A solar photovoltaic (SPV) lantern (Solar lantern) is a lighting system consisting of a lamp, battery and electronics, all placed in a suitable housing, made of metal or plastic or fiber glass, and a photovoltaic (PV) module. Electricity generated by PV module charges the battery. The lantern is a portable lighting device suitable for either indoor or outdoor lighting, covering a full range of 360 degrees. A lighting device which does not have omni-directional lighting will not be classified as a solar lantern in the present context.

The “Development of Solar Cities” programme by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, is an immense opportunity for contributing towards a sustainable India in the coming years. This programme is a crucial step towards supporting Indian cities for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and curbing conventional energy demand by 10% in the next five years. This master plan is the outcome of the programme’s objective to develop a road map for the city to envision and implement renewable energy and energy conservation strategies.

The “Development of Solar Cities” programme by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, is an immense opportunity for contributing towards a sustainable India in the coming years. This programme is a crucial step towards supporting Indian cities for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and curbing conventional energy demand by 10% in the next five years. This master plan is the outcome of the programme’s objective is to develop a road map for the city to envision and implement renewable energy and energy conservation strategies.

This Request for Proposal (RfP) document is not an agreement or offer by the Procure/Authorised Representative to the prospective Bidders or any other party. The purpose of this RfP is to provide interested parties with information to assist the formulation of their Bid. This RfP is based on material and information available in public domain.

The objective of the Programme is to provide basic lighting facilities through renewable energy sources in those unelectrified remote census villages, unelectrified hamlets of electrified census villages where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective & not covered under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) and electrified villages/hamlets where power availability is less than 6 hours per day averaged over the year.

A UNDP/GEF Global Solar Water Heating Project is also under implementation by the Ministry which aims at accelerating the market development of solar water heating and facilitating the installation of 5 million m2 of installed collector area by 2012.The objective of the project is to leverage the Ministry’s National Programme and create markets and widespread demand for solar water heating in different demand sectors especially in the thus far untapped potential areas. So far several studies/ activities have been undertaken which has helped in boosting the market to a large extent.

This document contains the Report of the working group on new and renewable energy for XITH five year plan (2007-12) . The 5 Programmes proposed for 11th plan are: (i) Grid-Interactive and Distributed Renewable Power; (ii) Renewable Energy for Rural Applications; (iii) Renewable Energy for Urban, Industrial & Commercial Applications; (iv) Research, Design & Development for New & Renewable Energy;; and (v) Supporting Programmes.

MNRE has initiated systematic programmes for renewables including for research and development. Renewable energy is currently experiencing increasing vibrancy across all sectors of the economy driven by sustained economic growth and growing global concerns regarding climate change. There are various stakeholders that directly/indirectly contribute towards the promotion of renewable energy, and each one has some aspirations and expectations from this sector, just as they have a significant responsibility.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a National Programme on Solar Water Heating aimed at peak shaving, conservation of electricity and fossil fuels and providing a clean, non-polluting solution for water

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy entrusted ADaRSH with the formulation and development of guidelines and benchmarks for Large Developments including educational institute campuses, housing societies and townships, residential campuses, etc.