Solar post-Assembly elections
Having achieved 100% household electrification, the PM Modi led government seeking re-election aims to ensure electrification of all railway tracks by 2022 and turn renewable into a popular movement with steps like emphasis on solar farming. Even if the elections spring a surprise, the renewable momentum is unlikely to slow down as no government can afford to ignore the phenomenon.
Delhi Metro runs on solar power from Rewa plant in Madhya Pradesh
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) received 27 MW from the solar project based in Madhya Pradesh, which will gradually increase it to 99 MW. The power received was used to run operations on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to Central Secretariat metro station link.
Exide acquires 26-30% equity in 3 captive projects by Cleantech Solar
Lead-acid battery manufacturer Exide Industries has entered into 26-30% equity shareholding agreement with Singapore-based Cleantech Solar Energy for three captive solar power plants to be set up for its manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Maharashtra.
India and Australia helped make up for Chinese solar retreat last year
The world had more than half a terawatt of PV generation capacity at the end of last year as emerging solar markets picked up the slack caused by Beijing’s subsidy about-turn to the tune of a 20% rise in installations outside China.
EFL raises $10 million to expand green lending portfolio
Pune-based Electronica Finance Limited (EFL) has raised $10 million from a climate fund managed by Swiss impact investor responsAbility to diversify its SME lending offering and to expand into financing solar PV for the commercial and industrial markets.
Singapore’s AM Holdings setting up 24 MW floating solar plant at Indian petrochemical arm
The floating solar power plant—to be developed by AM International’ Greenam Energy—will be located in Tuticorin plant of Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC). The power generated will be used to meet SPIC’s electricity requirements and the excess will be sold to the state power utilities.
Oriano Solar commissions 18.75 MWp for Aditya Birla Renewables in Chhattisgarh
Currently, the Mumbai-based solar EPC firm is executing 134.5 MWp of solar projects to be commissioned by September 2019. It expects to surpass cumulative installation of 350 MWp by the end of this financial year.
Petronas jumps into PV market with Amplus acquisition
The Malaysian oil and gas group has purchased solar developer Amplus Energy Solutions from infrastructure investor I Squared Capital. No financial terms of the deal have been disclosed.
NTPC arm tenders 500 KW grid-connected rooftop solar
Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has invited bids for setting up of 500 KW of rooftop solar PV capacity on various buildings of its plant for Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Project in Bihar. The project will be awarded based on domestic competitive bidding. The deadline for bid submission is May 8.
India’s solar sector will outperform globally despite near-term challenges, says Fitch Solutions
With Narendra Modi being tipped to triumph again in the current Indian elections, Indian solar capacity is expected to grow robustly, at 15.3% per year, on the back of continued strong government support.
