12 GW ‘new’ solar with VGF support approved
The president of India has approved the Rs 8580 crore viability gap funding (VGF) support for state-run generators to set up 12 GW of solar projects using domestically-made equipment over the next four years.
Low tariff comes out of Rajasthan 750 MW auction
Record-setting Acme Solar has secured a third of the latest procurement exercise in the state with a lowest bid of Rs2.48/kWh. The tender was oversubscribed by more than 100% as offers came in for 1,620 MW of capacity.
CleanMax Solar’s 736kWp rooftop plant is India’s largest for jail complex
The Gurugram-based commercial solar player has installed a 736 kWp rooftop solar plant at Mandoli Jail in Delhi. The power generated from the plant—built on ‘pay-as-you-go’ model—will cost about 50% cheaper than grid electricity.
Assam takes a giant leap forward with 70 MW solar park
A state hamstrung by low irradiance, tough terrain and regular flooding is trying to move forward its energy transition. Previously, the largest solar project in Assam had a generation capacity of only 5 MW.
NLC completes 591 MW solar power projects in Tamil Nadu
State-owned NLC India Ltd – formerly the Neyveli Lignite Corporation – has commissioned 150 MW of solar power projects at Ramanathapuram and Virudhanagar Districts of Tamil Nadu, taking its total installed solar power capacity in the state to 591 MW.
Analysis: Siemens’ move for Kaco unlikely to threaten Indian jobs
The German giant – which manufactures central inverters near Mumbai – announced plans last week to acquire Kaco and start a new smart infrastructure business from April 1. In light of those moves, pv magazine spoke to IHS Markit’s Cormac Gilligan about the new kid, albeit huge, on the block.
SECI goes into overdrive with 6 GW tender plans announced in five days
The organization responsible for coordinating India’s push for 100 GW of new solar capacity by 2022 has had a busy week. But, as last year illustrated, tenders alone are not always a guarantee of new generation assets.
Solar buying from India, China rises as US imposes steel tariffs
US companies have boosted sourcing of completed racks from abroad in order to avoid the tariff on raw material [steel] imports, says Bloomberg.
The long read: Case for optimization
While India’s solar potential is unquestionable, progress has been uneasy and race-to-the-bottom pricing has held back the adoption of technologies such as MLPE. However, that is beginning to change, writes Prasidh Kumar, CEO of Soreva Energy, as grid modernization requires proactive monitoring and optimization technologies.
Siemens bids to take over fellow inverter maker Kaco
The German powerhouse – which makes central inverters for PV projects in India – wants to complete the acquisition by July. Indian employees will be hoping target company Kaco’s disposal of its central inverter operation last month will avert job losses by removing any potential overlap between the manufacturers.
