Removal of priority-sector lending cap – solar industry reaction
The power minister’s proposal would be a step in the right direction towards meeting the 40 GW rooftop solar target, as it removes a financing hurdle for small and medium enterprises.
Latest 1.2 GW of solar capacity awarded at Rs2.54 ahead of safeguarding duty fall
SECI’s 1.2 GW solar auction saw four companies – Ayana Renewable, ReNew Power, Azure Power and Mahindra Susten – secure a combined capacity of 1.15 GW at Rs2.54/kWh. Avaada Energy won the remaining 50 MW, at Rs2.55.
Europe announces plans for battery gigafactories
In news that will add urgency to Indian government efforts to establish a domestic storage industry, funding has apparently been secured for 16 GWh-plus production lines in Sweden and Germany. Is India at risk of being left in the starting blocks?
Plug-in hybrid cars have no longevity – stick to pure electric
A report on the prospects for a mooted $2.6tn electric vehicle market over the next decade says PHEVs – part electric, part gas-guzzling – are already losing market share rapidly to pure electric rivals, and will be extinct by 2030.
Bifacial beats Trump’s tariffs
Federal trade authorities in the U.S. have ruled bifacial solar modules will no longer be subject to the Section 201 ruling which applies a 25% tariff to solar panel imports.
Solar trees find more homes
Solar trees—like the ones at The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Gujarat—are set to make their way into the residential complexes of central government employees as the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) looks to harness solar energy to the maximum extent possible.
Mahindra launches renewable energy asset care company
Starting its journey as a department within Mahindra Group’s solar EPC company Mahindra Susten, the newly formed comprehensive asset care company for renewable energy customers aims to reach a 20 GWp global portfolio by 2022 from 4 GWp currently.
Madhya Pradesh tenders 500 MW grid-scale energy storage
State-owned Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) has invited domestic and global players for providing grid-scale energy storage services of up to 500 MW with 8 hours of daily discharge and setting up a storage manufacturing facility in the state. The deadline for proposal submission is August 2.
NTPC tenders 1 GW solar PV projects across India
State-owned power generator NTPC has invited bids for development of 1 GW grid-connected solar PV projects under Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) scheme Phase-II (Tranche-I). The projects are to be set up on turnkey basis under domestic content requirement category, anywhere in India. These will be awarded through domestic competitive bidding followed by reverse auction.
Azure Power turns a profit
The NYSE-listed developer appears to have turned the corner after reporting a full year profit of Rs138,493 after a Rs10 lakh loss a year ago. Borrowings are on the rise though, as the company plans to drum up an ever larger project portfolio.
