Vice President Naidu stresses on solar cities, smart grids, and EVs
India needs to adopt renewable energy and electric vehicles in a big way to meet the twin goals of energy security and climate protection.
Financing key to scaling up SME rooftop solar in India — Deloitte
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is expected to make a significant contribution to India’s rooftop PV target of 40 GW by 2022. However, a range of issues — including low public awareness, the scarcity of low-cost financing and the need for rooftop aggregation models — must be addressed before rooftop solar can be aggressively scaled up, according to a new report from Deloitte and the Climate Investment Funds (CIF).
State can’t curtail solar power at convenience, says Tamil Nadu electricity regulator
Following a petition by National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) stated that the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) cannot curtail renewable power at convenience.
1.7 MW solar project with storage tendered for Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL) has invited bids for setting up of 1.7 MW (AC) grid-connected solar PV projects with battery storage in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The projects—to be implemented on turnkey basis in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)—would be awarded through competitive bidding followed by reverse auction.
Will India’s RE push kill the critically endangered great Indian bustard?
Amid the hubbub surrounding India’s renewable energy ambitions, few people have likely heard the last wails of a critically endangered great Indian bustard as it chars to death on a power transmission line or fatally collides with a wind turbine.
Interview: Rajaram Pai, DuPont Photovoltaics and Advanced Materials
Not many people know it, but DuPont’s India connection goes back to 1802, when the company started importing raw materials from the country for its first product: black powder for explosives for its plant in the United States. In 1974, it opened its first liaison office in India, while its first wholly owned subsidiary in the country was set up 20 years later. Today, DuPont India has a significant local footprint across a range of market segments in India, including solar PV.
CNG provider IGL and Tata Power team up for solar projects and EV charging
Tata Power will set up rooftop solar projects for Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) establishments. The two companies will also explore the feasibility of large-scale ‘group captive’ solar power projects for IGL’s own consumption, and commercial-scale charging and/or battery swapping stations for electric vehicles.
India gets access to Bolivia’s lithium for EV batteries
Bolivia will provide India with access to its lithium carbonate, and also facilitate joint ventures for lithium battery/cell production plants in India. The partnership will provide a major fillip to India’s ambitious e-mobility plans.
India slaps anti-dumping duty on solar EVA sheets
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGTR) has concluded that the imposition of a duty, in the range of $537-1,559/metric ton, is required to offset the injury caused by imports of solar ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) sheets from China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. The harshest penalty—$1,559/metric ton (MT)—has been imposed on sheets supplied from any Saudi manufacturer other than Saudi Specialized Products.
Module contract disputes: India seeks China action on CSUN and CEEG
India’s Ministry of External Affairs is approaching Chinese authorities, demanding CSUN Trading and CEEG Solar Science to meet the contractual obligations to the Indian companies and also to honour the arbitration award. Further, it has cautioned Indian stakeholders against procuring PV modules from these high-risk companies that have over 160 court cases against them—mostly for breach of contract.
