Wind-Solar Hybrid

The state-owned thermal energy giant has deployed 1,421 MW of renewable power generation capacity so far, including 1,370 MW of solar and 51 MW of wind power plants.

French startup Unéole has developed a rooftop system that combines solar and silent wind turbines. It claims its system can produce 40% more energy than standalone rooftop solar arrays. It is now testing the device, with plans to commercialize it by 2023.

The power trading solution provider’s call for expression of interest to supply 1 GW of hybrid wind-solar power received a response from 14 renewable energy developers, including domestic as well as international players.

Ayana Renewable Power, Azure Power, EDF Renewables India, Sterlite Power, Torrent Power, and Vena Energy have committed investments in wind-solar hybrid projects in the state. 

Developers have until Dec. 12 to bid to set up a cumulative 1.2 GW of wind-solar-storage hybrid capacity on a build-own-operate basis, anywhere in India.

Tata Power is looking to expand its renewable power portfolio in Rajasthan to 10 GW in the next five years, from around 5 GW at present. It will also set up solar manufacturing units in the state.

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.

Mahindra Group has agreed to sell a 30% equity stake in Mahindra Susten to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan for around $300 million. The two parties have also agreed to set up an infrastructure investment trust so Mahindra Susten can strengthen its solar, hybrid energy, and integrated storage businesses, as well as its round-the-clock green energy plants.

In May 2018, India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy adopted the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy. Though paltry when it comes to offering incentives or preferential treatment to solar-wind-hybrid (SWH) projects, the policy aims to enable more SWH projects to efficiently utilize transmission infrastructure and land, as well as reducing variability in renewable generation and thus improving grid stability.

UPL, a Mumbai-based sustainable agricultural solutions provider, will commission a 61.05 MW captive wind-solar project in a joint venture with developer CleanMax. The project will be located in Gujarat.