News

New research from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has shown that combining rooftop PV systems with battery storage and heat pumps can improve heat pump efficiency while reducing reliance on grid electricity.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today tabled the interim budget for FY 2024-25 in the parliament. Budget highlights include announcements about the residential rooftop solarization scheme, viability gap funding for offshore wind, and government support for EV manufacturing and charging infrastructure.

Researchers in Spain have developed a new system that simultaneously produces PV power and disinfects wastewater.

New research from Malaysia has shown the limitations and potential of all solar module cooling techniques based on graphene. The scientists said that high costs and graphene treatments are the main challenges to overcome.

Dedicated funds for residential rooftop solar under ‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’ and increased incentives for solar manufacturing MSMEs are on the wishlist of the Indian solar sector. In battery storage, players expect the inclusion of battery recycling within the PLI Scheme and continued investments in developing battery storage solutions.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has launched a tender to procure 1,125 MW of solar power from PV projects to be set up in GSECL’s RE Park at Khavda. Bids can be submitted until Feb. 15.

The Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese companies Shanghai Fengling Renewables and Serbia Zijin Copper. It envisages the construction of 1.5 GW wind and 500 MW of solar projects alongside a green hydrogen production facility with 30,000 tons of annual output.

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages’ bottling plant in the Ramanagara district in Karnataka has been certified as carbon neutral. The facility has significantly reduced its carbon footprint by sourcing over 90% of its power from renewable energy. 

The skill development programs, launched in Gujarat, will impart extensive training on the installation and operation of utility-scale solar and wind power plants, fostering entrepreneurship and employability.

Cleantech Solar has secured a long-term senior secured loan facility worth INR 6.25 billion (over $75.2 million) from Tata Capital Ltd to advance its open-access projects in India.