News

Two related challenges have become barriers to increasing penetration levels for rooftop solar: the hosting capacity of the grid, and the need to maintain stability during periods of peak demand. The Future PV Roundtable, held alongside The smarter E event in Munich, looked at how distributed energy resources such as PV and battery storage, along with demand-side flexibility, can help to meet these challenges – all thanks to VPPs.

Decentralized model of solar project development has avoided the need to spend huge amounts on grid upgrades in India’s newest state. With EV charging plans advancing Telangana now intends to change policy to reflect falling solar costs.

Projects with a total capacity of 250 MW—by Renew Energy and CSE Development—will be set up over land identified in Una and Kangra districts of the state.

The projects—to be set up on ‘build-own-operate’ basis—will be awarded through bidding followed by reverse auction with tariff ceiling fixed at Rs2.95/kWh for 25 years. Bidding closes on September 25.

With the 200 hydrogen bikes offered to journalists and world leaders at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France proving popular, manufacturer Pragma Industries has received an order for 1,000 of them from Chilean president Sebastian Pinera. The company’s founder, Pierre Forté, wants the bike to have a societal impact in developing countries.

Solargiga highlighted the fact safeguarding duty has recently been reduced in India when considering solar opportunities around the world as part of its first-half update to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The energy storage company is ramping up R&D efforts to try and fast-track commercialization of the more productive – and more expensive – battery tech. The news was announced as part of an uninspiring first-half update thanks to falling lithium salt prices.

Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has invited bids for the setting up of about 16 MW of ‘Capex mode’ grid-connected rooftop solar power plants on government buildings in the state. Bidding closes on September 23.

Vehicle-to-grid functions could soon become increasingly important. While policymakers discuss the necessary regulations in other nations, the Netherlands government is motoring ahead with the technology.

The state plans to achieve half the amount by 2021-22 under its new draft solar policy. The package also suggests establishing a research hub, privately financed solar parks and encouraging commercial self-consumption of clean energy.