Solar-powered petrol pumps highlight ironies of India’s clean energy drive
Growth in solar panel installs at gas stations across India has fuelled uptake in petrol sales in regions where fossil fuel consumption had been falling, exposing one of the ironies of cheaper and reliable PV power.
China’s East Hope Group signs $300m MoU with Adani to build Indian manufacturing unit
The two industrial giants will develop a large fab at a port in the Mundra economic zone in Gujarat, which will manufacture solar power generation equipment as well as other goods.
Indian state of Maharashtra announces 2 GW of solar projects
The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) issues call for developers to build 500 MW solar park and construct 1.5 GW of solar projects to solarize state’s agriculture feeder infrastructure.
India: TANGEDCO proposes severe net metering cut
The Tamil Nadu utility is planning to slash its net metering tariff from INR 6.63 – 7.23/kWh to potentially as little as INR 2.20/kWh in response to recent record-low tariffs in the state and as a means to increase uptake of rooftop solar.
Renewables could create 300,000 jobs in India over next five years: report
India’s Council on Energy, Environment and Water states, in a joint report with the Natural Resources Defense Council, that the growth in renewables in India could create 300,000 new jobs over the next five years.
India interstate charge waiver prompts new 750 MW solar tender from SECI
The decision by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to halt interstate transmission charges for solar power until at least 2019 key catalyst in SECI’s decision to tender further 750 MW of solar at Bhadla Solar Park.
India: GE signs 140 MW inverter deal with Solairedirect
Inverter division of GE is partnering with Engie subsidiary Solairedirect to supply 1 MW central inverter solutions to 140 MW of solar projects being developed in India, complete with 25-year service agreement.
India’s NTPC reaches 845 MW of installed solar capacity following latest commissioning
The National Thermal Power Corporation confirms installed base of solar has increased to 845 MW after commissioning 225 MW of a 250 MW plant in Madhya Pradesh.
India to halt interstate transmission charges on solar projects until 2019
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy makes decision to extend the exemption of solar power projects from the charge in order to make PV more price competitive with coal power.
India: Anti-dumping case comes at crucial time for solar, says Mercom Capital Group
Government “highly unlikely” to disrupt soaring solar market by acquiescing to demands to introduce anti-dumping tariffs on solar modules and cells from China, Taiwan and Malaysia, says Mercom Capital, but others argue duties are only way to ensure survival of domestic industry.
