Towards a distributed solar energy future
A study by Auroville Consulting assesses the techno-commercial impact of generating solar power close to the point of consumption. The study was undertaken on ten feeders of a substation in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu. The results indicated that 100% solar energy penetration, in energy terms, is not only possible but a winning proposition, especially for the distribution companies.
Wood Mackenzie expects Indian solar installations to drop 42% this year
The global newly installed PV capacity for this year would be around 115 GW–5% more than that of 2019 despite the Covid-19 crisis. India will add just 4.9 GW due to strong Covid measures taken.
Reliable electricity access and customer satisfaction key to DISCOM performance, says study
A joint study by Smart Power India, an arm of US-based impact investor Rockefeller Foundation, and government thinktank NITI Aayog, evaluates the status of electricity access in India across different states and benchmarks distribution utilities’ capacity to provide electricity access. It also offers recommendations to help DISCOMs realize their full potential.
It’s cheaper to build new solar than it is to operate coal plants
New analysis released by Lazard compares the levelized cost of energy for various generation technologies on a $/MWh basis and shows that renewables, specifically utility-scale solar and wind, are the economic frontrunners.
Six Indian firms among top 36 in solar developer ranking
Acme Solar ranks eighth with 2.556 GW of cumulative generation capacity to date, and Adani Green Energy (2.421 GW) ninth in the list, which has First Solar and Canadian Solar on top. Azure Power, Tata Power, Greenko Energy and NTPC are the other Indian developers among the top 36.
India added 883 MW of rooftop solar in nine months despite Covid-19
With 380 MW of generation capacity, Gujarat accounted for 43% of new rooftop solar installations during the January-to-September period.
Rockefeller Foundation commits US$1 billion to catalyze a green recovery from pandemic
The new billion-dollar investment is aimed at scaling distributed renewable energy across developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Uttarakhand seeks installers for solar plants under self-employment scheme
Developers have until November 30 to lodge their interest with Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) to install and support PV plants for beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana. A total of 10,000 solar power plants (in sizes up to 25 kWp) are proposed to be set up under the scheme.
Madhya Pradesh tenders for 30 MW rooftop solar
Developers have until November 27 to bid for the grid-connected solar projects. The capacity—to be developed in RESCO mode—shall come in various public and private sector buildings across the state. Bidding closes on November 27.
KPI Global signs 1.5 MW solar power supply agreement with steel maker
The Gujarat-based solar developer has announced the signing of a power supply agreement with China Steel Corporation India for a period of 20 years.
