Utility Scale PV

India, one of the most diversified energy markets in the world, has recently become the lowest-cost producer of solar power. This reflects a steady and encouraging shift toward renewable power—a shift that’s in line with the targets set by the government. At the Climate Action Summit that was held earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra […]

Solar installations in year 2020 are set to exceed 10 GW after a year hit by political uncertainties, module price increases associated with safeguard duty and a fewer number of awarded tenders. The outlook for battery energy storage installations for solar projects, however, is bleak as such combinations in India can cost 3-5 times more in 2020 than standalone renewable projects.

The project—located in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan—is being developed by the Indian developer’s special purpose vehicle Clean Solar Power (Jodhpur).

Developers have until December 30 to bid for the grid-connected plants that shall come up on the land within or around the premises of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s substations. The plants are to be developed on turnkey basis.

According to a new study by Finland’s LUT University, solar PV consumes between 2% and 15% of the water that coal and nuclear power plants use to produce just 1 MWh of output; for wind, this percentage ranges from 0.1% to 14%. Under the researchers’ best policy scenario, water consumption could be reduced by 75.1% by 2030, compared to 2015 levels.

The NYSE-listed developer will set up a 500 MW cell and module production line as its manufacturing commitment under the SECI tender. The tender aimed to secure 2 GW of new annual manufacturing capacity by offering 7 GW of power project permits. Azure has an agreement with an Indian solar panel manufacturer to jointly establish the new production facilities with the developer holding a majority stake in the enterprise.

The minister’s statement comes at a time when analysts fear that potential disregard of past contractual agreements in Andhra Pradesh, along with the regular curtailment of renewable energy facilities and delayed payments to developers, may drive foreign investors away from India’s renewable energy sector.

The Indian developer will hold majority 51% equity in the joint venture, while the balance will be held by GS E&C. The project is part of the capacity auctioned by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) under its tranche-IV earlier this year.

The 923 MW grid-connected solar capacity—tendered under Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme—is to be developed using only domestically manufactured solar cells and modules. Whereas, modules for the 500 MW project in Maharashtra can be procured from either domestic manufacturers, or imported.

Two years after announcing its market entry, the India-based EPC heavyweight has commenced construction of its first Australian project.