Towards a distributed solar energy future
A study by Auroville Consulting assesses the techno-commercial impact of generating solar power close to the point of consumption. The study was undertaken on ten feeders of a substation in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu. The results indicated that 100% solar energy penetration, in energy terms, is not only possible but a winning proposition, especially for the distribution companies.
Reliable electricity access and customer satisfaction key to DISCOM performance, says study
A joint study by Smart Power India, an arm of US-based impact investor Rockefeller Foundation, and government thinktank NITI Aayog, evaluates the status of electricity access in India across different states and benchmarks distribution utilities’ capacity to provide electricity access. It also offers recommendations to help DISCOMs realize their full potential.
Uttarakhand seeks installers for solar plants under self-employment scheme
Developers have until November 30 to lodge their interest with Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) to install and support PV plants for beneficiaries of Mukhyamantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana. A total of 10,000 solar power plants (in sizes up to 25 kWp) are proposed to be set up under the scheme.
Madhya Pradesh tenders for 30 MW rooftop solar
Developers have until November 27 to bid for the grid-connected solar projects. The capacity—to be developed in RESCO mode—shall come in various public and private sector buildings across the state. Bidding closes on November 27.
Indexed renewable energy tariffs could save discoms up to INR 21,880 crore over five years
A joint report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (Ieefa) and the CEEW-Centre for Energy Finance (CEF) has recommended indexed tariff structure over flat rate for future renewable capacity, with front-ending tariffs as low as INR 2/kWh, to ease near-term financial pressure on discoms.
Sterling and Wilson to build solar+storage hybrid power plant in Niger
The latest project is another African opportunity for the India-based EPC player after successfully commissioning Nigeria’s first solar-plus-storage hybrid power plant, which is also Africa’s largest battery energy storage system.
Tata Power awarded 100 MW project at Gujarat’s Dholera Solar Park
The developer secured the grid-connected solar capacity in a 700 MW auction by state utility Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited which had a tariff ceiling of INR2.92/kWh.
Gujarat tenders 500 MW of solar
Projects can be established anywhere in the state which has spare grid capacity, with the relevant substations listed on the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation website.
Stable outlook for operating solar projects, new PV at risk
Solar projects under construction face uncertainty as factors like labour shortage and proposed duties on module imports could lead to significant cost overruns for the developers.
Rajasthan could add 22.6 GW of new renewable energy capacity to the grid within a decade
The state—which has already installed an aggregate 9.6 GW of renewable energy capacity as of FY 2019-20 end—will add another 22.6 GW to the grid by the end of FY2029-30. Of the new RE addition, 18 GW will come from solar capacity.
