Installations

According to new figures from the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), the continent’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 16 GW at the end of December, based on 3.7 GW of new annual installations.

Waaree Renewable Technologies has secured the letter of award for a 412 MWp (335 MW AC) solar power plant. It will execute the EPC work of the PV plant and provide operations and maintenance for a period of two years.

Tata Power Solar ties up with 20+ leading financial institutions, financing up to 85% of the addressable order book. It has facilitated solar financing for over 2,200 commercial and industrial customers till date.

Developing the solar market in India has been a multifaceted journey marked by commendable achievements and occasional challenges. While the government’s support has been instrumental in fostering growth, addressing the challenges, ensuring policy stability, and promoting technological innovation will be critical to reignite momentum and achieve India’s renewable energy targets in the coming years.

New research from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has shown that combining rooftop PV systems with battery storage and heat pumps can improve heat pump efficiency while reducing reliance on grid electricity.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today tabled the interim budget for FY 2024-25 in the parliament. Budget highlights include announcements about the residential rooftop solarization scheme, viability gap funding for offshore wind, and government support for EV manufacturing and charging infrastructure.

Researchers in Spain have developed a new system that simultaneously produces PV power and disinfects wastewater.

Dedicated funds for residential rooftop solar under ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ and increased incentives for solar manufacturing MSMEs are on the wishlist of the Indian solar sector. In battery storage, players expect the inclusion of battery recycling within the PLI Scheme and continued investments in developing battery storage solutions.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has launched a tender to procure 1,125 MW of solar power from PV projects to be set up in GSECL’s RE Park at Khavda. Bids can be submitted until Feb. 15.

The Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese companies Shanghai Fengling Renewables and Serbia Zijin Copper. It envisages the construction of 1.5 GW wind and 500 MW of solar projects alongside a green hydrogen production facility with 30,000 tons of annual output.