Commercial & Industrial PV

There was incredulity in some quarters as the federal government raised its renewables ambition another 22%, but the stellar performance of the past four years points to the new target being a realizable one.

Global newly installed capacity for 2018 is forecast to reach 102.6 GW, of which “only” 39 GW are expected to come from China. Fourteen countries are expected to cross the GW threshold this year.

Global solar PV demand this year will be less than in 2017, on the back of China’s latest policy decision, says TrendForce. Overall, it sees new installs dropping 40% in China to 31.6 GW. The protectionist measures taken by the U.S. will also be weakened by the resulting falling module prices.

According to Mercom India, the Indian solar PV industry has recorded its strongest quarter since the launch of the National Solar Mission. In addition to declining module prices, both rooftop and utility-scale installations saw strong growth. Clarity is needed, however, on the ongoing safeguard duty saga, to drive the industry forward.

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) says the nation will exceed 175 GW of installed renewable energy capacity as plans for bidding for 115 GW of renewable power projects to March 2020 were announced. The target for PV parks has been increased from 20 GW to 40 GW with some 41 parks in 21 states – with aggregate capacity of more than 26 GW – already sanctioned.

Located in Hosapet, Bengaluru, this solar PV power plant will be the largest Enphase microinverter-based solar installation globally. Occupying 72,843 sq.m (18 acres) and powered by 13,235 microinverters, it will provide more than 7500 MWh of clean power annually to businesses in the state of Karnataka through a mix of short- and long-term power purchase agreements

Statkraft and Bharat Light and Power (BLP) have decided to end their partnership for distributed solar PV solutions. As per the agreement, BLP will sell its stake in joint venture Statkraft BLP Solar Solutions (SBSS) to Statkraft.

In a long-awaited move, farming irrigation systems in Haryana will be powered by solar energy.

Chennai has the potential to install 1.38 GW of rooftop solar PV which, if realized, could meet around 10% of the city’s electricity demand, according to a new study by Greenpeace and the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute.

The combination of a 9 MW solar park developed over its rocky barren land and rooftop PV panels installed on 79 government buildings generate enough solar power to meet Diu’s daytime electricity needs.