Page 6 - Solar Energy

Wind industry seeks policy parity, infra support to meet energy goals

As the Union Budget approaches, industry leaders hope for measures that will align policy, infrastructure, and investment to further strengthen India's renewable energy sector

Andhra Pradesh investment board approves projects worth Rs 44,776 crore

Andhra Pradesh investment board has approved projects worth Rs 44,776 crore this month, largely in the clean energy space, which will generate 19,580 jobs, the state government said. Of the projects approved, Rs 42,932 crore worth of projects are in the energy sector, mostly solar energy. The energy projects cleared include Rs 14,328 crore investment by Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd and Rs 10,300 crore investment by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. Other companies whose projects were cleared include Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (RS 2,000 crore), Ayana Renewable Power Pvt Ltd (Rs 4,435 crore), Ampin Energy Transition Pvt Ltd (Rs 3,142 crore), SAEL Solar MHP1 Pvt Ltd (Rs 1,728 crore), SAEL Solar MHP2 Pvt Ltd (Rs 1,728 crore), Cuddapah Renewables Pvt Ltd (Rs 1,163 crore) and Ecoren Energy India Pvt Ltd (Rs 1,651 crore). According to the state government, Rs 1,844 crore worth of projects in other sectors were also approved. Since July 2024, the State Investment Promotio

Govt revises quality control order to promote high-quality PV products

The government has notified a revised Quality Control Order (QCO) to promote high-quality and efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) products, an official statement said on Wednesday. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has notified the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025, which revises and supersedes the existing Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices, and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017. "The order aligns with the government's commitment to promoting high-quality and efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) products for sustainable energy development. It aims to enhance product reliability, ensure safety, and support India's ambitious renewable energy targets," the MNRE statement said. The revised order will come into effect 180 days from the date of publication. The order covers Solar PV modules, Inverters to be used in solar PV applications and storage batteries.

Sembcorp launches first greenfield largest utility-scale solar farm in Oman

Sembcorp Industries, headquartered in Singapore, launched its 588 MW solar power project in Oman on Friday. Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said of the Royal Family and the second son of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, inaugurated the project, the company said. The plant is Sembcorp's first greenfield renewables development project in the Middle East and also the 'largest utility-scale solar farm' in the global renewables portfolio of the company. "The inauguration of Manah 2 Solar Power Plant marks a key milestone in Sembcorp's commitment to Oman's transition to a sustainable future, and strengthening (its) partnership with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company. As Sembcorp's largest utility-scale solar plant globally, it supports Oman's Vision 2040 by advancing the nation's renewable energy targets," said Sembcorp Industries, CEO of Middle East and Chairman, South Asia, Vipul Tuli. The plant would provide clean energy to approximately 60,000 households, reducing carbon emissions, he said in

India, US, West Asia to add 100 GW solar capacity in 2025: Wood Mac report

India, the US and Middle East are together expected to add 100 GW of solar capacity in 2025, while China will remain a dominant player in the sector, Wood Mackenzie has said. According to its latest research, the module prices will also increase this year, after two years of low solar panel prices due to global overcapacity. This will compensate for the significant losses in profits that manufacturers experienced, it said. "Emerging hubs in India, the US and the Middle East are expected to add at least 100 GW to the global solar manufacturing capacity," Wood Mackenzie said. China will remain the dominant manufacturing hub. China will continue to be the world's solar manufacturing centre with 75 per cent (1.2 TW (terawatts) of the global operational capacity for major module components, the report said. Wood Mackenzie said that coordination by Chinese manufacturers, supported by the Chinese government, will be the key to bringing about rationalisation of the industry. In 2025, adv

Indian Railways to receive 170 MW of solar energy from Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh government plans to increase the production capacity of renewable energy to 20,000 MW by the year 2030

Work in progress to power up Rajasthan govt's solar energy capacity

"The day is not far off when the state will not only fulfil its own needs but also supply electricity to other areas of the country," Rajasthan Minister of State for Energy Heeralal Nagar said

Govt approves 2 new payment methods for rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has come out with new guidelines, allowing two more payment methods for the installation of rooftop solar system under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The move will ensure payment security as well as the grant of subsidy to households in case of payments through Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) and utility-led aggregation models. The ministry has notified scheme guidelines for implementation of 'Payment Security Mechanism' component and 'Central Financial Assistance' component for RESCO models/ utility-led aggregation models under PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, an official statement said. Under this scheme, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for payment security mechanism (PSM) for de-risking investments in RESCO-based grid-connected rooftop solar models in residential sectors, which may be supplemented through other grants, funds and sources after due approval, the statement said. Under the RESCO model, third-party entities invest .

India must lead in sunrise sectors to reach $32 trn economy by 2047: Kant

India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday said the country needs to become a global champion in sunrise sectors to achieve the target of becoming a developed nation and USD 32 trillion economy by 2047. Addressing the 'Bharat Climate Forum 2025', Kant further said the US, Europe and India have lost the art of manufacturing, and this will have huge implications for the global economy. "My belief is that without India becoming a global champion in sunrise sectors, we would not be able to achieve the target of becoming a developed nation by 2047, we will never be able to become a USD 32 trillion economy," he said. Kant pointed out that in solar panel manufacturing, Indian industries are 5-7 years behind the curve. Noting that India's industry is persistently focusing on fossil fuel vehicles, he said, "If you do not become a manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs), then you will lose the EV market globally". The former Niti Aayog CEO said if India does not make a major radical shift ..

India adds record 24 GW solar power capacity in 2024: JMK Research

In a recent report, JMK said: "In 2024 (January to December), India added about 24.5 GW of solar and 3.4 GW of wind capacity

Trina Solar sets world record for its technology's conversion efficieny

In laboratory tests, Trina's large surface area n-type fully passivated heterojunction (HJT) modules demonstrated an efficiency of 25.44 per cent

Thanks to India's IPO surge, seven entrepreneurs become billionaires

Saluja is one of the four entrepreneurs in the renewable energy space whose personal fortunes have soared after their companies listed on the stock exchanges last year

SECI power deals cannot be scrapped without solid proof: Andhra CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the state government cannot scrap power purchase agreements with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) without obtaining solid proof of bribery allegations. The Chief Minister's comments assume significance in the backdrop of Adani being indicted by the US Department of Justice over his role in an alleged years-long scheme to pay USD 250 million bribes to Indian officials in exchange for favourable solar power contracts, including from Andhra Pradesh. This allegation was refuted by the Indian conglomerate. The previous YSRCP regime in Andhra Pradesh is embroiled in this alleged scam with claims that government officials received bribes from the Adani Group, which reportedly amounted to Rs 1,750 crore. We are getting proper documentation and once we get that then we will take action (if there was any corruption involved). If we cancel the MoUs right away then it may lead to legal issues and unnecessary complications, Naid

Solar pump scheme helps 29,000 Rajasthan farmers in a year

Under the scheme, solar-powered pumps with capacities of 3, 5, 7.5, and 10 horsepower (HP) can be installed, but the subsidy is payable only up to 7.5 HP capacity

Maha farmers to drive second green revolution with green energy: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that adopting green energy will allow farmers in the state to lead the second green revolution soon. He said solar-powered villages are being developed across the state to ensure electricity is available to farmers during the daytime. "Adoption of green energy will pave the way for Maharashtra's farmers to lead the second green revolution in the near future," the chief minister said. Fadnavis inaugurated projects at Umbratha in Washim district and Narangwadi in Dharashiv district under the Chief Minister's Solar Agriculture Feeder Project 2.0 via video conferencing. He said the Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme would provide farmers with sustainable and free electricity during the day. Currently, 16,000 MW of electricity is supplied to agriculturists in Maharashtra. Fadnavis said the initiative to shift all feeders (a power line that transmits electricity from a substation or generating station to distribution points) to s

Siemens Gamesa sells power electronics biz to ABB for undisclosed amount

Siemens Gamesa on Wednesday announced selling its power electronics business to ABB which includes assets in India for an undisclosed amount. The business designs and manufactures converters, inverters and control cabinets for wind, solar and storage industries, Siemens Energy said in a statement. The generators business of Gamesa Electric is not included in the agreement and remains with Siemens Gamesa, it said. "Siemens Gamesa has reached an agreement to sell its power electronics business to ABB. The agreement includes the transfer of around 400 employees, two manufacturing plants located in Spain, as well as additional assets in the US, China, India and Australia," the company said. As part of the transaction, both companies have entered a long-term collaboration agreement through which ABB will provide power electronics to Siemens Gamesa turbines, both onshore and offshore. The transaction is expected to be closed in the second half of 2025 and is subject to regulatory approv

Reliance NU Suntech secures 930 MW solar, 465 MW battery energy projects

Reliance Power on Tuesday said its arm Reliance NU Suntech has secured a solar project of 930 MW and 465 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The project will see the second largest deployment of grid storage batteries at a single site in Asia, after China, a company statement said. According to the statement, Reliance Power subsidiary, Reliance NU Suntech Private Ltd (Reliance NU Suntech) received a Letter of Award from SECI for its proposed Solar 930 MW and 465 MW/1860 MWh BESS projects. The competitive tariff with an assured supply of peak power for 4 hours daily will be a relief for DISCOMs that have had to consistently buy power from the power exchanges during peak hours at the cap of Rs 10 per unit. Reliance NU Suntech won the 930 MW solar energy contract in an e-reverse auction held on December 9, 2024. As per the terms of the tender, Reliance NU Suntech will also install a minimum storage capacity of 465 MW/1,860 MW

SECI changes bidding policy after bribery allegations on Adani Group

About 75 per cent of SECI's new bids for renewable power will now be based on specific demand from states instead of the earlier practice of mainly seeking power suppliers first through tenders

Inox Green, Inox Wind shares gain up to 4% on Group's foray into solar mfg

Inox Green rose up to 4.40 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 182.50 per share, while Inox Wind increased as much as 1.60 per cent to an intraday high of Rs 211.50 per share

Govt announces ALMM for PV cells to push India's green energy transition

The government on Tuesday announced an Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells on the lines of module manufacturing to boost India's transition towards green energy. The government is aiming to make the second list (List II) under the ALMM for solar PV cells effective June 1, 2026, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said in a statement. From June 2026, all solar PV modules used in projects including government-backed schemes, net-metering projects, and open-access renewable energy initiatives will be required to source their solar cells from ALMM List-II, ensuring quality and reliability in solar PV cells used in India's energy infrastructure, the MNRE said in a statement. "MNRE announces a significant amendment to the ALMM Order, 2019, which will have far-reaching implications for India's solar power sector and its clean energy transition," the statement said. An exemption will apply for projects that have already been either awarded or ...