1.2 GW solar auction sees slight rise in tariffs
As against the all-time low of Rs 2.44 per unit recorded in July last year, the latest SECI auction saw the lowest winning tariff of Rs 2.55 per unit offered by ReNew Power. Other winners included Azure Power, Eden Renewable and SoftBank-backed SB Energy.
The long read: Sweet sweep
The amount and nature of desert dust determines whether daily cleaning of solar modules is a favorable option. However, frequent and water-intensive cleaning, as well as the amount of labor required, can be costly in desert installations. But the ingenuity of automation is on its way to help.
Gujarat to set up 100 MW solar PV project atop Narmada canal
The state-owned Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam will set up the 100 MW solar project atop branch canals of river Narmada at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore. Four locations in central Gujarat have already been identified for the project.
Gujarat’s latest 500 MW solar auction serves up a low tariff
Aggressive bidding secures price of Rs2.55 for U.S. company in a procurement exercise whose results are unlikely to see GUVNL throw its toys out of the pram.
Q4 utility-scale solar down 46%: Bridge To India
India’s utility-scale solar capacity addition during October-December 2018 went down 46 per cent over the corresponding period of 2017. In contrast, rooftop solar grew strongly at 47 per cent.
Vikram Solar commissions 200 MW utility-scale solar in Andhra Pradesh
The plant, situated in district Anatapuramu of Andhra Pradesh, is segregated into two blocks of 100 MW each for better management and higher efficiency. It is expected to power nearly 150,000 homes once connected to the grid.
20 MW floating solar-plus-60 MWh storage tendered for Lakshadweep
The Solar Energy Corporation of India has invited bids for the development of an aggregate capacity of 20 MW of lagoon-based floating PV with 60 MWh of battery-based storage systems in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
Maharashtra auction sees tariffs hit Rs 2.74 per unit
Tariffs retracted distinctly from Rs 2.84 per unit seen in the 700 MW Gujarat solar auction recently, inching closer to the Rs 2.71-2.72 level of Maharashtra’s previous tender.
Safeguard duty respite for solar developers in Maharashtra
Change of law decision by state electricity regulator opens the door for compensation, but only for schemes completed before duty was applied and commission ignored pleas to fix the rate of payments.
Interview: Hindustan Powerprojects CEO on stepping into new territories
Hindustan Powerprojects has executed more than 350 MWp in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Korea and the U.K. since its establishment in 2008. It claims to have been the largest solar project developer in the UK from 2011-13 and commissioned its first utility-scale project in India in Tamil Nadu in 2010. In an interview with pv magazine, Lalit Jain, CEO for the firm’s international solar business, shared his experience from developed markets, and what it takes to be successful doing business overseas.
