Utility Scale PV

The growth of utility-scale solar PV in India is marred by several challenges such as availability of land, limited local manufacturing capacity, high transmission and distribution losses, grid integration, and other inefficiencies.

Rajasthan leads in utility-scale solar capacity, accounting for 22% (10,635 MW) of cumulative 48,768 MW PV installations. Karnataka (7,662 MW) ranks second, followed by Maharashtra (5,263 MW).

The Chinese solar inverter manufacturer has shipped more than 14 GW of inverters in India since entering the market in 2014.  

Bundelkhand Saur Urja Limited (BSUL) has opened bids from project management consultants for 1.2 GW Jalaun Solar Park it is developing in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has issued a tender to procure up to 600 MW of solar power from Khavda solar park-based projects and an additional 600 MW under the Greenshoe option. Bidding closes on November 15.

This past week saw the Renewable Energy India Expo come to Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, for its 15th edition. pv magazine spent three days navigating the packed halls of the exhibition and conference, and has compiled these takeaways.

Adani Green has commissioned the world’s largest co-located wind-solar hybrid power plant. The plant comprises 600 MW solar and 150 MW wind power capacity in Rajasthan. It benefits from 25-year power purchase agreements with the Solar Energy Corp. of India at INR 2.69 ($0.033)/kWh.

Sterling and Wilson Solar Solutions has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Government to build solar projects aggregating to 961 MWp along with total battery storage capacity of 455 MWh in Nigeria.

A new study by Finland’s Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) shows a 100% renewable energy-based power system is technically possible and is the least-cost option for India in 2050. 

A new report shows Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Telangana have already surpassed their 2022 targets for renewable capacity installations. However, India is still 58 GW away from its 175 GW national target, with 61% of the target shortfall in just four states.