India

The Rajasthan-headquartered solar developer has commissioned a 50 MW (AC) solar plant in the village of Bennur, in Karnataka’s Belgaum district. The project uses 455 Wp to 595 Wp mono PERC monofacial PV modules.

In some of the world’s most hazardous locations, a resilient and autonomous common denominator is often found – solar energy. From offshore oil rigs to remote mine sites and the frontlines of conflict zones, solar power functions where others fail, and it does so without the need of refuelling or regular maintenance. But what makes solar such a ‘no-brainer’ that even the oil and gas industry must turn to it? And what other hazardous locations can be electrified with solar? Blake Matich reports.

The state-owned thermal energy giant has invited bids to install 500 MW of grid-connected solar projects anywhere in India.

The Indian manufacturer said the new panel has a 10-busbar design, a transparent backsheet and a power conversion efficiency of up to 20.98%.

Solar developers have until Aug. 23 to bid for the rights to build up to 1.5 GW of grid-connected solar projects under 25-year power purchase agreements.

India’s SunEdison has partnered with US startup Arka Energy to provide the Arka collection of solar roof and gazebo solutions in India.

The REMC Limited unit of Indian Railways has invited bids to install 1 GW of renewable power projects, with or without storage, for round-the-clock power supply to different zonal railways. It has also tendered the installation of a cumulative 1.548 GW of land-based solar plants near the traction sub-stations across various zonal railways. The projects are to be developed on a build-own-operate basis.

Swansea University will collaborate with Indian multinational Tata Steel to investigate perovskite solar cell materials that could be applied directly onto coated steel to make building-integrated PV components. The partnership will add to an “active buildings” project that the Welsh university has been running for several years.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed a two-phase hydrogen production technology that is capable of using steam to produce hydrogen from biomass. Furthermore, an Indian-Norwegian consortium is developing green ammonia in Oman, Toshiba is starting research on hydrogen production from geothermal energy, and Thyssengas is selecting personnel for the conversion of around 20% of its gas network.

The plant will be located in the state of Karnataka and should be completed within 24 months.