Has solar lost its sheen for India’s EV push?
While India’s recent union budget announced steps to create an electric vehicle market, the solar sector still has issues that have not been addressed.
TERI and Cadmus launch rooftop solar market aggregator program
The I-SMART program aims to aggregate demand for 1 GW rooftop solar systems across four states and two union territories. It simplifies rooftop solar installation by providing a range of services both to the partner installers and prospective customers on a single-window web portal.
By 2030, solar tariffs in India could fall below Rs 2 per unit
The cost of wind would fall to Rs 2.3-2.6/kWh, while solar tariff would reduce to Rs 1.9-2.3/kWh. The cost of storage will fall by about 70%, according to a report.
Hybrid solar container system launched for off-grid markets
The PV system was launched recently by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in partnership with STEAG Energy Services. It can provide 24-hour electricity even without grid connection, and is expected to generate around 10,000 kWh annually.
Gujarat to buy solar power from salt farmers
Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has allowed Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) to procure 2.7 MW solar power generated by salt pan workers of Self-Employed Women Association (SEWA) during off-season.
Comments sought on BIS standards for solar pumping systems
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited comments of all the stakeholders on the solar PV water pumping system specifications set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Solar pump testing and research lab coming up at TERI
The test facility, to be set up by the Maxop Research and Testing Institute, will be capable of testing solar water pumping systems and other solar products in compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards guidelines and international standards.
Solar City Initiative phase two launched in Delhi
The programme allows the installation of solar roof atop apartment blocks, which otherwise could not install such systems. Potential in the area is around 15 MW, of which 6 MW have been signed up for already. Another 5 MW should be developed in this second phase of the project.
Making India’s solar sector resource efficient
By adopting resource efficiency measures, the Indian PV solar manufacturing sector can reduce its material requirement from an estimated 12 million tons to 8.2 million tons by 2030. The resource-efficient approach will also increase efficiency to more than 30% from 6% in 2018, according to a study conducted under the European Union’s Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI) Project.
Guyana, and Togo ratify ISA framework
With two new countries, the Republic of Guyana, and Togo, the number of nations to have ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement has reached 21. ISA will host 6th International Steering Committee (ISC) meeting on February 20.
