Installations

India saw the issuance of 13 new utility-scale solar PV tenders totaling 11,945 MW in the quarter ending March 31, 2018, which is 68% more than in the entire of 2017. However, tender capacity for rooftop solar PV (greater than 1 MW in size) was down 50%, at 102 MW.

Global solar PV demand this year will be less than in 2017, on the back of China’s latest policy decision, says TrendForce. Overall, it sees new installs dropping 40% in China to 31.6 GW. The protectionist measures taken by the U.S. will also be weakened by the resulting falling module prices.

The first order for installing a 20 MW PV power plant has been placed by Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL), while the other, for a 10 MW PV power plant, has been received from the Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GSFC). Both of the solar PV power plants will be installed at the Gujarat Solar Park in Charanka, Gujarat.

According to Mercom India, the Indian solar PV industry has recorded its strongest quarter since the launch of the National Solar Mission. In addition to declining module prices, both rooftop and utility-scale installations saw strong growth. Clarity is needed, however, on the ongoing safeguard duty saga, to drive the industry forward.

The company was adamant that it will not exit the Indian PV market, after rumors last October suggested that the company will sell its PV assets in India. Now, the company reiterates its commitment and stresses that additional funding will be used to develop new assets.

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) says the nation will exceed 175 GW of installed renewable energy capacity as plans for bidding for 115 GW of renewable power projects to March 2020 were announced. The target for PV parks has been increased from 20 GW to 40 GW with some 41 parks in 21 states – with aggregate capacity of more than 26 GW – already sanctioned.

Located in Hosapet, Bengaluru, this solar PV power plant will be the largest Enphase microinverter-based solar installation globally. Occupying 72,843 sq.m (18 acres) and powered by 13,235 microinverters, it will provide more than 7500 MWh of clean power annually to businesses in the state of Karnataka through a mix of short- and long-term power purchase agreements

Statkraft and Bharat Light and Power (BLP) have decided to end their partnership for distributed solar PV solutions. As per the agreement, BLP will sell its stake in joint venture Statkraft BLP Solar Solutions (SBSS) to Statkraft.

Solarpack, a Spanish solar plant developer, has won the contract to develop five solar photovoltaic plants with a total power of 133 MWp in the Indian state of Karnataka.