Uttar Pradesh, Haryana will lead open access solar by 2022
States such as Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, which previously took the lead in terms of installed solar capacity, are likely to take a back seat on this issue, due to the rollback of incentives.
Will the falling rupee scupper India’s solar dream?
The currency is reaching new lows. As concerns about Turkey’s economic woes persisted last week, the rupee hit a record low of 70.32 to the dollar, having breached the historic 70 mark earlier in the week.
Almost 60 GW of new solar by 2023
A combination of national, state and public body commitments could see the amount of PV added nationally treble on the last four-year period. But even with a new 7-8 GW added, rooftop solar will still be bringing up the rear.
Cumulative grid connected solar capacity reaches 22 GW
According to the latest figures from the MNRE, cumulative grid-connected ground-mounted solar PV capacity has reached 22 GW in India, with 1.3 GW connected between this April to July. Module prices, meanwhile, are said to have come down “considerably”.
State-owned miner plans 300 MW of solar
The Singareni Collieries Company plans to pump more than Rs400 crore into nine PV projects across its operations in Telangana state. The largest of the new installations will be two 60 MW plants.
SECI announces 160 MW tender for hybrid storage project
The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has announced a tender for a 160 MW wind, solar and storage plant to be located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Wind-solar hybrid policy amended to include all storage technologies
In the latest amendment to India’s National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, the word “battery” has been removed from a number of clauses, while the scope of storage has been broadened to include all technologies, like pumped hydro, compressed air and flywheel.
Low tariff secured for NTPC’s 2 GW solar auction
Amidst the Indian government’s yo-yoing on the 25% safeguard duty, the National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) auction to develop 2 GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar PV projects attracted a low winning tariff of Rs. 2.59 (US$0.0372) per unit.
KfW signs €200 million loan agreement with REC for rural PV development
In 2015, Germany and India signed a deal outlining plans by Germany to provide loans amounting to €1 billion for the development of Indian solar PV plans. Loans are provided through development bank, KfW. On the Indian side, REC issues low-interest loan schemes in conjunction with private sector participation to disperse the funds.
Solar Imports: India defers safeguard duty, provides relief to ongoing projects
Even though postponing the duty on solar cell imports from China and Malaysia is not a long-term resolution, it will offer relief to developers with ongoing PV projects, especially for those with shipments in transit or which arrived after 30 July.
