This year could see a reckoning for ultra-mega PV projects
The fate of the clutch of 500 MW-plus projects due to break ground this year could determine whether such ambitious schemes have a viable future, says Wood Mackenzie in its solar 2019 forecast. And the Indian market should brace for consolidation, add the analysts, because of aggressive reverse-auction tariff pricing.
Adani pledges $4 billion for world’s largest solar hybrid park in Gujarat
Head of industrial conglomerate makes pledge at Vibrant Gujarat Summit as part of his company’s ambition to install 10 GW of renewables capacity by 2022.
The long read: Why are we not making the most out of big data analysis?
Although the solar industry sees itself as young, its assets are aging. Owners still struggle with the complexity of making the best use of big data analysis to improve plant efficiency and profitability. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt, of Everoze, examines why this has not changed, and what can or should be improved. Artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, automated assessments and smart monitoring software – holistic solar asset management starts here.
Make in India: HyET Solar plans to set up 300 MW fab in Gujarat
At the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, HyET Solar will sign a memorandum of understanding with the state to set up a solar module manufacturing facility.
Hyper low costs ensure clean energy investment fell in India last year
The nation still managed to attract around $11.1 billion for renewable energy in 2018, to be the world’s fifth most attractive destination for funds, according to new figures compiled by BloombergNEF.
UAE minister and OPEC chief says IRENA’s solar forecasts for Gulf nations will prove conservative
With the International Renewable Energy Agency’s number-crunchers predicting almost 5.4 GW of new solar across the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations today, Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui said his nation alone would install 6-7 GW of new renewables capacity by 2024, as pv magazine editor-in-chief Jonathan Gifford reports.
Investment funds scramble to acquire Indian giant’s 1 GW assets
Global Infra Partners, KKR, Brookfield, I Squared Capital and Macquarie are reported to be among those eyeing the renewable energy assets of debt riddled Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services.
Suzlon sells subsidiary to Canadian firm AMP Solar
Suzlon has sold its majority stake in Rudra Solarfarms for Rs 142.10 million. It had set up the subsidiary, in partnership with AMP Solar, in order to execute a 15 MW solar project in Telangana.
China unveils an ambitious new push on grid parity solar
Beijing has outlined a series of policies mandating local and provincial authorities, state-owned banks and grid operators to pull out the stops to drive the rapid escalation of subsidy-free PV projects. The announcement has seen Chinese solar stocks on the rise.
Solar money is all flowing downstream – in the West at least
Mercom Capital’s latest report on financial activity in the solar sector illustrates an increasing flow of capital towards downstream companies and PV projects – as well as a split between China and the rest of the world.
