Page 7 - Solar Energy

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 ...

Andhra Pradesh discoms to procure about 2000 MW power from SECI next FY

Andhra Pradesh power distribution companies have decided to procure about 2,000 mw of power from SECI out of the total 7000 mw in demand for the agricultural sector for the next fiscal, as per the latest filing by these companies with the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission. The move comes weeks after the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) agreement with Andhra discoms became controversial after the US charged Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in a years-long scheme to allegedly pay USD 250 million bribe to Indian officials including those from Andhra, in exchange for favourable solar power contracts in 2021 when the YSRCP was in power. The allegation has been refuted by the Indian conglomerate. The opposition YSRCP has also dismissed the charges. According to the filings, Aggregate Revenue Requirement and Tariff Proposal for the Retail Supply Business for FY 2025-26 by Southern Power Distribution Company of AP Ltd (SPDCL), Eastern Power Distribution Company Of Andhra Pradesh

Tirunelveli powers India's solar ambitions with a new facility by Tata

With a capacity of 4.3 gigawatt (Gw) each for cells and modules, the plant is designed with many open spaces available for future expansion

Tata Power prefers domestic market over lucrative solar exports: CEO

The export of Indian modules has surged more than 23 times during the last two years, with the United States accounting for more than 97% of India's exports

Govt signs pact for solar projects in Fiji, Comros, Madagascar, Seychelles

This development comes after India committed to invest $2 million in new solar projects in these Indo-Pacific countries under Quad Climate Working Group initiative

Adanis knew of US probe when they sold assets to TotalEnergies: Prosecutors

TotalEnergies bought a 20% stake in Adani Green Energy in January 2021 - after the Indian company won what was then the world's largest solar order

SECI signs MoU with H2Global Stiftung to promote green hydrogen initiatives

State-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has inked an initial pact with H2Global Stiftung to establish a collaborative framework to promote Green Hydrogen initiatives. This aims to enhance knowledge exchange on market-based mechanisms and foster cooperation between India and importing countries, thereby contributing to the global advancement of the green hydrogen economy, according to an official statement. According to the statement SECI, under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with H2Global Stiftung to establish a collaborative framework to promote Green Hydrogen initiatives. The collaboration offers India the opportunity to work on joint tender design concepts, particularly in structuring joint tenders that aligns with India's ambition to become export hub of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The cooperation may provide valuable insights into global hydrogen market dynamics, including trade logistics and stakeholde

SECI weighs criminal action against Reliance Power over fake bid documents

SECI said on Wednesday that the bank guarantee submitted by the unit, Reliance NU BESS, was also fake

Reliance Power shares drop 5% after it gets debarred from SECI for 3 yrs

Shares of Reliance Power Ltd fell by 5 per cent on Friday as the company and Reliance NU BESS Ltd have been debarred from participating in Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) tenders for three years for allegedly submitting "fake documents". The stock tanked 4.99 per cent to Rs 41.47 -- its lower circuit limit -- on the BSE. On the NSE, shares of the firm dropped 5 per cent to hit the lowest trading permissible limit for the day at Rs 41.58. In a note, SECI said, "Based on the examination of documents submitted by Maharashtra Energy Generation, now known as Reliance NU BESS (for a project), it was discovered that as per the tender requirements, the endorsement of the Bank Guarantee against EMD (issued by a foreign Bank), as submitted by the Bidder, was fake." The issue is related to the RfS issued by SECI for setting up 1000 MW/2000 MWh Standalone BESS Projects under tariff-based competitive bidding. Since the above discrepancy was discovered subsequent to the e-reverse .

Uttar Pradesh government partners NTPC to float solar power plants

The state has already received new and renewable energy investment proposals of ~7 trillion, of which ~57,000 crore worth of projects came under the UP State Bio-Energy Policy 2022

Global solar investments set to reach $500 bn this year: Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday asserted that global solar investments will touch USD 500 billion this year from the USD 393 billion level in 2023 and said it is the most affordable energy source in many regions, surpassing coal and gas. These investments are not only adding new capacity but also driving down the cost of energy from solar worldwide, Joshi, the minister of new and renewable energy, said addressing the inaugural session of 7th General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Joshi, who is also President of ISA, said, "This rapid growth is fuelled by record-breaking investments. Global solar investments have grown from USD 144 billion in 2018 to USD 393 billion in 2023 and are expected to reach USD 500 billion by the end of 2024." Today, he stated, solar power has become the most affordable source of electricity in many regions, surpassing coal and gas. He also informed that ISA is guided by the 'Towards 1000' strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,00

Servotech Power Systems Q2 results: Net profit grows to Rs 11.2 cr

Servotech Power Systems on Monday reported over three-fold rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 11.24 crore in September quarter, aided by higher income. Its "net profit for the period" was at Rs 3.12 crore in the July-September period of preceding 2023-24 fiscal, the company said in an exchange filing. The company's total income rose over two-fold to Rs 200.06 crore from Rs 86.59 crore in the year-ago period. In the April-September, the company has reported a two-fold rise in net profit to 15.73 crore from Rs 7.23 crore recorded in the six-month period last fiscal. In a separate statement, the company said it has introduced a new range of energy solutions. "High-tech range of solar on-grid inverters, solar hybrid inverters, solar micro inverters, battery energy storage systems, and solar pump controllers have been brought in alignment with schemes like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM Scheme," the company said. The solutions targeting residential and commercial roof

Solex Energy partners with SBI to provide finance for solar projects

Solex Energy on Saturday said it has partnered with State Bank of India (SBI) to offer solar financing options for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. As part of the partnership, SBI will offer solar financing through loans up to Rs 10 crore for solar projects under its Surya Shakti Solar Finance Scheme across India, Solex Energy said in a statement. "The collaboration aims to make solar energy accessible, affordable, and a driving force for India's renewable energy future. The partnership will accelerate the growth of solar energy and empower our clients and channel partners to adopt solar solutions and drive business expansion swiftly," Solex Energy Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Chetan Shah said. While Solex Energy will offer end-to-end support to customers -- from site evaluation and design to obtaining regulatory approvals -- SBI will provide a digital platform that ensures a hassle-free loan application process for financing solar projects. Various ...