CSIR-CMERI develops rotating solar power tree
The solar tree—costing around Rs 3 lakh for 3 kW capacity—auto tracks the sun to generate 10-15% extra power.
There is a need for online solar platforms in India
Most residential customers buy PV systems by obtaining quotes directly from PV installers. However, this can prove time consuming, costly and ineffective. Homeowners need an online quote platform, which offers a seamless buying experience. This can increase solar power awareness among Indian homeowners and help grow the adoption of rooftop solar power in the Indian residential market.
IndianOil to invest $3.7bn in green energy projects
The fossil fuel giant announced the plan in its latest annual results. The company envisages rolling out electric vehicle chargers at its petrol and diesel stations.
IIT Kanpur invites EoI for solar-plus-storage smart grid pilots
A total of three smart grid field pilots are to be set up—two inside the IIT Kanpur campus and one at two village hamlets in Kanpur—under a U.S.-India collaborative project on smart distribution system with storage. The deadline for EoI submission is August 30.
NTPC reveals plan to build 5 GW in Gujarat, opens global bids for 1.2 GW
The utility has revealed plans to invest roughly $3 billion in the construction of a 5 GW solar park across two to three locations in Gujarat’s Kutch region. In a separate announcement, the New Delhi-based group opened global bidding to build 1.2 GW of grid-connected solar capacity throughout India.
MNRE opens renewables innovation challenge to startups
Startups and individuals are invited to submit their innovative ideas to solve some of the key challenges through application of renewable energy. The innovation should at least be in prototype stage and feasible for deployment. The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs10 lakh, while the first runner up will earn Rs7 lakh and the second runner up Rs5 lakh. Applications close on August 31.
Gujarat targets 2 lakh solar rooftop consumers by April
New incentive scheme will see state government offering up to 40% subsidy towards cost of residential solar systems with the aim of adding 8 lakh of new arrays by 2022.
Kerala invites EoI for setting up 64 EV charging stations
The charging stations will come up in Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram districts of the state, mostly on Kerala State Electricity Board or government land. The last date for submission of expression of interest is October 4.
India presents a $500-700 billion opportunity in renewables: IEEFA
The ambitious renewable energy target of 523 GW by 2030, coupled with conducive government policies announced recently, will pave the way for increased renewable investment in the coming decade.
UK university to research solar-powered cold chains for Indian agriculture
The University of Birmingham is a research partner on the Solar Cooling Initiative of International Solar Alliance that aims to spread the use of solar and solar-hybrid energy in agriculture.
