Uma Gupta
12 GW ‘new’ solar with VGF support approved
The president of India has approved the Rs 8580 crore viability gap funding (VGF) support for state-run generators to set up 12 GW of solar projects using domestically-made equipment over the next four years.
CleanMax Solar’s 736kWp rooftop plant is India’s largest for jail complex
The Gurugram-based commercial solar player has installed a 736 kWp rooftop solar plant at Mandoli Jail in Delhi. The power generated from the plant—built on ‘pay-as-you-go’ model—will cost about 50% cheaper than grid electricity.
NLC completes 591 MW solar power projects in Tamil Nadu
State-owned NLC India Ltd – formerly the Neyveli Lignite Corporation – has commissioned 150 MW of solar power projects at Ramanathapuram and Virudhanagar Districts of Tamil Nadu, taking its total installed solar power capacity in the state to 591 MW.
BHEL installs first solar EV charging station
State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has installed the first solar electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the upcoming network on Delhi-Chandigarh Highway.
Solar buying from India, China rises as US imposes steel tariffs
US companies have boosted sourcing of completed racks from abroad in order to avoid the tariff on raw material [steel] imports, says Bloomberg.
Urja Global to make electric cars and Lithium-ion batteries in Andhra Pradesh
New Delhi based Urja Global will set up an integrated plant for electric vehicles and Lithium-ion batteries at an investment of Rs 200 crore. The announcement comes hot on the heels of US-based Tecchren Batteries’ Lithium-ion venture in the state.
Cabinet approves FAME II scheme for electric vehicles
The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over a period of three years will be implemented from April 1, 2019. It envisages setting up of about 2700 charging stations across the country so that at least one charging station is available in a grid of 3×3 km2.
“The best is yet to come in off-grid solar” – Greenlight senior VP
India is the world’s largest market for distributed, small-scale household solar, according to a report by off-grid energy’s industry association GOGLA. By the middle of last year, it accounted for 30% of global off-grid solar product sales. Dhaval Radia, senior VP at Greenlight Planet (a solar energy solutions provider to rural consumers) gives pv magazine his insights into the market.
SECI tenders 97.5MW rooftop solar projects for government buildings
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for implementation of 97.5MWp grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems on government buildings in different States/Union Territories of India. The projects, under both CAPEX and RESCO models, will be awarded through international competitive bidding. The deadline for bid submission is March 27.
Solar made up 50% of India’s new power capacity in 2018
The level of new solar capacity – 8,263 MW – however, was 15.5% down from the 9,782 MW added in 2017 owing to safeguarding duty and GST taking a toll on large-scale PV. While utility-scale solar declined 23% year-on-year, rooftop PV remained a bright spot, and registered impressive growth of 66%.
