India’s solar sector in 2020
India’s PV industry has experienced an eventful year, with record lows in both new capacity additions and tariffs.
Indian PV auction delivers final record low price of $0.0269/kWh
The solar electricity price in India has dipped further to an all-time low of INR 1.99 ($0.0269)/kWh in a recently held 500 MW Gujarat auction, which is 0.5% lower than the previous record of INR 2.00/kWh set a month ago.
Structural factors driving down PV prices in India
An analysis by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) says improvements in PV panel designs and costs, lower financing costs and state-specific sectors, such as the location’s solar potential and certain waivers, have driven the decline in Indian solar tariffs.
Indian Railways seeks proposals for solar+storage project
The Indian rail operator aims to set up a PV project in Dahod, Gujarat. It will be awarded via a competitive bidding process. Western Railways will serve as the off-taker for a period of 25 years.
Green hydrogen costs could plunge in India by 2030
A cost decline of more than 50% by the end of the decade could make green hydrogen cost-competitive with hydrogen from fossil fuels in certain industrial applications, such as ammonia production for fertilizers.
Competition in transmission sector will drive Indian renewables
Intra-state transmission infrastructure is the weakest link in the Indian grid. However, the introduction of competition from private players could help to drive down construction costs and promote timely completion of projects.
Solar power providing heat for Indo-Tibetan border outposts
Indo-Tibetan Border Police outposts along India’s border with China are using MicroSun solar panels to generate electricity for heating purposes, among other applications.
India tenders 6.4 GW of PV for agricultural load power demand
Solar power developers have until December 28 to bid for an aggregate 6.4 GW of grid-connected solar power capacity in Andhra Pradesh, which will be spread across 10 locations in the state. The Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corporation will serve as the offtaker and supply the power procured from these projects to meet the demand of agricultural loads in the state.
IEX launches new contracts to enable renewable energy trade on the same day and up to 11 days ahead
The two newly introduced green contracts, daily and weekly, are in addition to already operational intra-day and day-ahead contingency contracts in the green market.
Hybrid power solutions take off in India
A new GOGLA report notes a growing focus on hybrid power solutions that integrate DC solar with AC grid power, and appliances that integrate both AC and DC power. Sales of hybrid solar inverters are growing by 25% per year in India, outpacing demand for conventional inverters.
