Solar Tariffs
US investigation not to impact investment plans, says Waaree Energies
A US investigation into potential solar tariff evasion will not impact Waaree Energies' investment plans, including the expansion of its Texas facility and exploration of setting up a solar cell manufacturing capability in the high-growth, strategic US market, the company said Sunday. Waaree is one of the largest vertically integrated companies in the manufacturing of solar modules, which convert sun rays into electricity. It has an operational capacity of 13.3 GW in India. It commenced operations at its US solar module manufacturing plant in Houston, Texas, in January this year with an initial installed capacity of 1.6 GW. The Texas facility is being scaled to 3.2GW by FY27. US customs officials last week launched an investigation into whether Waaree bypassed tariffs on Chinese-made solar cells and panels by falsely labelling them as manufactured in India. "The investigation has no impact on our investment plans. The Texas plant expansion from 1.6 GW to 3.2 GW is already underway,
 "US investigation not to impact investment plans, says Waaree Energies")
Solar tariff could rise up to 40-45p per unit over customs duty change
The tariffs for solar power could increase between 25-45 paise per unit (kWh) due to Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on imported solar cells and modules
 "Solar tariff could rise up to 40-45p per unit over customs duty change")
Boost for zero-emission sources as global capital backs Indian solar power
The tumbling tariffs of solar power, however, have slashed the expectations of returns by investors from 14 per cent to 12 per cent
 "Boost for zero-emission sources as global capital backs Indian solar power")
Covid-19 crisis: ACME cancels pact to supply power at record low tariff
Files petition with CERC to prevent SECI and Power Grid Corp from encashing bank guarantee and letter of comfort submitted for project
 "Covid-19 crisis: ACME cancels pact to supply power at record low tariff")
Staring at uncertainty, India's solar industry searches for a ray of hope
If falling tariffs were pressuring project developers before, the new safeguard duty on panels adds another cloud of uncertainty to the stiff targets the government has set
 "Staring at uncertainty, India's solar industry searches for a ray of hope")
Chinese and Malaysian solar panels face 25% safeguard duty in India
The Indian solar manufacturing had asked for 95 per cent safeguard duty on imports
 "Chinese and Malaysian solar panels face 25% safeguard duty in India")
Second half of 2018 begins with a bang
Solar tariffs in India made headlines again, dropping to the record low levels seen last year
 "Second half of 2018 begins with a bang")
Solar tariff bottoms out, may not drop beyond all-time low of Rs 2.44/unit
During 2017, solar power tariff hovered around Rs 2.4 per unit level only in auctions for capacities
Solar tariff sees minor correction; rises to Rs 2.65 a unit in Gujarat bids
A recent tender for 500 MW of solar power projectsin Gujarat witnessed tariff going up in range of Rs 2.65-3.36 per unit. This isa minor correction from the last lowest bidding of Rs 2.44 per unit discoveredin Rajasthan. Impact of new tax regime under GST andincrease in cost of panels coming from China has led to escalation in tariff discoveredin this latest tender. Chennai based GRT Jewellers quoted thelowest tariff of Rs 2.65 per unit for 90 MW of project capacity. It wasfollowed by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited and GujaratIndustries Power Limited which quoted Rs 2.66 and Rs 2.67 per unit respectivelyfor 75 MW each. NYSE listed Azure Power won 350 MW by quoting Rs 2.67 per unit. The tender was called by Gujarat Urja VikasNigam Limited. Other bidders in race were ReNew Power, Tata Power RenewableEnergy Limited, UK based Lightsource Renewable Energy India Assets Ltd, FortumPower and Torrent Power. "The 5 per cent GST on solar effectivelyincreases the cost by 10-20 ..
