minimum net worth of INR 25 lakh per MW of proposed capacity or demonstrate turnover of at least INR 1 crore per MW. For the minimum bid size of 5 MW, this translates into a net worth requirement of INR 1.25 crore or turnover of INR 5 crore. Consortiums of up to three entities are permitted, provided the lead member holds at least 51 percent equity.

The tender requires a minimum bid capacity of 5 MW and allows bids up to 75 MW across all categories. Additionally, at least 10 percent of the total bid quantity must be allocated to the smaller-capacity A1 categories. Bid security has been fixed at INR 2.25 lakh per MW per category, while the performance bank guarantee has been set at 2.5 percent of the work order value.

The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2026, while bid submissions will close on June 23, 2026. Technical bids are slated to be opened on June 24, 2026. Through the tender, MAHAPREIT aims to aggregate rooftop solar demand across Maharashtra, support compliance with the state's renewable energy policies, and encourage the adoption of battery storage solutions for enhanced energy reliability and grid support.