Finance

India, with 750 GW of solar potential, has also one of the highest transmission and distribution losses in the world. So, while there is immense scope in PV deployment, there is a need for greater investment in grid related projects also to help the country best utilise its renewable energy potential, says the latest report by SolarPower Europe and National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) which also makes recommendations to help accelerate investments in the solar sector.

The programme—co-funded by Swedish Energy Agency and India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST)—aims to develop technologies that can be commercialized after two years. While SEA has committed US$2.6 million over four years for research and innovation collaboration with India, DST will also fund a matching investment of Rs 18 crore to support Indian partners.

With Rs 118.27 crore in the current financial till February 10, Gujarat is way ahead among all states and union territories in getting the central financial support for new and renewable energy generation.

15 GW of utility scale and 8.5 GW grid-connected rooftop solar by year 2030 is the new target set for the state which is currently chasing year 2022 target of 6.4 GW and 4.3 GW, respectively.

The state budget for 2020-21 has also allocated Rs 125 crore under Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Yojana to solarize 18,500 grid-connected pumps and for standalone offgrid solar power agriculture pumps.

As the sector continues to grow rapidly, delays in manufacturing scale-ups, difficulties sourcing raw materials and a separate path taken by the electric vehicle sector could all chuck ‘sand in the gears’, according to analyst Wood Mackenzie.

Coming up at Moda village in Valsad district, this will be Waaree’s third solar modules investment in Gujarat after Surat and Umargam plants.

Consultancy Bridge to India has looked into its crystal ball to predict India will add 10 GW of solar capacity this year and the same next year before deployment slows to 7 GW per year in 2022 and 2023, dogged by hurdles such as an inexplicable ongoing demand for new coal-fired power plants.

The New Delhi-based developer posted a Rs136 crore loss from October to the end of December but has managed to shift current liabilities into the long grass as it aims to continue on an expansionist trail, backed by the Canadian pension fund which holds almost half its shares.

Removal of solar trade duties, discom reforms, and better central-state government coordination are prerequisites to increase renewable project development in the country.