Bihar Plans To Build Solar Project On Private Pond, Issues Tender

Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) recently issued a tender to procure solar power from a 20 MW grid-connected solar project. The project is planned under the RESCO mode and will be located on a private pond in Bihar. The tender would open and end on 20th February 2025. It bidding for the tender would open at around 04:00 PM and close on the same day at 05:00 PM.

The tender has sought a proposal to develop the grid-connected solar project (ground-mounted with a raised structure over the pond) for a minimum capacity of 2 MW AC and in multiple of 1 MW maximum of up to 20 MW (AC).

The geographical conditions of Bihar limit the potential for harnessing wind and hydropower. Solar energy remains the primary source of renewable energy that can be effectively utilized in the state. A significant portion of the land in Bihar is agricultural and, therefore, unsuitable for installing solar power plants. In the northern region of the state, some land remains waterlogged for 3-6 months a year, making it viable for fishing and other agricultural activities. Such land may also be used for installing solar power projects by increasing the height of the module mounting structure. Additionally, man-made ponds, where water is available for 8-9 months a year, may be utilized for ground-mounted solar projects with a raised structure.

Solar Project Over Pond

To tap into the potential of solar pond installations, BREDA’s latest tender proposes developing solar projects over ponds. The tender specifies that the solar project will have a raised structure over the pond. It adds, “The minimum acceptable height of the ground-mounted raised structure over the pond will be 14 ft, and the maximum will be 20 ft from the bottom surface of the pond. This height range is intended to maintain the pond’s biodiversity (such as algae formation) so that fisheries and other agricultural activities can continue without disturbance.”

The tender further explains, “During the selection of the pond for the project, the bidder must ensure that water remains available in the pond for 10 to 11 months of the year.” The selected solar developer is expected to install Mono PERC, crystalline silicon, or other commercially established technologies, with or without trackers. It further states, “Only commercially established and operational technologies can be used to minimize technology risks and achieve timely commissioning of the project.”