The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) invited bids for operation and maintenance (O&M) of a 1 MW grid-connected rooftop solar project in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Island. The agreement of O&M will stay for five years from the date of the issue of notification of award. The deadline to submit the bids is 23 August 2021. The bidders do not have to pay any money deposit to participate in the bidding process. The work of the solar projects includes regular operations of 1 MW rooftop solar systems installed in 13 government offices in Port Blair. The winning bidder will have to do the necessary routine, breakdown, and preventive maintenance. The maintenance services should ensure the proper functioning of the rooftop solar system and power evacuation system, as mentioned in the tender. All the routine, preventive maintenance, breakdown, and corrective maintenance are required to ensure maximum uptime. The bidder should have provided O&M services to grid-connected rooftop solar projects for a minimum of one year to participate in the bidding. The projects can include one 800 kW, two of 500 kW, or three of 400 kW. Limited liability and proprietorship partnerships, NGOs, educational bodies, and charitable trusts can participate in the bidding process. The bidding processing fees are obsolete for registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) bidders. According to the tender, the bidders should have an annual financial turnover of at least Rs 306,500 during the last three financial years, and the bidder should have a positive net worth for the previous financial year. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has announced the fixed charges and energy of rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects in Andaman & Nicobar Islands for FY 2021-22. It has a 59% reduction in energy charges for residential rooftop solar power with a power consumption of 100 kWh to 200 kWh. The power consumer has to pay only Rs 2.05 per kWh, compared to Rs 5 kWh in the same category without solar power. Image Source Also read: SECI invites bids for 100 MW solar plant in Chhattisgarh Also read: SECI floats tender for 1,200 MW ISTS solar projects in Karnataka