The long read: Putting solar capital to work
Venture capital investment in solar and energy storage companies in sub-Saharan Africa brings with it considerable risk, but also holds the promise of making an outsized impact in delivering clean energy access. KawiSafi Ventures Managing Director Amar Inamdar says that venture capital investment in frontier markets will be a key part of the “capital stack” required to pursue the joint goals of leapfrogging fossil fuel energy development in the continent and lighting up African lives.
Goldi Solar supplies 9+ MW PV panels to Odisha project
The Gujarat-based solar manufacturer has entered the Odisha market by completing the supply of 9+ MW PV panels for a PV project in the state.
Reliance, Ola, Rajesh Exports sign agreement to make batteries under PLI Scheme
The three companies will receive incentives under the government’s production-linked incentives scheme for battery storage. The scheme has an overall budgetary outlay of INR 18,100 crore (around US$ 2,284 million).
India has installed more than 57.7 GW of solar
The nation reached a cumulative 57.7 GW of solar power generation capacity by June 30, 2022. Rajasthan (14.4 GW), Gujarat (7.8 GW), and Karnataka (7.6 GW) top in PV installations.
Cooling down solar modules with cotton wicks immersed in water
The novel technique consists of attaching cotton wicks immersed in the water (CWIWs) to the backside photovoltaic module. The water is supplied to cotton wicks from top to bottom by gravity which the scientists said helps the effective absorption of cotton and reduces water consumption.
India may fall behind its 2030 EV sales forecast
A new report says India will have only 50 million electric vehicles (EVs) on road by 2030 despite a ramp-up in domestic manufacturing, falling behind by 40% on the cumulative sales projections by NITI Aayog. It also recommends policy measures to improve India’s chances of realizing 80 million EV sales by 2030.
NTPC launches tender for 1.15 GW solar, 150 MW/150 MWh battery storage in Cuba
NTPC, as a project management consultant to Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE), has launched bids to develop 1.15 GW of grid-connected solar and 150 MW/150 MWh battery storage projects in Cuba. The prospective developer will execute the project on a ‘build-own-operate-transfer’ basis and transfer to UNE after 25 years.
Solar panel sizes continue to get larger and improve LCOE, says TrendForce report
A new report from the Taiwanese market research company shows growth in the production of modules over 600 W and increased format size. Cells and wafers are getting larger as well.
New tech to produce hydrogen from tap water
A Spanish scientist has developed a system that reportedly produces hydrogen on-site without expensive electrolysis.
TERI draws up roadmap to India’s 2030 renewable energy goal
A new report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) examines the challenges before India in achieving its ambitious target of having 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity and meeting 50% of its energy requirements from renewables by 2030. It also discusses feasible pathways for achieving these.
