Distributed solar

The successful contractor will install the arrays in blocks of 2-10 MW and will carry out all stages of installation, from site surveys through to 12 years’ operation and maintenance.

The International Energy Agency predicts that India will record the world’s fastest growth in energy consumption from buildings through 2040. The energy demand could create a big market for solar installers and equipment providers, particularly in the commercial and industrial sector. While building codes now include provisions for renewable energy integration, effective implementation will be key to ensuring compliance.

We all should envisage a society in which everyone, including individuals and businesses, operate carbon neutrally, i.e., all entities reduce their carbon footprint by adopting sustainable practices.

The advisory committee will guide the International Solar Alliance on meeting its objective of mobilizing US$ 1 trillion investment in solar energy by 2030. Committee members include representatives from leading institutional investor like Africa50, CDPQ Global, IFC, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Capricorn Investment Group, and Temasek.

December 8 is the bidding deadline to set up solar power plants on uncultivable farmland for selling the generated power to the State Discoms. The ceiling tariff is fixed at INR 3.66/kWh. The plants, in sizes of 500 kW to 2 MW, shall come upon land within a 5 km radius of substations in the State.

Developers have until November 25 to bid for setting up grid-connected, ground-mounted projects in 2 MW to 10 MW sizes under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojna. The projects shall be awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding followed by a reverse auction with ceiling tariff fixed at INR 3.10/kWh.

At COP26 Summit in Glasgow, prime minister Narendra Modi also announced India’s pledge to increase its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. The nation would also increase renewable energy’s share in its overall energy generation mix to 50% by 2030.

India needs to install an average of 25 GW solar capacity every year to reach its renewable energy target of ‘450 GW by 2030’ with over 60% (280 GW) from solar. The nation must build enough manufacturing capacity back home to be ready on the supply side to support the new installations. 

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), which aims to mobilize more than $1 trillion of solar power investment by 2030 in its member countries, expanded its scope of work by launching programs on solar panel and battery waste management and solar-powered hydrogen production in its fourth assembly held recently.

A robust distributed renewable energy ecosystem with a strong domestic industry will help provide good-quality, reliable electricity to rural households and enterprises and thus turbocharge green entrepreneurship—paving the way for a self-reliant India.