India

The state’s second attempt to tender for 500 MW of capacity has made a mockery of predictions of rising PV electricity prices and exonerated utility for cancelling previous procurement round. But the absence of India’s cheapest solar energy generator from the latest exercise could be telling.

The second day of REI in Greater Noida continues to attract large numbers of delegates, with the exhibition halls crowded, and conferences well attended. During an EU-Indian session this morning, India’s CEEW boldly stated that India is the largest clean energy market in the world, which will operate on market-friendly principles. Overall, CEO, Arunabha Ghosh outlined four basic vows needed for the Indian renewables market to grow; and said decarbonzation of the industrial sector should be the next big focus for renewables.

The Indian module manufacturer and EPC contractor has commissioned a 1.46 MW rooftop solar PV installation for Century Plyboards (India) Limited.

The 12th Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo opened its doors today; the booming music and bright sunshine mirroring India’s ambitious goals to become the biggest RE market in the world. In the opening conference, the government’s commitment to renewables was underlined, while BNEF said the country will have one of the highest penetrations of solar and wind, globally, by 2050. Companies are also starting to look to India for manufacturing opportunities, although the landscape is still filled with uncertainty.

Of the total 9,538 MW of solar capacity commissioned between October 2017 and September 2018, Adani bagged the lion’s share at 11%, followed by Acme (7.5%) and Renew Power (7.3%), finds Bridge to India. The analyst company also tracks tariff trends between 2016 and now.

South Africa’s Phelan Energy Group has reached financial close on its 50 MW solar PV project, located in Rajasthan. It is set to be online by October.

In an interview with pv magazine, vice president of GoodWe, Ron Shen, talks about the company’s plans for Germany, Spain, Africa and India, in addition to its goal to triple production capacity to 15 GW in China. He also discusses the effect of China’s 31/5 policy change, and plans for an initial public offering (IPO).

India’s electricity sector is transforming rapidly. A 50% decline in wind and solar tariffs since 2016 means renewable energy is now the lowest cost source of new generation. This has turned the established order in India on its head.

There is no doubting the tough environmental challenges facing PV modules and systems among the varied climactic conditions of India. These conditions have created earlier failures than seen in mature solar markets, with less diverse temperature fluctuations, such as Europe. DuPont’s Rajaram Pai says awareness of this is growing, however more needs to be done.

The decision to tax the ‘service’ provided to solar developers at the full rate comes days after the Supreme Court upheld the federal government’s imposition of a 25% safeguarding duty on Chinese and Malaysian panels.