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The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has stated that Tamil Nadu is India’s national model for low-cost renewable electricity generation. It finds that the state has the capability to increase its solar capacity six-fold in the next 10 years.

Credit Suisse, a swiss financial services firm, is appointed as an advisor for the deal, and the total value of the transaction is estimated at around $180 million.

India’s solar sector witnessed a huge growth in 2017. The country is close to 20 GW cumulative solar installation at the end of January 2018. Bridge to India has released several charts comparing renewable installations, tariff rates, and upcoming projects. The data shows India installed 8.5 GW utility-scale and 1.4 GW rooftop solar in 2017.

India is calling for a special meeting of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), to be held on February 9, to consider its request to resolve the disagreement between India and the U.S.

The 9th monthly get-together and stakeholder’s meeting of the International Solar Alliance was held on January 24. The event witnessed several announcements from companies such as TATA ($2.25 million Incubation hub), NTPC (new developments), Power Grid Corporation of India (new battery storage projects), Infosys (smart PV solutions), and Emami.

Indian Solar Manufacturing Association (ISMA) General Secretary, HR Gupta speaks to pv magazine about the petition filed by ISMA for safeguarding the domestic manufacturing sector. Gupta seeks to alleviate doubts regarding the safeguard duty and justifies the upcoming tariff by stressing that no derailment of projects will happen.

This week’s World Future Energy Summit (WFES) saw a letter of intent inked at the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA’s) pavilion to secure financing of up to US$5 billion with India’s YES Bank by 2030. MNRE head, R.K. Singh also announced a $350 million solar development fund by the Indian Government for solar projects.

ReNew Power Ventures Pvt. Ltd has raised $ 352 million via Non-Convertible Debentures to repay loans.

The investments from Netherlands-based FMO and the U.S.’s OPIC will help to grow the company’s platform in India, which finances rooftop solar for SMEs. Orb Energy will also expand its Kenyan operations.

India has proposed to impose safeguard duty at the rate of 70% for a period of 200 days on imported cells and modules coming from China PR and Malaysia.