Here is an interesting article/analysis by Vandana Gombar from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. In this article, she wonders how low solar prices can really go. And goes on to show that the Rs 4.63/kWh by SunEdison is not exactly an oddity. Interesting…
Punjab Claims Solar Power Capacity at 1500 MW. Is that correct?
The Indian state of Punjab claims to have increased its solar power capacity stupendously over the past few years. From just 9 MW in 2012, the state claims that the solar installed capacity has increased to 1500 MW, 170-fold growth!…
Net metering and private PPAs form Greg Barker’s future vision for UK solar
UK’s former energy minister Lord Barker has said solar’s future lies in a combination of private wire PPAs and a government-backed net metering scheme. He said submissions to DECC’s feed-in tariff consultation had proven that there was a desire to…
Karnataka 1200 MW Solar Projects – Highlights
We present here highlights of the recently announced 1200 MW of solar power plant plans across 60 taluks in Karnataka. For those who wish to see the references, here they are: The Original Notification The RFP A PPA template Overall Minimum…
What are Your Suggestions to Modi Government for 100 GW Solar in India?
We have seen a large number of solar energy initiatives in the last 2 years – some ambitious, some expected, and some harebrained! While 100 GW by 2022 is not exactly unachievable, it sure is super ambitious. But, achieving it…
A 5000 MW Mega Solar Park in Chitradurga with Farmers’ Participation?
And here is another mega solar idea – this time with a farmer focussed one. An ambitious scheme is being laid out where more than a dozen villages in the Chitradurga district with join together to create a massive solar park (over…
India’s IDBI Bank raises US$350 million through Green Bond issue
There’s some good news on the financing front, with IDBI Bank raising $350 million through green bond issue. Green bonds, by providing incentives such as tax exemptions to those invest in them, could make lenders such as IDBI provide renewable energy financing…
Indian Solar Companies Still Finding it Difficult to Raise Money at Cheaper Rates
It has been reported and analysed many times how access to cheap finance from outside India could make a big difference to the overall cost of solar power (now, whether SunEdison’s Rs 4.63/kWh is owing to cheap finance is a relevant question…
Solar Trackers – Their on-the-ground benefits and challenges – Perspectives from prominent tracker manufacturers
Read an excellent article on the use of solar trackers from this Greentech Media report. The news report uses perspectives from some of the top (US) solar tracker makers. While of course, each tracker maker expectedly highlights some of the features…
Solar Panel Performance – How Many Years Can Solar Panels Perform Well?
A few years back, I recall meeting the head of a prominent global solar cell/module company. Both of us were waiting our respective turns to make a presentation to a large Indian corporate, and we started talking while thus waiting. Many things…