The ongoing price war between top global suppliers could catalyse more competitive solar panel pricing in the Indian market, potentially leading to an increase in solar adoption at both the commercial and residential levels.

Alberto Boretti was a senior research professor at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in 2021 when he first started discussing the idea of a hydrogen city in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The New Zealand-based independent tells pv magazine that it is now commercially feasible, as the city’s 200 MW of energy demand would necessitate 1 GW to 1.3 GW of solar and wind capacity, 509 MW to 997 MW of electrolysis capacity, and 145,000 MWh of hydrogen storage capacity.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) has shown its latest lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery at an auto show in Beijing. The Chinese company says it has an energy density of 205 Wh per kg, almost 8% higher than the current state of the art for such batteries.

The ALMM reinstatement opens up a vast market for domestic solar panel manufacturers by creating a non-tariff barrier for Chinese products. However, for projects and schemes such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana which mandate domestic content requirement (DCR), the shortage of domestically manufactured cells could lead to an increase in the cost of DCR modules.

BluPine Energy has secured debt financing from HDFC Bank to develop a 120 MW solar project in Gujarat.

India added 18.5 GW of renewable energy generation capacity in FY 2024, comprising 81% (15 GW) from solar (grid-scale and rooftop).

Avaada Energy has secured about INR 1,190 crore ($143 million) as a 20-year project loan facility from State Bank of India (SBI). It will use the financing to support the development of its 400 MWp utility-scale solar PV power project in Gujarat.

Researchers in Spain has found that combining PV power generation with fuel cells and battery storage may help homes considerably reduce their levelized cost of energy. Their simulation reportedly demonstrated homes may also become completely self-sufficient.

SJVN is accepting bids to develop 1.2 GW of solar power projects, connected to the interstate transmission system, anywhere in India. Bidding closes on June 17.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says a new 100 MW solar project in Bangladesh will be the country’s first private sector utility-scale PV facility to secure ADB support.

The Korea Institute of Energy Research has developed a solid oxide electrolysis cell stack that uses a special kind of separator plate to ensure proper flow of hydrogen and oxigen after water splitting. Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Bumhan Industries are now cooperating with the research center to improve relevant manufacturing process.

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have identified a high-energy, high-power hybrid sodium-ion battery capable of charging in just a few seconds. The system integrates anode materials typically used in batteries with cathodes suitable for supercapacitors.

REC will use the funding to support projects which meet rigorous environmental standards, promote renewable energy and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

IEA PVPS has published its new “Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2024” report, highlighting key insights and trends. Despite record installations, concerns over profitability and manufacturing dynamics persist, underscoring the need for strategic interventions and policy support to navigate towards a resilient and sustainable PV ecosystem.

GameChange Solar, a US-based tracker supplier, has announced the construction of a 3 GW tracker factory in Saudi Arabia, with plans for potential expansion to 5 GW in the future.

Vikram Solar will manufacture and supply bifacial PV modules for Gujarat Industries Power Co. Ltd’s project at the RE Park in Khavda village in Gujarat.

Indian manufacturer Statcon Energiaa has introduced a single-phase grid-tie solar inverter with a power rating of 3 kW. The inverter is intended for residential and small office applications.

Singapore-based Gstar Solar says it has broken ground on a new 3 GW silicon wafer factory in Indonesia, with production scheduled to start by the end of this year.

NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd has invited domestic bids to develop a 260 MW grid-connected solar PV project in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Bidding closes on June 6.

OCI has revealed plans to invest $617.9 million to expand production at its Malaysian manufacturing facility from 35,000 to 56,600 metric tons.

The France-based group said its has released two new BESSs with enclosures of 7ft and 20ft. Their power ranges from 60 kW to 500 kW.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued its first report on the importance of battery energy storage technology in the energy transition. It has found that tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 would require 1,500 GW of battery storage.

Waaree Energies will manufacture and supply 400 MW of bifacial solar PV modules to Gujarat Industries Power Co. Ltd’s (GIPCL) project in Gujarat.

Ohmium International (Ohmium), a green hydrogen company that designs, manufactures and deploys advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, has partnered with Tata Projects, an EPC company, to execute green hydrogen projects in India.

Electric three-wheeler (e-3W) sales in India surpassed 580,000 in 2023, compared to 320,000 sold in China.

Green credits offer a vital mechanism for incentivizing environmentally positive actions beyond just corporations, involving individuals and communities. By providing tangible benefits for sustainable practices, such as renewable energy adoption and conservation efforts, green credits engage the public at large, fostering widespread participation in combating climate change.

India is investing in facilities and infrastructure to recycle batteries and recover valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. By doing this, we can reduce our need for new materials and minimize the environmental impact of battery production.

The demand-supply gap for skilled workers in solar and green hydrogen sectors is a significant challenge for India’s transition towards a sustainable future. However, by prioritizing comprehensive skilling initiatives and fostering strong collaborations between the government, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, the nation can effectively bridge this gap and unlock the full potential of its renewable energy and sustainability ambitions.

With its versatility and potential for decarbonization, hydrogen is scripting a new chapter in the narrative of clean energy.

Overcoming industry challenges requires collective efforts and partnerships that foster innovation and shared growth. This is why digital ecosystems are now becoming the buzz words and a necessity for the manufacturing companies in the renewable energy value chains.