India hits 100 GW renewables milestone
Solar’s share in the installed 100 GW renewable energy capacity stands at around 44%, and wind’s 40% as per the data available with the Central Electricity Authority.
Tata Power lands 50 MW/50 MWh solar-plus-storage project in Ladakh
The company’s arm Tata Power Solar has received the notice of award to build a 50 MW (DC) solar plant integrated with a 50 MWh battery energy storage system at Phyang village in the Leh district. The project’s order value is approximately ÌNR 386 crore (US$ 52 million).
GameChange Solar completes 394 MW PV tracker project in India
The New York-headquartered solar racking solutions provider supplied its single-axis Genius Tracker equipment to a 394 MW PV project set up by Tata Power in Gujarat. This is the largest solar project utilizing single-axis trackers in India.
UPC-AC Energy Solar commissions 210 MW DC capacity in India
UPC-AC Energy Solar, a joint venture of UPC Solar and AC Energy, has commissioned two solar farms aggregating to 210 MW (150 MW AC) capacity, including 140 MW (100 MW AC) in Rajasthan and 70 MW (50 MW AC) in Gujarat. It has a further 420 MW (300 MW AC) solar assets scheduled for construction in Madhya Pradesh as it aims for about 1 GW of operating PV capacity in India by 2023.
Gujarat tenders 224 MW of grid-connected solar
Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GESCL) has tendered the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) work for an aggregate 224 MW of grid-connected solar projects in the State. The projects, to be set up in 10-55 MW sizes, shall come up in Surendranagar, Morbi, Kutchh, Jamnagar, and Surat districts. Bidding closes on September 8.
Novel design for east-west solar parks reduces soil deterioration
Researchers from the TNO in the Netherlands have proposed two novel east-west PV plant designs that are claimed to increase soil quality underneath the solar panels. Both approaches are said to provide a 77% ground coverage ratio, which compares to a 90% ratio in conventional east-west oriented projects.
Solar parks get off to a good start in India, but challenges remain
Large-scale solar parks will be key to India’s transition to clean and green energy. Such parks are already being built or planned in States like Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. However, there is still scope for forward-looking and well-aligned policies across States to make the most of this global phenomenon.
ReNew Power signs PPA for 400 MW round-the-clock supply
The Indian developer will build a 1,300 MW hybrid renewable energy capacity (900 MW wind plus 400 MW solar) supplemented with storage to ensure a round-the-clock supply. The project cost is estimated at approximately US$ 1.2 billion.
APTEL orders compensation for solar curtailment in Tamil Nadu
The Delhi-based Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has directed Tamil Nadu State Load Despatch Centre (TNSLDC) and The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to compensate developers at 75% of PPA tariff per kWh on solar curtailment.
A closer look at liquid air energy storage
A British-Australian research team has assessed the potential of liquid air energy storage (LAES) for large scale application. The scientists estimate that these systems may currently be built at a cost between €300 and €600 per kilowatt-hour and that a positive business case could be favored by certain conditions, including a determined price structure in the energy market and the presence of a grid unable to support high levels of renewable energy penetration.
