Western India to see solar growth with 2360 kW rooftop installations

SJVN Limited has invited bids for developing rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across central government buildings in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The initiative, totalling 2,360 kilowatts (kW) in capacity, forms part of the national clean energy movement and is aligned with India’s broader aim of reducing dependency on fossil fuels while maximising the use of renewable energy infrastructure. Issued under the umbrella of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the bid process marks a significant milestone for the Western region’s public infrastructure transition to solar. The procurement will be executed under a RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model, wherein developers will install, operate and maintain the solar rooftop systems while selling power to the concerned departments under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The model encourages private sector participation and tariff-based competitive bidding, ensuring economic feasibility without the need for direct Central financial assistance.

With the bidding window closing on 28 May 2025, the project targets timely mobilisation. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled in New Delhi for 16 May, and all interested parties are required to submit their bids through the designated e-tendering platform. The detailed Request for Selection (RfS) document is available for download on official portals, emphasising transparency and ease of access for potential bidders. The cost of the RfS document has been pegged at ₹5,900, while an earnest money deposit of ₹1,000 per kW must be submitted, with flexibility in payment methods including NEFT, RTGS, bank guarantees and insurance surety bonds. While the initiative will not receive capital subsidies from the Centre, developers can still avail of fiscal benefits such as tax holidays, concessional duties and accelerated depreciation. This policy structure underscores India’s evolving solar market, where viability is increasingly driven by market competitiveness rather than government subsidies.

The projects will be implemented across government buildings falling under key Union Ministries, particularly those related to agriculture, consumer affairs and chemicals. In doing so, the scheme reinforces the government’s dual objectives of reducing power costs in public infrastructure and increasing energy independence in high-consumption departments. SJVN, acting as the Scheme Implementation Partner, is tasked with ensuring that developers adhere strictly to the technical and legal framework laid out in the RfS. The project aligns with India’s national target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and will contribute to lowering carbon footprints of government facilities in the region.

This rooftop solar rollout also holds greater symbolic weight in the climate resilience narrative. As Indian cities grapple with extreme weather events and escalating power demands, decentralised solar power stands out as a reliable and sustainable energy solution. Projects like this one offer an eco-conscious alternative that can help bridge the energy gap without intensifying environmental degradation. Although modest in capacity, the project demonstrates a replicable framework that can be scaled across India’s extensive government infrastructure. Its success could set a precedent, reaffirming the country’s commitment to greener governance and an equitable energy transition.

Western India to see solar growth with 2360 kW rooftop installations