India added 3.2 GW of solar capacity in 2020
With large projects contributing 78% of the new capacity, the nation installed less than half the 7.3 GW added in 2019 and recorded its poorest figures in five years, according to a Mercom India report.
Adani launches joint venture for renewables-powered data centers
AdaniConneX, the joint venture with US-based data center solution provider EdgeConneX, will develop renewable energy-powered data centers with up to 1 GW of power demand in India over the next decade.
West Bengal tenders for rooftop solar
Bidders have until April 23 to lodge their interest to set up 990 small-size grid-connected rooftop solar plants in turnkey mode. The plants—in sizes of 10 kWp each—shall come up across the State.
JMK says India could install 9.7 GW of new utility-scale solar in 2021
The nation is going to make great strides in new utility-scale solar installation this year after adding just about 2.6 GW in 2020.
Indian startup Solavio Labs raises Canadian fund
The solar panel-cleaning robot startup, which saw its sales jump 125 times last year, has thus far raised three levels of funding amounting to INR 2 crore from government bodies in India, Dubai, and Canada.
India added 1.4 GW of solar in October-December period
The new solar capacity addition during the third quarter of FY 2020-21 was way above 928 MW installed in the previous quarter (July-September).
Hinduja Renewables commissions 75 MWp solar plant for vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland
The plant, situated in Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s largest group captive solar plants serving a single client. It is expected to generate over 120 million units of electricity annually.
Battery major Amara Raja plans 50 MW solar plant
The Indian automotive battery major has announced the setting up of a 50 MW solar power plant in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. The plant—to be built at INR 220-crore investment—will help reduce the manufacturer’s carbon footprint while lowering its electricity bill. The firm, which has already set up a pilot plant facility for Lithium-ion cell development, is also mulling investments into energy storage for the renewables sector.
World Bank signs up for $56m slice of renewables developer’s first green bond
The development lender’s private-sector arm helped Indian commercial clean power company Continuum Green Energy raise $561 million to refinance its debts through the bond, on the Singapore exchange.
New model to predict PV module cleaning cycles and resulting profits
A group of scientists in Bangladesh has developed a model to determine the optimal cleaning schedule for a PV installation at any location in the globe, requiring only the average insolation and soiling rate for a given site to make the calculation. The study also draws new conclusions regarding the influence of sandstorms and rain on soiling, and aims to be among the first studies to paint a global picture of soiling trends by region.
