Adani

The world’s sixth-largest solar player in 2019 has risen to the top spot by securing a contract from Solar Energy Corp. of India to develop 8 GW of PV capacity.

The northern Australian region this week added nine solar plants to the two already threatened – along with a wind farm – with having their output halted under certain conditions.

The French oil and gas giant—which is already a partner in Adani’s natural gas business—will now invest US$ 510 million to buy 50% stake in 2,148 MW operating solar plants owned by Adani Green Energy Limited.

Motivated by steeply declining cost curves, leading utilities are building solar portfolios around the globe. The latest statistics show the cumulative capacity of the biggest utility-scale solar plant owners topped 18 GW at the end of last year, with power companies in China, the U.S. and India to the fore.

Domestic developers Avaada Power and Adani lead the way with each bidding for half the capacity available, after the state distribution company raised the maximum tariff and extended the bid deadline.

The nation installed 4.9 GW of solar, surpassing the USA – which installed 4.7 GW – to become the second largest solar market in the first half of the year, second only to China’s 24.3 GW.

pv magazine’s Future PV Roundtable, held at the 2018 Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo in Greater Noida, discussed how India can better adopt bifacial solar cell and module technology – the future of power generation. Prominent industry speakers also put forth their views on how standards can catalyze solar innovation for India-specific challenges, and on PV materials and components for enhanced module efficiency and recycling.

Jayant Parimal is the CEO of Renewable Energy at Adani Enterprises, which has developed more than 1 GW of PV projects in India in partnership with Huawei. Recently, pv magazine caught up with Mr. Parimal in India to discuss the massive opportunities in the country, and Adani’s switch from central to string inverters.

In an exclusive interview, Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) CEO, Jayant Parimal, tells pv magazine the renewable energy company is looking to expand both its module and cell manufacturing capacity to 2 GW. Moreover, it is looking to develop floating solar PV projects in its home market, India, in addition to continuing its focus on the utility-scale solar and wind sectors.

Adani Australia is planning to construct a 300 MW and 10 0MW solar PV farm at Rugby Run in Queensland and Whyalla, South Australia, respectively.