The Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project was an important initiative aimed at promoting rooftop solar power generation across Gujarat. Following the successful implementation of the Gandhinagar Solar Rooftop PV Project, the Gujarat Government planned to replicate a similar model in five major cities: Vadodara, Rajkot, Mehsana, Surat, and Bhavnagar.
Under the project, a total target of 25 MW of grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) capacity was planned across these five cities.
Important Note: The tender and bidding information mentioned in this article belongs to the original 2012–2014 project documents. It should not be treated as a current 2026 solar subsidy or active tender.
What Was the Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project?
The project was designed to encourage the installation of Solar PV systems on rooftops of residential, commercial, industrial, government, and public buildings.
The project followed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-based model, where selected private developers would invest in rooftop solar installations, own and operate the systems, and maintain them for the agreed project period.
Rooftop owners would provide their rooftops to the developers through lease arrangements and could receive income in the form of a Green Incentive.
Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project: City-Wise Capacity
| Sr. No. | City | DISCOM | Planned Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhavnagar | PGVCL | 3.5 MW |
| 2 | Rajkot | PGVCL | 6.5 MW |
| 3 | Mehsana | UGVCL | 5.0 MW |
| 4 | Surat | DGVCL | 5.0 MW |
| 5 | Vadodara | MGVCL | 5.0 MW |
| Total | 5 Cities | — | 25 MW |
Solar Rooftop Project Packages
The 25 MW project was divided into three packages for developer selection.
| Package | Cities | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Package-A | Vadodara & Mehsana | 10 MW |
| Package-B | Rajkot & Bhavnagar | 10 MW |
| Package-C | Surat | 5 MW |
| Total | 5 Cities | 25 MW |
Package-A
The package included solar rooftop projects in Vadodara and Mehsana, with a minimum planned capacity of 5 MW in each city.
Package-B
The package covered Rajkot and Bhavnagar, with approximately 6.5 MW planned for Rajkot and 3.5 MW for Bhavnagar.
Package-C
The third package covered Surat, with a planned capacity of 5 MW.
How Was the Solar Rooftop Model Designed?
The project was structured around cooperation between rooftop owners, private solar developers, and electricity distribution companies.
The selected developers were responsible for:
- Investing in the solar PV systems
- Installing solar panels on eligible rooftops
- Owning the installed systems
- Operating and maintaining the systems
- Generating electricity
- Selling generated electricity to the concerned DISCOM
- Entering into lease agreements with rooftop owners
- Paying Green Incentives to eligible rooftop owners
Role of Rooftop Owners
Residential, commercial, industrial, government, and public building owners could make their rooftops available for solar installations.
The rooftop owner would enter into an appropriate Lease Agreement and Green Incentive Agreement with the selected project developer.
This model was intended to allow property owners to generate additional income by making their unused rooftop space available for solar power generation.
Major Agreements Under the Project
The project included three major types of agreements:
1. Project Implementation Agreement
This agreement was to be executed between the selected developer and Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL).
2. Power Purchase Agreement
The developer would enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with the concerned electricity distribution company.
3. Green Incentive & Lease Agreement
This agreement would be made between the project developer and the rooftop/property owner.
Developer Selection Process
The Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project proposed an International Competitive Bidding Process for selecting project developers.
Selected developers were expected to develop the assigned rooftop solar projects and supply the generated electricity to the concerned electricity distribution companies under the terms specified in the project documents.
The project was planned for a long-term period of 25 years.
Organizations Involved
The project documents referred to several government and electricity-sector organizations, including:
- Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL)
- Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL)
- Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL)
- Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL)
- Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL)
- Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL)
- Energy & Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat
Original Bidding Timeline
According to the supplied project documents, the bidding process took place during the 2012–2014 period.
The original deadline for bid submission was February 3, 2014, which was later extended to:
February 20, 2014, before 12:00 PM.
The technical bids were scheduled to be opened after 3:00 PM on February 20, 2014.
Bid Document Fee
According to the original document, bidders were required to submit a ₹20,000 Demand Draft to obtain the bid documents.
Why Was the Project Important?
The rooftop solar initiative was designed to increase the use of renewable energy and make productive use of otherwise unused rooftop space.
Major potential benefits included:
- Increasing solar power generation
- Promoting clean and renewable energy
- Utilizing unused rooftop areas
- Encouraging private-sector investment
- Supporting decentralized electricity generation
- Creating an additional income opportunity for eligible rooftop owners
- Reducing dependence on conventional energy sources
Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project – Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project |
| Project Type | Grid-Connected Solar PV |
| Total Planned Capacity | 25 MW |
| Cities Covered | Vadodara, Rajkot, Mehsana, Surat & Bhavnagar |
| Project Model | PPP-Based Model |
| Main Technology | Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) |
| Developer Selection | Competitive Bidding |
| Project Period | 25 Years |
| Rooftop Types | Residential, Commercial, Industrial & Public Buildings |
| Implementing Agency | GPCL |
| Electricity Distribution Companies | PGVCL, MGVCL, DGVCL & UGVCL |
Conclusion
The Gujarat Solar Rooftop Project was an early large-scale initiative designed to expand rooftop solar generation across five major Gujarat cities. With a combined planned capacity of 25 MW, the project aimed to connect rooftop solar systems to the electricity grid while creating a partnership between private developers, rooftop owners, and DISCOMs.
The model also introduced the concept of providing Green Incentives to rooftop owners, encouraging property owners to participate in renewable-energy generation.
Disclaimer
The tender dates, bidding information, capacity targets, and other project details in this article are based on the historical project document provided above and relate to the 2012–2014 period. They should not be considered current 2026 subsidy, application, or tender information. Readers should verify the latest information from the relevant Gujarat Government or DISCOM authorities before taking any action.
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