Batteries and hydrogen to make residential off-grid PV technically feasible
Researchers in Finland have demonstrated the technical feasibility of an off-grid residential PV system combined with short-term battery storage and seasonal hydrogen storage. The proposed model is applicable only to northern climates, as higher levels of solar radiation in southern locations would mean a reduced need for seasonal storage. It was tested in an existing single-family house in Finland with a 21 kW rooftop array and a ground source 6 kW heat pump.
Telangana plans solar-powered floating restaurants and boats on water bodies
The floating restaurants and boats shall have on-board Li-ion battery storage to continuously power main motors and utility loads for six hours on a single charge. The batteries shall be charged by solar power and AC current from the shore to ensure the loads’ uninterrupted operation.
Vikram Solar module factory gets a rooftop PV plant
The 919.73 kWp captive solar plant at the module manufacturer’s Falta unit in West Bengal uses multiple PV technology advancements, including its own SOMERA monocrystalline, half-cut and full-cut cell panels.
India, Vietnam sign MoU on solar energy cooperation
The National Solar Energy Federation of India and Vietnam Clean Energy Association signed the pact to exchange best practices and explore business opportunities in solar energy.
Solar tariff drops below INR 2/kWh
The solar electricity price in India has dipped further to an all-time low of INR 1.99/kWh in a 500 MW Gujarat auction held recently, which is 0.5% lower than the previous record of INR 2/kWh set a month ago.
BESCOM seeks consultant as it plans 1.06 GW rooftop solar
The work includes consultancy for demand aggregation and implementation of 1060 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems. Applications can be submitted until January 1, 2021.
Structural factors driving down solar tariffs in India
An analysis by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) says improvements in PV panel designs and costs, lower financing costs, and state-specific sectors such as the location’s solar potential and certain waivers have driven the decline in Indian solar tariffs.
NTPC arm tenders 30 MW solar in Madhya Pradesh
Bids are invited to set up 30 MW grid-connected solar capacity across various locations in the State. The projects shall be awarded through domestic competitive bidding. Bidding closes on January 7.
Amp Energy unveils the largest distributed generation RE project in Eastern India
The developer claims that its 10.5 MW on-site solar plant for Tata Hitachi’s Kharagpur facility in West Bengal is the largest behind-the-meter renewable energy project in Eastern India.
Indian Railways invites proposals for solar-plus-storage pilot in Gujarat
The project—to be set up on a 90-acre vacant Railway land at Dahod in Gujarat—shall be awarded through competitive bidding. Western Railways shall be the offtaker for 25 years at a price discovered through the bidding process.
