India

The project is part of the 750 MW Rewa solar park in India’s Madhya Pradesh. YES Bank has also reaffirmed its commitment to mobilize US$5 billion for financing solar power projects in India by 2030 with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) at the latter’s founding ceremony in New Delhi, held last week.

NTPC Ltd has released two solar tenders totaling 2.75 GW. The first will see 750 MW tendered in the state of Andhra Pradesh, while the second is tendering 2 GW for interstate transmission system (ISTS) PV to be installed anywhere across in India. Out of the Indian government’s 20 GW tender plan for the 2017-18 fiscal year, around 15 GW has already been tendered

French President, Emmanuel Macron, and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi both inaugurated Engie’s 75 MW PV plant on March 12, 2018, in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. On the occasion, France-based Engie also announced the status of another two PV, and two wind projects.

Panasonic’s Chinese factory has started the mass production and global supply of prismatic-type automotive lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Its Indian subsidiary, Panasonic India, meanwhile has launched a new energy storage solution, CBPS 8000, for telecom towers at the Elecrama 2018 exhibition, currently taking place in India.

India’s Topaz Solar Private Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with France-based Appolon Solar SAS for the supply of a complete turnkey system for manufacturing bifacial PV modules.

The ISA founding ceremony, held on Sunday March 11 in New Delhi, India, was a highlight in the 2018 solar calendar. French President, Emmanuel Macron announced €700 million in support through loans and donations by 2022, while several other financial deals and MoUs were also signed. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi further outlined 10 action points to help the spread of solar energy.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), now registered under the United Nations, is organizing its first summit to be held this Sunday, March 11. It is also set to host a founding ceremony of the ISA in the presence of French President, Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi President, Abdul Hamid. Government dignitaries of member countries are joining, and 51 solar projects will be signed.

According to Bridge to India’s ‘India Solar Compass’ report, new capacity additions in 2017 totaled 9,255 MW, up 94% on 2016. However, Q4 2017 was slow in terms of project commissioning with just 1,503 MW of utility-scale projects commissioned. Moreover, execution costs have increased by around 18% in just six months.

The struggling microinverter maker narrowed its losses considerably in Q4, as it unveils new products and expands in new markets.

Although the development of rooftop solar is not progressing in India as planned by the government, a group of international experts is suggesting using municipal financing to raise debt availability, and reduce PV system costs.