EESL Set To Sell Solar Panels Online, Seeks Bids From Module Makers

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Joint Venture under the Ministry of Power is not all set to efficiently sell solar module manufacturers on its e-commerce website EESLMart. The government entity has now issued its first tender in this regard seeking bids from Indian solar module manufacturers.

EESL has now sought tenders from the solar module manufacturers for an annual rate contract for the supply of 2 Gwp of monocrystalline solar modules. As per the mandate of the tender, these solar module manufacturers need to supply these mono solar modules under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) category. 

The tender mandates the bidders to design, manufacture, test and supply these modules to EESL. The government entity said that the Letter of Award will be valid for one year from the date of its issue. It also clarified that once the bidders win the awards, they need to ensure constant price throughout the year. 

Through this tender, EESL is planning to ensure that the solar modules reach directly from the solar module manufacturers to the consumers through the EESL platform. Explaining the procedure, the EESL tender said, “The material shall be allocated by EESL through System Generated Release Orders (ROs)/Purchase Orders indicating the supply location and quantity. EESL shall provide allocation of quantities to be supplied from time to time during the currency of contract with appropriate Dispatch instructions / Release Orders,” the tender document read. 

The company meanwhile also talked about actions in case of delayed deliveries. “In case of delay in delivery of material at site on DDP destination basis, Liquidated Damages (LD) will be applicable as per terms and conditions of the RfP/NOA/LOA/Contract,” the tender said.

EESL has fixed the pre-bidding meet on June 28 in New Delhi. It asked the interested bidders to submit its hard and soft copies by July 7. EESL has asked for EMD ranging from Rs 23 crore to Rs 14 crores based on the packages.

Before issuing the tender, the company had held discussions with the solar module manufacturers to deliberate on the issue of logistics, warehousing and transport issues. EESL through its EESL Mart already sells high efficient air conditioners, BLDC fans, lights and other commodities. The entry of solar modules in this segment is likely to add new avenues where the consumers will be directly empowered to procure the solar panels of their own choice. 

Nevertheless, besides EESL, some companies like Waaree and Loom Solar are already selling their solar modules online through private popular e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart.