The long read: Your solar+storage business plan
With many developers now working on solar+storage projects, it’s time to look more closely at specific business plans. Siobhán Green, lead on battery storage in continental Europe for Everoze, looks at three key questions.
MUFG closes US$ 163 million finance for Azure Power’s 300 MW solar project
The latest transaction follows MUFG’s commitment to the debt funding facility for Adani Green’s under-construction hybrid portfolio of solar and wind projects in Rajasthan.
Using the oceans’ depths to store renewables, compress hydrogen
Underwater gravity energy storage has been proposed as an ideal solution for weekly energy storage, by an international group of scientists. The novel technology is considered an alternative to pumped-hydro storage for coasts and islands without mountains that are located close to deep waters, and may also be interesting for PV if used to store green hydrogen.
Tata Power to exit coal by 2050
The energy company says it will use hybrid-technology projects, round-the-clock renewables, battery storage, floating solar and green hydrogen as it attempts to wind down the 69% of its energy generation fleet based on thermal power.
A solar pavilion for India’s rooftops
India’s energy transition will not succeed without rooftop PV and roll-out is hindered not only by a lack of household finance, but by the fact many of the nation’s flat roofs are enjoyed by residents. Germany’s international development agency has proposed a solution.
Fraunhofer ISE unveils 68.9%-efficient III-V solar cell for laser energy transmission systems
The German research institute said the gallium arsenide cell has achieved the highest efficiency to date for the conversion of light into electricity.
Fourth Partner Energy raises US$125 million in equity funding from Norwegian and US investors
The Hyderabad-based corporate solar solutions provider would use the funds towards business expansion across Indian and International markets as it targets 3 GW of installed solar capacity by 2025.
Sterling and Wilson Solar’s order book grew 72% in FY2021
However, one-off exceptional events in the fourth quarter hit the solar EPC player’s overall fiscal performance. These included a prime subcontractor going bankrupt in Australia, rising module prices, and increased freight costs.
LNJ Bhilwara, Replus to set up a 1 GWh lithium-ion battery plant
LNJ Bhilwara, a diversified business group with presence in graphite electrode manufacturing, has formed a joint venture with Pune-based Replus Engitech to create lithium battery solutions for both e-mobility and stationary applications. The JV aims to have 1 GWh capacity operational in Pune by mid-2022 and eventually scale it to 5 GWh by 2024.
Madhya Pradesh will have a 950 MW solar plant operational in two years
The Indian State of Madhya Pradesh is going to host a 950 MW solar power plant in the Chhatarpur district. The PV plant is planned to be completed by March 2023. Land proceedings for the plant have already been completed. The tender inviting developers will be issued by November, and the developer selection process completed by January 2022.
