India

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has issued a request for proposals for solar PV rooftop demonstration projects in member countries under its Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model. The aim is to promote solar among ISA member countries.

2017 was a busy year for India’s solar industry. As of the end of November, the country had installed around 5.5 GW of PV. With its ambitious renewable energy goals, it is paving the way to becoming a world leader in the industry. Overall, the country saw a rapid increase in renewable energy activity, with solar dominating almost 48% share of total capacity installed.

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited has installed a 50 MW solar PV project at Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka under the country’s Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) program.

Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has announced a 120 MW solar PV tender for the installation of various projects ranging from 500 kW to 3 MW in size. CEL has simultaneously released three more tenders related to solar cells and 100 kW PV installations on railway coaches.

All India Solar Industries Association (AISIA) has urged the government to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the balance of systems for solar equipment. The association said that components like inverters, cables and transformers under GST are charged at 5-8%. Previously, they were charged 2% central sales tax and no excise duty.

The thermal energy giant of India has commissioned a 130 MW solar plant in the state of Tamil Nadu, comprised of two, 65 MW blocks across 655 acres.

MNRE head RK Singh delivers a lowdown on India’s current solar installations, recent policies that the government has initiated, and the customs issues with imported solar modules.

GAIL, which is a state-owned provider of gas, commissioned a 5.76 MW rooftop PV array at its Pata petrochemicals plant in Uttar Pradesh at the end of 2017.

ReNew Power Ventures, which is backed by Goldman Sachs, is exploring an opportunity to acquire the solar assets of Waaree Energies ahead of a planned IPO, reports Mint.

Five Indian solar firms have filed an application for the imposition of import duties on solar cells with the Directorate General of Safeguards in a move designed to boost domestic manufacturing and protect local interests.