Indian government’s engineering and manufacturing arm Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from reputed global original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to source multi-crystalline and mono PERC solar cells from.

BHEL’s Solar Business Division (SBD) operates a 200 MW solar PV module manufacturing fab in Bangalore, from where it supplies to state and central government organizations and other private companies in India.

These contracts are deemed necessary by the management to cope up with market demand with an aim to lower the cost and procurement cycle and time taken to complete the order, which would be possible if there is a prior understanding with prospective suppliers on its procedures, systems and technical specifications along with commercial conditions.

“Under the present business scenario and unprecedented demand for SPV MODULES, we have decided to review our procedures and system related to the procurement of various raw material to enable our vendors for speedy response against our enquiries & REDUCING THE TIME FOR CONVERSION OF ENQUIRY TO PO,” it states in the call.

It seeks delivery of cells representing a total capacity of 15 MW, every 30 days from the date of purchase order (PO) limited to the quantity. Cell specifications are mentioned as having 5 busbar, 200 ± 20 thickness, with 156.75 ± 0.5 x 156.75 ± 0.5 or 158.75 ± 0.5 x 158.75 ± 0.5 dimension in mm. Each multi-crystalline silicon cell to have 4.67W, and each mono PERC crystalline silicon cell to have 5.37W output.

Last date to submit EOIs is August 16, 2021, according to the tender document.

Of late, BHEL has been issuing several tenders to source solar cells (see India PV News Snippets: SECI, SWSL, NTPC, BHEL, REIL).