Community

Africa50 and International Solar Alliance (ISA) will leverage each other’s networks to mobilize funding and raise awareness of African solar projects in European and Indian markets.

Solar-powered water pumps with a total capacity of 186 kWp have been installed in the Sarlahi and Siraha districts, benefitting 11,865 residents. The projects are a collaborative effort of Nepal’s Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

In a meeting with the French delegation, India’s power minister emphasized the role of insurance for renewable energy projects, payment security mechanism, and debt financing in attracting investment into renewable energy.

IRENA’s report Renewable Capacity Statistics 2023 shows that in 2022, Asia accounted for nearly 60 percent of the worldwide increase in renewable energy generating capacity, resulting in a total of 1.63 Terawatt (TW) of renewable capacity by year end. A huge part of this increase occurred in China.

A research group in Ghana has conducted a series of tests to assess the performance of polycrystalline solar modules in PV systems operating in their home country for at least 5 years. They found that the vast majority of the panels may ‘fail’ before 20 years in operation under outdoor conditions.

Bangladesh has introduced tax exemptions to reduce water production costs and promote the use of solar power in 19 coastal districts. This initiative comes in response to grid electricity shortages caused by a decline in coal and fuel imports. The goal is to enhance reliance on solar-powered water desalination in these areas.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a new report that solar will remain the main source of global renewable capacity expansion in 2023, accounting for 286 GW. In 2024, the figure is set to grow to almost 310 GW, driven by lower module prices, greater uptake of distributed PV systems, and a policy push for large-scale deployment.

A new report states solar-powered pumps (higher capacity and micro-pumps) offer a $28 billion market potential in India, the maximum among all mature decentralized renewable energy (DRE) livelihood applications. Solar dryers have the second-largest deployment potential at $2.3 billion.

India’s power minister said the government will create a large program for distributed renewable energy livelihoods, like rooftop solar and solar irrigation schemes. 

India’s Vivasvan Solar has designed a foldable solar structure mounted on a trolley. The system employs mechanisms to prevent damage to the panels during transit and is especially useful for agricultural farms.