China’s Trina Solar hits new efficiency record for IBC cell
Trina Solar has set a new record of 25.04% total area efficiency for an n-type interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cell. The record has been independently verified by Japan Electric Safety and Environmental Technology Laboratory.
Energy Access Summit 2018 highlights
The India Energy access summit held in India on February 12-13, 2018 in New Delhi, saw discussions on the decentralized renewable energy sector from various organizations and institutions, including few announcements.
West Bengal: WBPDCL plans 10 MW floating solar power plant
West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd (WBPDCL) has tendered a 5 MW floating solar power plant at Sagardighi thermal power plant in the first phase.
Philips, Orb Energy lighten Barefoot College in Rajasthan
New 116 kW solar off-grid system will power the old Tilonia campus of the Barefoot College – working in various fields, including women empowerment, for the advance of rural communities through solar power.
Interview: Combining umbrella with solar
In an interview with pv magazine, Thinkphi founder Samit Choksi discusses the company’s expansion into sustainable product development and how solar energy is being harvested through it.
Rockefeller Foundation, Ckers Finance partner to develop India’s decentralized renewable energy sector
U.S.-based Rockefeller Foundation has partnered with cKers Finance, a New-Delhi based finance company, to help develop the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector in India. cKers will invest $50 million across DRE and sustainable energy portfolio in the near term.
Gujarat: GUVNL tenders 500 MW solar project
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has announced a 500 MW grid-connected solar PV power project to be set up in the state of Gujarat. The project can be extended to 1 GW with an additional 500 MW under the ‘Greenshoe’ option.
ISA drafts program for scaling solar E-Mobility & Storage to be launched at ISA Solar Summit, India
ISA is seeking recommendations for their ISA program 5: ‘Scaling Solar E-mobility & Storage.’ The program will be launched on March 11, 2018, during the ISA solar summit.
The weekend read: Foggy days ahead for Indian solar
India is planning to impose a safeguard duty this year to protect its domestic solar manufacturing sector. Many in the industry earnestly believe that if such duties were to be imposed, then a slowing down in market growth would be inevitable. However, the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) believes this will not be the case. Either way, this duty has created unwanted uncertainty in the market.
US rejects establishment of compliance panel, disagreeing with India’s WTO claim
The United States blocks India’s request for a panel to investigate Indian compliance to solar cells ruling. Thus, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has deferred the establishment of a compliance panel. Moreover, U.S. reserves its right to obtain WTO authorization to take countermeasures against India, but there is desire to find a bilateral resolution.
