Andhra Pradesh’s Mega 1.2 GW Rooftop Solar Tender: Powering Clean Energy for Marginalized Communities Published By Anupam Nath The state of Andhra Pradesh is making significant strides toward a greener and more sustainable future with its recent launch of a massive 1.2 gigawatt (GW) rooftop solar tender. This ambitious initiative, conducted under the flagship scheme PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aims to electrify nearly 600,000 homes belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) households with clean, affordable solar power.Overview of the TenderThe New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) floated this tender in July 2025 to encourage private sector participation in setting up rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on residential buildings across the state. The tender attracted widespread interest from solar developers, culminating in 22 winners who collectively secured capacities ranging from a few megawatts to several hundreds of megawatts.The selected companies are responsible for the complete delivery and installation of rooftop solar systems—from design and engineering to transportation, testing, and commissioning. To ensure quality and sustainability, the modules installed must comply with the domestic content requirement and meet stringent warranty and performance criteria. Selected firms are also mandated to provide five years of operations and maintenance services.Bid Processing Fee and Competitive BiddingParticipants in this competitive bidding process were required to pay a bid processing fee of ₹17,700 (approximately $200). This fee covers administrative and operational costs associated with the tender process, including document verification, management of bid submissions, and maintaining transparency throughout the evaluation process. It acts as a deterrent against frivolous bids, ensuring only serious contenders participate.The bidding deadline was set for November 20, 2025, with the successful bidders expected to complete installation and commissioning within six months. This tight timeline underscores the state government’s commitment to rapid deployment of renewable energy infrastructure.Social and Environmental ImpactThis rooftop solar initiative is not only an energy project but also a social empowerment program. It focuses on marginalized SC/ST communities who typically face challenges in accessing reliable and affordable electricity. By installing solar systems on their rooftops, the scheme provides free clean electricity—up to 300 units per month—helping reduce energy costs and improve quality of life.In addition to alleviating energy poverty, the program is a crucial step in Andhra Pradesh’s climate action roadmap, contributing significantly to India’s renewable energy capacity targets. By promoting distributed generation, the scheme also reduces transmission losses and strengthens grid stability.ConclusionAndhra Pradesh’s 1.2 GW rooftop solar tender represents a landmark effort in democratizing clean energy access and driving India’s green energy transition. The successful execution of this project could serve as a replicable model for other states aiming to combine social welfare with sustainable development.
