Off-grid solar

A new report states decentralized solar installations in climate-vulnerable regions of Assam, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan lacked design to deal with future climate risks. The report authors, based on their study, outline considerations for policymakers, implementing agencies, vendors, and funding agencies to build resilient structures.

The company believes introducing its ATUM solar roof (PV panels integrated on cement boards) would be a gamechanger for South Africa. The product, which can directly be used as a roof, will enable distributed microgrids in the region to address the energy requirements of the unelectrified.

Tata Power brings technology and financial strength to set up the distributed, small-scale solar power systems in rural areas and provide round-the-clock power supply to households and businesses. CSC brings to the partnership village-level entrepreneurs to provide quick, low-cost service support. 

Karnataka leads with 7355 MW of installed solar capacity. It is followed by Rajasthan (5473 MW) and Tamil Nadu (4404 MW).

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has set up a solar-powered charging station to conduct the system’s impact assessment. The system—designed by UK-based renewable energy advisor GreenEnco—uses Vikram Solar’s 16 mono PERC solar modules of 400 Wp each, a hybrid inverter, and battery storage.

As of 2020, only 13 cities in India had renewable energy targets and/or policies in place. These cities, however, are home to a significant 67.6 million people.

Bids are invited to install and commission off-grid solar power plants in sizes varying from 500Wp to 50,000Wp.

The Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) plans to develop 77 MW solar capacity on its own land and 16 MW on land owned by village councils.

Bihar-based Husk Power Systems—which operates more than 100 mini-grids in India and Africa—recorded a 90% year-on-year growth in revenues and quadrupled business customers to 5000+. It expects the growth momentum to continue in 2021, with a 125% rise in revenues. 

The nation installed a cumulative solar capacity of 41,689 MW as of December 31, 2020, with 1298 MW added in the October-December period. Going forward, capacity addition in the current year’s first quarter could exceed 2 GW.