Page 4 - Solar Power

Don't depend on freebies, produce own solar power, says Prahlad Joshi

Union Minister for Renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi urged people on Thursday not to be dependent on the governments for freebies, but to produce their own solar power. Joshi attended a consultative meeting with the consumers, electricity supply company (ESCOM) officials, and people's representatives to discuss Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana here on Thursday. "I will not comment on what the motives were behind the distribution of free power generated using environmentally harmful core sector material. But sustainability in the power sector is going to be the key to a safer future for the country," said Joshi, who is also the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. According to Joshi, Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024 aims to provide free electricity to households in India by providing a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. The subsidy will cover up to 40 percent of the cost of the solar panels.

CRISIL analysis: Sprint towards power sector's 500 Gw of green energy goal

As of October 2024, India's non-fossil base, including solar, wind, large-hydro and other renewables, surpassed 200 gigawatt (Gw)

Solar power projects face higher costs after customs duty notification

Section 58 deals with licensing private bonded warehouses where imported goods belonging to the licensee may be deposited without payment of any Customs duties

Bhilai Steel Plant to set up 200-Kw solar power plant at Maitri Bagh zoo

Elevated solar power is a solar panel installation method that involves mounting solar panels on a structure above the ground or roof

US solar industry shifts focus from climate in strategy for Trump era

The policy agenda marks a stark shift in tone for the solar sector, which is a major beneficiary of subsidies contained in outgoing President Joe Biden's landmark 2022 climate change law

Uttar Pradesh govt plans to save nearly Rs 1 trillion with solar power

The 33,229 solar energy-based ground water schemes in UP are projected to save the state exchequer Rs 1 trillion during their lifecycle by cutting down on energy bills

Sembcorp Industries bags 300MW wind-solar hybrid project from NTPC

Sembcorp Industries on Wednesday said it has secured a 300 MW wind-solar hybrid project through its arm Sembcorp Green Infra from NTPC Ltd. The build-own-operate project is part of a 1.2GW bid issued by NTPC, a state-owned power giant, a company statement said. Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), through its wholly-owned renewables subsidiary Sembcorp Green Infra Pvt Ltd, has received the Letter of Award (LOA) for a 300MW Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) connected wind-solar hybrid power project (the Project) from NTPC Ltd, according to the statement. Subject to the execution of a power purchase agreement (PPA) and upon completion of the project, power output from the project will be sold to NTPC under a 25-year long-term PPA, it stated. The project is expected to be ready for commercial operation within 24 months from the date of signing the PPA and will be funded through a mixture of internal funds and debt, the company informed. With a secured capacity of close to 2GW from .

Surprise solar boom in Pakistan helps millions, but harms grid & power cos

Driving the demand were households and factories producing everything from cement to apparel, who have suffered frequent blackouts in the past due to the unreliable grid

Domestic solar installations surge 167% to 16.4 GW in Jan-Sep: Mercom

India added 16.4 gigawatt (GW) of solar capacity during January-September 2024, posting a 167 per cent year-on-year rise on account of commissioning of delayed projects, Mercom Capital said. The country had installed 6.2 GW of solar capacities in the nine-month period of 2023, the US-based research firm said in its latest report. "In the nine months (9M) of January-September of the calendar year (CY) 2024, solar projects totaling 16.4 GW were added in India, an increase of over 167 per cent compared to 6.2 GW in 9M 2023. The commissioning of several previously delayed projects contributed to capacity additions in the first nine months of 2024," the report titled 'India Solar Market Update' said. As per the report, the solar installations in the July-September period rose by 78 per cent to 3.5 GW from 2 GW in the third quarter of last year. As of September 2024, India's cumulative installed solar capacity stood at 89.1 GW, of which utility-scale projects accounted for more than 86 p

IFC extends $500 mn loan to Axis Bank to fund green projects in India

International Finance Corporation (IFC), private sector lending arm of the World Bank Group, on Monday tied up with Axis Bank to provide a USD 500 million (about Rs 4,200 crore) loan to help develop a blue finance market and scale up financing of green projects in India. This is IFC's first blue investment in India and the first blue transaction by a financial institution in the country, a statement said. Blue loans are financing instruments that raise and earmark funds for investments such as water and wastewater management, reduction of marine plastic pollution, restoration of marine ecosystems, sustainable shipping, eco-friendly tourism, and offshore renewable energy. This transaction is also the largest green financing by IFC in the country, it said, adding, the funding will enable Axis Bank to expand its climate finance portfolio. With India's rapid urbanisation and economic growth, there is a substantial opportunity to enhance water and energy efficiency. The water and ...

India's clean energy tech capacity to rise significantly by 2030, says S&P

India's clean energy technology capacity is projected to rise significantly by 2030, but the country is likely to miss its green energy target due to challenges like availability of technological innovation and skilled labour, a report said on Monday. The Centre has set a target for establishing 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, with government's supportive strategies, India's clean energy technology capacity is projected to rise significantly by 2030, aiming for full self-sufficiency in solar PV and wind by 2030. "However, challenges such as technological innovation gaps, skilled labour shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and inconsistent policy enforcement may hinder progress toward these clean energy goals by 2030," it said. In support of local manufacturing, various policy measures have been introduced, including tariffs on imported goods like basic customs

Solar power companies growing fast in Africa, where 600 mn without power

Companies that bring solar power to some of the poorest homes in Central and West Africa are said to be among the fastest growing on a continent whose governments have long struggled to address some of the world's worst infrastructure and the complications of climate change. The often African-owned companies operate in areas where the vast majority of people live disconnected from the electricity grid, and offer products ranging from solar-powered lamps that allow children to study at night to elaborate home systems that power kitchen appliances and plasma televisions. Prices range from less than USD 20 for a solar-powered lamp to thousands of dollars for home appliances and entertainment systems. Central and West Africa have some of the world's lowest electrification rates. In West Africa, where 220 million people live without power, this is as low as 8 per cent, according to the World Bank. Many rely on expensive kerosene and other fuels that fill homes and businesses with fumes a

CEOs Insights: Damian Miller on Solar Power and Leadership in India

Join Damian Miller, Co-founder & CEO of Orb Energy, as he explores the future of solar energy, industry challenges, and his leadership journey. Tune in for key insights!

Adani Enterprises arm to harness the sun, make solar parts at Mundra

Company to set glass manufacturing, aluminium frames, back sheets

SECI plans to launch IPO in 1 or 2 yrs to expand renewable energy capacity

State-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will go public to raise funds in next one or two year in order to expand renewable energy capacity in the country, said a top company official. The remark comes at a time when India aims to have 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The 500 GW target is in the pipeline and it will be done, said SECI Chairman and Managing Director R P Gupta. "But we have to think beyond 2030. The power demand will be 2,000 GW by 2047," he said at a press conference here. India has 207 GW of renewable energy capacity and still needs to add at least 50 GW per annum every year till 2030 to achieve 500 GW target. "We would like to go public in next one or two years," Gupta said. The country's peak power demand has touched an all-time high of around 250 GW in May this year. SECI's listing on bourses is also important because it is the nodal agency of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy for tendering renewable energy projects. Gupta said t

TPREL pledges Rs 75,000 crore to achieve 20GW solar capacity by 2030

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has committed an investment of Rs 75,000 crore to achieve 20GW of operational capacity by 2030, a top company official said. Talking to PTI Videos on Tuesday, TPREL President Deepesh Nanda said that the company is already operating 5 GW capacity and has another 5 GW under construction. "We have committed to take this number all the way to 20 GW operational capacity by 2030," he said. To achieve this target, TPREL has committed an incremental investment of Rs 75,000 crore, he said adding that the company may meet these goals, possibly ahead of schedule. "We have just commissioned a massive 4.3 GW module manufacturing facility in Tirunelveli, which will further support our growth plans," Nanda added. Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd is a subsidiary of Tata Power Ltd.

'India's solar energy capacity jumped 33-fold in a decade': PM Modi

While addressing the inaugural International Solar Festival, Prime Minister Modi praised India's green energy progress and its status as the first G20 nation to meet Paris Agreement goals

Running behind dragon: India trails China in solar capacity addition

The contrast is striking - in the first half of 2024, China added over 100 Gw of capacity while India could manage only 14.9 Gw

India's silver imports to double on rising demand for solar, investment

This year's purchases could rise to between 6,500 and 7,000 tons due to the rising industrial demand, said Chirag Thakkar, CEO of Amrapali Group Gujarat, a leading silver importer

Tata Power Solar Systems, ICICI Bank partner to finance solar units

Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd (TPSSL) has signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to provide financing for solar units to residential and corporate customers. As part of the agreement, the customers can avail themselves of loans up to Rs 90 lakh with collateral-free options and tenure extending up to 5 years. They can also get higher loans with collaterals with tenures of up to 20 years, said TPSSL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL). "TPSSL announces its strategic collaboration with ICICI Bank to provide loans to finance the purchase of solar panels/ units for residential and corporate customers," the company said in a statement. The customers can avail themselves of flexible down-payment option at 20-25 per cent of the loan amount, making it easier for them to invest in solar energy, it said. TPREL, an arm of Tata Power, is a developer of renewable energy projects.