Latest Solar Energy News India Aug'21

Latest Solar Energy News from India:

1. The study, “Mapping India’s Energy Subsidies 2021: Time for renewed support to clean energy”, by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water found that subsidies to renewable energy fell from Rs 15,470 crore in the fiscal year 2017 to Rs 8,577 crore in the fiscal year 2020.
2. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), between FY 2017 to FY 2019, the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) electricity demand rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5-6% whereas the grid tariff rose at 1-2% every year. The C & I segment consumes approximately 49% of the total electricity produced in the country.
3. The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved the tariff of ₹3.29 (~$0.044)/kWh based on a petition filed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) for a grid-connected floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project with a capacity of 150 MW.
4. Vikram Solar Ltd and Waaree Energies Ltd have hired investment banks for their respective initial public offerings (IPOs), three people aware of the matter said, as the solar panel makers aim to expand business riding the drive for local manufacturing.
5. Premier Energy facility can manufacture the latest metal catalyst chemical etching textured multi-crystalline cells, mono passivated emitter, and rear cells (PERC), while the module making facility is capable of producing the latest multi busbar half-cut and bifacial modules.
6. Tata Power Solar will set up India’s first large scale battery storage of 50 megawatt hour (MWh) along with a 50 MW solar plant at Leh, the company said in a statement. he order value of the project is ÌNR 386 crores. The commercial operation date for this project is set for March 2023,” the statement said.
7. Higher prices of photovoltaic panels, steel, wires and invertors have hit the rooftop solar energy scheme for 45 MW with only projects worth 23 MW getting commissioned. The scheme, which was supposed to end in March this year, has been extended and will close on August 31.
8. Solar Rooftop Model in Delhi: The developers of rooftop solar (RTS) were identified through competitive bidding in the capital. Zero-investment Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, which provides energy to consumers from renewable energy sources, was adopted for the project.
9. The report entitled “Last Chance Saloon for Gen 3 CSP” outlines how new technology developed in the West means that CSP can now provide temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius and even higher, enabling the technology to play a role in the decarbonization of the cement, steelmaking, and mining industries. Though still small compared to the photovoltaic or wind power sectors, we expect annual CSP development to be an over $10 billion global industry by the end of this decade.
10. Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction for 1,200 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid power projects (Tranche-IV): NTPC won a capacity of 450 MW, NLC India (150 MW), and Ayana Renewable (450 MW), each quoting ₹2.34 (~$0.031)/kWh. Azure Power quoted ₹2.35 (~$0.032)/kWh for 300 MW but was only awarded 150 MW under the bucket filling method.
11. Promoting solar irrigation pumps by offering substantial investment subsidies (SIP): It will help relieve the DISCOM’s subsidy burden from Rs 30,000-35,000 per year per SIP. SIPs will help move towards a zero-carbon footprint in the groundwater economy by decreasing reliability on fossil fuel-based electricity production. The only possible drawback of SIPs could be the risk of the over-exploitation of groundwater since on-demand cheap power will always be available after introduction of SIPs in the corridor.
12. Reliance Industries is close to acquiring REC Group, the largest solar panel manufacturer in Europe, for $1-1.2 billion from China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina), said people aware of the matter.