Policy

The Delhi government run by the Aam Aadmi Party has completed three years in the governance, and yesterday announced its budget for the financial year 2018-19. The government has announced India’s first ‘Green Budget’ – it has a 26 point program. With the green budget it is estimated that around 2.1 million tons of CO2 emissions will be reduced.

The ISA founding ceremony, held on Sunday March 11 in New Delhi, India, was a highlight in the 2018 solar calendar. French President, Emmanuel Macron announced €700 million in support through loans and donations by 2022, while several other financial deals and MoUs were also signed. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi further outlined 10 action points to help the spread of solar energy.

India has revised its e-mobility policy, and now aims to reach 30% electric of total fleet by 2030. MNRE head, RK Singh launched the program and informed about the tender for 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs) to be released tomorrow. He invites industry players to invest in EV manufacturing and batteries, and work for ‘Healthier World.’

India plans to impose safeguard duty on Chinese and Malaysian module manufacturers, to protect the domestic manufacturers.

In response to the domestic content dispute with the U.S., India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has deleted all of the domestic content clauses from the National Solar Mission Phase-II, Batch-IV: 5 GW VGF scheme.

Minister for road transport Nitin Gadkari drops plans to introduce national policy to support growth of electric vehicles in surprising reversal on earlier ambitions.

MNRE has sanctioned around $1 billion for the development of 60 solar cities in India. The government has also conferred the development of 52 green campuses.

India’s budget disappoints a solar industry still hungry for clarity on duties, tariffs and additional support. Here is a breakdown of the budget’s main points, with reaction from industry.

With two new countries, the Republic of Guyana, and Togo, the number of nations to have ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement has reached 21. ISA will host 6th International Steering Committee (ISC) meeting on February 20.

The three-day exhibition and conference held in New Delhi organized various hands-on workshops and saw discussions on topics like mini and micro-grid systems, electric transportation, and the financial analysis for these sectors. The government has also announced the upcoming energy policy, placing storage at the core.