Novel design for east-west solar parks reduces soil deterioration
Researchers from the TNO in the Netherlands have proposed two novel east-west PV plant designs that are claimed to increase soil quality underneath the solar panels. Both approaches are said to provide a 77% ground coverage ratio, which compares to a 90% ratio in conventional east-west oriented projects.
Cleantech Solar commissions 30 MW open-access project in Maharashtra
The solar plant in the Beed district will supply power to leading corporate customers under the captive structure.
Reliance New Energy Solar to invest in US-based liquid metal battery firm
The clean energy arm of Reliance Industries Limited will invest US$ 50 million in MIT-incubated Ambri. As part of the transaction the two companies will also partner to develop and manufacture liquid metal batteries in India.
Sandia researchers develop new grid-scale energy storage battery
The battery operates at 230 degrees Fahrenheit, opening what researchers said could be “a whole cascading cost savings” including everything from less expensive materials to less insulation.
Solar parks get off to a good start in India, but challenges remain
Large-scale solar parks will be key to India’s transition to clean and green energy. Such parks are already being built or planned in States like Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. However, there is still scope for forward-looking and well-aligned policies across States to make the most of this global phenomenon.
Indian Railways tenders hydrogen fuel cell technology for trains
The Railways initially plans to convert diesel-powered trains in the 89km Sonipat-Jind section of Northern Railway to run on hydrogen. The hydrogen fuel cell retrofitment kit, along with the balance-of-plant and energy storage and hydrogen storage modules, will replace the existing power-train items onboard 1,600HP diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) rakes.
ReNew Power signs PPA for 400 MW round-the-clock supply
The Indian developer will build a 1,300 MW hybrid renewable energy capacity (900 MW wind plus 400 MW solar) supplemented with storage to ensure a round-the-clock supply. The project cost is estimated at approximately US$ 1.2 billion.
New solar glass factory to come up in India
Auto glass producer Asahi India Glass and polyfilm maker Vishakha Group have teamed up to set up India’s largest solar glass plant in Gujarat. The factory is initially planned to have a capacity equivalent to 3 GW of solar installation per annum.
Indian commercial and industrial solar market reaches 10,485 MW
India’s commercial and industrial solar sector added 501 MW of solar capacity in the January-March period of 2021, taking the cumulative C&I PV capacity to 10,485 MW as of March 31, 2021.
Crystal arrangement results in 1,000x more power from ferroelectric solar cells
German researchers developed a lattice arrangement of three different layers of ferroelectric crystals that created a powerful photovoltaic effect.
