Utility Scale PV

The thermal energy giant of India has commissioned a 130 MW solar plant in the state of Tamil Nadu, comprised of two, 65 MW blocks across 655 acres.

Solar EPC firm, Oriano Solar has installed two 20 MW thin film PV plants in Karnataka. The modules, based on CdTe technology, are procured from U.S.-based company First Solar.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India will invite expressions of interest (EOI) from developers eager to build, own and operate floating PV installations at selected sites across the country.

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited has completed a 100 MW solar PV project at Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka. Tata’s total installed operating capacity across India now totals 1,641 MW.

A 100 MW solar park in Tumkur District has been connected to the regional grid in Karnataka, reports project owner Fortum. The project is Fortum’s fourth project to be connected in India, and its largest so far, more than doubling its total capacity to 185 MW.

Uttar Pradesh released a new solar policy on December 7 for the development of 10.7 GW of solar installations in India by 2022, including 4.3 GW through rooftop solar. The government has proposed several incentives and offers to promote solar growth in the state.

India has installed total 1,861 MW rooftop PV as of September 2017 as the state of Maharashtra overtakes Tamil Nadu to become largest for rooftop solar, as per latest report by Bridge to India. Analysts have revised India’s rooftop projection to 10.8 GW by 2021.

Trina Solar may scrap planned Indian PV fab amid tumbling prices driven by solar auctions, reports Bloomberg New Energy Finance during its Shanghai summit. Demand for lithium, meanwhile, poised to reach record high on back of expected EV growth.

“Huge demand” will be created in the Indian solar market in 2018 on the back of the government’s plans to auction off 20 GW worth of projects, says IHS Markit. Companies will only be permitted to take part in the auctions, it says, if they set up manufacturing facilites in the country. Jobs will also be created.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India has signed power purchase agreements for the five solar projects totaling 750 MW. At auction, the Bhadla projects attracted the country’s lowest bids at INR 2.44 ($0.037)/kWh.