TGREDCO 46.7 MW Rooftop Solar Tender 2026: Solarising 9,937 Telangana Schools

Key Takeaways

• Agency: Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO)
• Capacity: 46,705 kW (approximately 46.7 MW) across 9,937 government schools
• Coverage: All 33 districts of Telangana
• Technology: TOPCon solar modules mandated
• Model: EPC with 5-year comprehensive maintenance
• Completion timeline: 180 days from work order
• Bid security: Rs 5.8 crore
• Eligibility: Minimum 24 MW installed capacity + Rs 145 crore annual turnover

What Is This Tender?

On June 1, 2026, Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO) issued Tender Notice No. TGREDCO/SE/SPV/GCRT/2026-27 for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of on-grid rooftop solar PV power plants across 9,937 government schools throughout Telangana.

This is one of the largest school solarisation tenders issued by any Indian state in 2026. With an aggregate capacity of 46.7 MW spread across all 33 districts, the project represents a major push by the Telangana government to reduce electricity costs for educational institutions while demonstrating the state's commitment to its renewable energy targets.

A notable feature of this tender is the mandatory use of TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar modules — a higher-efficiency n-type technology that is increasingly becoming the standard in government procurement. This signals a broader industry shift away from conventional PERC modules toward next-generation technologies that offer better performance in diffuse light and higher temperature conditions, both relevant in Telangana's climate.

Project Scope and Plant Size Distribution

The 9,937 schools will receive rooftop solar systems in three capacity tiers based on the school's electricity load:

Each installation includes:

• Design and engineering of rooftop solar PV system
• Supply of TOPCon solar modules and standard mounting structures
• Installation, testing, and commissioning
• Remote Monitoring System (RMS) for centralised performance tracking
• 5-year comprehensive maintenance contract post-commissioning

The Remote Monitoring System requirement is significant — it means the selected EPC company must invest in a monitoring platform capable of tracking thousands of small installations across 33 districts, which is a meaningful operational challenge and also a competitive differentiator for bidders with existing monitoring infrastructure.

Technology Requirement: Why TOPCon?

TGREDCO's mandate for TOPCon modules in this tender is part of a broader shift in Indian government procurement. TOPCon modules offer:

• Higher efficiency — typically 22–23% vs 20–21% for PERC, meaning smaller footprint for the same output
• Better low-light and high-temperature performance — relevant for Telangana's hot and often overcast monsoon conditions
• Lower degradation rates — important for a project with 5+ years of guaranteed maintenance
• Compatibility with ALMM List-I — the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's approved module list, which most government tenders now require

For EPC companies, the TOPCon mandate means procurement from approved domestic manufacturers. Key ALMM-listed TOPCon module makers include Waaree, Adani Solar, Premier Energies (Telangana-based), and Vikram Solar.

Eligibility Criteria

The 24 MW minimum installation experience threshold and Rs 145 crore turnover requirement effectively screen for established EPC companies with meaningful track records. This is not a tender for first-time solar contractors. However, companies that have executed government rooftop programmes in other states — PM Kusum, state DISCOM rooftop schemes, or other RESCO projects — should comfortably qualify.

Milestone-Based Execution Timeline

The project must be completed within 180 days from the issuance of the work order. TGREDCO has specified milestone-based targets to ensure timely execution across the large number of school sites:

This phased milestone structure is common in large multi-site government projects and allows TGREDCO to track execution progress and apply penalties for delays early in the project lifecycle. For EPC bidders, meeting these milestones across 9,937 schools in 33 districts requires robust project management, logistics, and field teams.

Bidding Process and Selection Methodology

• Bid selection: Lowest-price (L1) methodology
• Pre-bid meeting: June 6, 2026 (completed)
• Bid submission: June 7–22, 2026
• Technical bids opened: June 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM
• Commercial bids opened: June 25, 2026

The L1 (lowest bidder wins) selection approach means price competition will be intense. Bidders with access to cost-efficient TOPCon module supply chains, existing field teams in Telangana, and strong O&M infrastructure will have the most competitive cost structures.

What This Means for Telangana Solar Buyers and EPC Companies

For Telangana-based EPC companies, this is a strategically important tender. With 9,937 sites across all 33 districts, the execution scale favours companies with distributed field presence and installation teams already operational in Telangana. Local EPC players with government project experience — particularly those who have executed PM Kusum or DISCOM rooftop schemes — are well-positioned.

For national EPC companies, the sheer scale of 46.7 MW across thousands of small-system sites requires a different operating model than large utility-scale plants. Supply chain logistics, skilled manpower deployment, and real-time monitoring at scale are the key differentiators.

For industrial and commercial solar buyers in Telangana, this tender is a strong policy signal. TGREDCO is actively procuring solar at scale and mandating modern technologies like TOPCon. The state's willingness to invest in distributed solar at this scale — and to mandate 5-year O&M — reflects a maturing solar ecosystem that benefits all buyers, including industrial captive solar users.

Telangana has been one of India's more progressive states on open-access solar for commercial and industrial consumers. If you are evaluating solar options for your Telangana facility, see our guide to solar EPC for industrial projects in Telangana for a comprehensive overview of the regulatory environment, tariffs, and procurement options.

About TGREDCO

Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO) is the renewable energy nodal agency for the Government of Telangana. TGREDCO has been active in 2026 with multiple rooftop solar tenders — including a separate 19 MW ground-mounted solar programme at substations — and has consistently pushed for advanced module technologies and structured O&M requirements in its procurement. The agency also oversees Telangana's renewable energy targets under the state's energy policy framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

What technology does the TGREDCO school solar tender mandate?

TGREDCO has specifically mandated TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar modules for this project. This is one of the first large-scale government school solarisation tenders in India to explicitly require n-type TOPCon technology, reflecting the growing cost-competitiveness of TOPCon modules and their superior performance characteristics.

How many schools will receive solar in each district?

TGREDCO has not publicly released a district-wise breakdown in the tender notice. The 9,937 schools are distributed across all 33 districts. The mix of 2 kW, 5 kW, and 10 kW systems will depend on each school's electricity load — 2,025 schools get 2 kW, 7,293 schools get 5 kW, and 619 schools get 10 kW systems.

What is the O&M obligation under this tender?

The selected EPC company must provide 5 years of comprehensive maintenance from the commissioning date. This includes maintenance of the solar panels, inverters, mounting structures, and the Remote Monitoring System.

Can a consortium bid for this tender?

The tender document specifies that bids can be submitted from eligible entities meeting the 24 MW installation and Rs 145 crore turnover criteria. Whether consortium bidding is permitted would be specified in the detailed RfS document available on the TGREDCO/TSREDCO portal.

How does this compare to other TGREDCO tenders in 2026?

TGREDCO has also floated a separate tender for 19 MW of ground-mounted solar plants at 18 substations across Telangana and a 986 kW rooftop tender for Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) depots. The 46.7 MW schools tender is the largest of TGREDCO's 2026 distributed solar procurements by capacity.

Sources

• Telangana Floats Tender For 46.7 MW Solar Rooftop Systems Across 9,937 Government Schools — SolarQuarter (June 16, 2026)
• Telangana Floats Tender to Solarise Around 10,000 Schools, Mandates TOPCon Modules — Saurenergy
• Telangana Invites Bids For 46.7 MW Rooftop Solar Project — Mercom India
• TGREDCO Official Portal