India

In a memorandum of understanding, NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and Coal India Limited (CIL) have said they will install solar PV projects worth 3 GW in India, and 2 GW of thermal power projects.

With the commissioning of 620 MW by three companies, the total capacity of Rajasthan’s Bhadla Solar Park has reached 1,365 MW, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd (RRECL) announced.

With the announcement of a historic low tariff of Rs 1.38 ($0.019) per unit for a rooftop PV project and a new 1.5 GW solar project, the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has upped its solar game plan.

Azure Power has announced the early closing of a financing deal worth INR 4 billion (around US$58 million) for a 100 MW solar plant in the Indian state of Karnataka; and INR 6 billion (around $88 million) for a 200 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan. It also signed 415 rooftop solar PPAs in Madhya Pradesh.

In Uttar Pradesh, another 500 MW of solar capacity is expected to be tendered by the end of October, while Gujarat has announced a 700 MW tender under Phase III of the Raghanesda Solar Park.

In another ambitious announcement, SoftBank Group CEO, Masayoshi Son has said he will give free power from solar power projects after 25 years of PPA to all ISA member countries. He was speaking at the Indian Government organized RE Invest 2018.

India’s Prime Minister kick started the first Assembly of the ISA, the second IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting, and the 2nd Global RE-Invest yesterday in Greater Noida. The agenda of the day? Universal access to solar energy at affordable rates; securing 40% of India’s electricity generation from non-fossil fuels by 2030, and allocating up to US$80 billion to boost domestic PV manufacturing.

Though lauded at times as a water-saving technology, PV’s concentration in arid and remote regions, in conjunction with inefficient cleaning methods, can exacerbate water scarcity and prompt rising water tariffs for plant operators, according to a new report on Indian PV installations, published by analysts Bridge to India.

Taiwan has joined Malaysia in requesting consultations with India under the safeguard agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO), following India’s decision to impose 25% safeguard duties on imports of solar cells, whether or not assembled in modules.

India’s much-hyped 10 GW solar auction has hit another roadblock. The state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)’s tender bids for 10 GW of ISTS-connected solar PV power projects linked with 3 GW (per annum) solar man-ufacturing capacity, has now been extended to October 12.