In a significant move to scale up renewable energy adoption in Bihar, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to develop 275 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects across the state. The tender has been floated on behalf of both SBPDCL and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) under a government-backed rooftop solar programme, reports Solarquarter.
The projects will be implemented for approximately 2.5 lakh Kutir Jyoti households spread across 18 power distribution circles in Bihar, with nine circles each under North and South Bihar. The initiative is being rolled out under the Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model of the PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to accelerate rooftop solar adoption among residential consumers, particularly economically weaker households.
Under the ULA framework, distribution companies act as aggregators by identifying eligible households, coordinating installations, and streamlining approvals and execution. This model is designed to reduce procedural burdens on consumers and enable faster, more structured deployment of rooftop solar systems. The tender allows participation under both CAPEX and RESCO modes, providing flexibility to developers and implementing agencies.
As per the tender conditions, the minimum system size will start from 1.1 kW per rooftop. The primary objective of the project is to provide clean and affordable electricity to low-income households, helping them lower or eliminate their electricity bills through rooftop solar generation.
The bidding process is open to eligible agencies, firms, and government undertakings. Bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹1 lakh per MW, along with a tender document fee of ₹25,000 plus applicable GST. All tender-related documents and updates will be available on the Bihar government’s e-procurement portal.
According to the announced schedule, the RFP download period will commence on January 15, 2026, at 10:00 hours. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2026, at 15:30 hours, while the deadline for online bid submission is January 29, 2026, at 18:00 hours. The technical bids will be opened on January 30, 2026, at 16:00 hours.
The large-scale rooftop solar rollout is expected to significantly boost Bihar’s solar capacity, which remains relatively modest compared to other states. Through the Utility-Led Aggregation model, the government aims to ensure that the benefits of the PM Surya Ghar scheme reach vulnerable households while strengthening the state’s renewable energy ecosystem.
