Monthly Archives: December 2012

Clean air: New paints break down nitrogen oxides, a solution for urban living

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

              This shows the calibration of the teststand for coatings. Credit: Wolfram Scheible/Fraunhofer Surfaces with photo-catalytic characteristics clean the air off nitrogen oxides and other health-endangering substances. Using a new test procedure, Fraunhofer researchers … Continue reading →

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Fuel cell park for 2013; necessary for the future for PV if it has to provide mainstream power

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Enlarge (Phys.org)—North America’s biggest fuel cell power plant is coming to Connecticut, and construction is to begin immediately. Dominion Resources, an energy company based in Virginia, and FuelCell Energy, a Connecticut manufacturer of fuel cell power plants, have announced the … Continue reading →

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Suggestions / Recommendations for CERC Hearing on the 15th of January 2013

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

By Ritesh Pothan CERC, the governing body for electricity in India had instituted the REC mechanism for the balancing and motivation of renewable energy systems in India which is now facing a crisis due to the reluctance of DISCOMS to … Continue reading →

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First all-carbon solar cell

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

              Enlarge This shows the new all-carbon solar cell consists of a photoactive layer, which absorbs sunlight, sandwiched between two electrodes. Credit: Mark Shwartz / Stanford University (Phys.org)—Stanford University scientists have built the first … Continue reading →

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Flexible, light solar cells: Researchers develop a new approach using graphene sheets coated with nanowires

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Enlarge                   MIT researchers have produced a new kind of photovoltaic cell based on sheets of flexible graphene coated with a layer of nanowires. The approach could lead to low-cost, transparent and … Continue reading →

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Nanostructures triple organic solar cells efficiency

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

            Credit: Illustration by Dimitri Karetnikov A conventional solar cell, left, reflects light off its surface and loses light that penetrates the cell. New technology, right, develop by Princeton professor Stephen Chou and colleagues in … Continue reading →

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Recommendations for JNNSM Phase II Draft Policy

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

In my presentation at Solar Markets India, had touched upon each aspect of Solar Policy in India at the Centre and State which could be used as a recommendation baseline for the JNNSM Phase II policy draft. You can find … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, JNNSM, Phase II, PV, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

NREL study shows CSP with energy storage can help utilities, something India’s Solar JNNSM Policy sorely lacks

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) with thermal energy storage can add significant value to a company’s energy mix, a new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has revealed The NREL report found that, compared to solar PV, CSP having a six-hour … Continue reading →

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Now, technology claims to reduce cost of solar energy by 75%: Fact or Fiction

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Scientists have developed a new technology which they claim could make production of solar energy cheaper by 75 per cent, and thus speed-up its market adoption. The RTI International solar cells are developed from solutions of semiconductor particles, known as colloidal quantum dots, and have … Continue reading →

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India is likely to be second largest consumer of coal, may surpass US in five years: IEA

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

 India is likely to be the second largest consumer of coal, surpassing the United States, in the next five years, says a report. “China and India would lead the growth in coal consumption over the next five years…while India will become … Continue reading →

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TN RE agency wants permission for subsidies in line with Kerala

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), in charge of clean energy development in the State, is seeking permission from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy so that it can on its own sanction subsidies for solar photo-voltaic projects. At present, TEDA sends … Continue reading →

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JNN Solar Mission II: Solar grid parity expected by 2017

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

By 2017, the cost of generating solar power in India could be as low as the cost of buying conventional electricity if the National Solar Mission sticks to its target. A draft policy document on the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, prepared … Continue reading →

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Tata Power, RInfra defer RPO targets to the next year saying no RECs available

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Private utilities Tata Power and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) have blamed inordinate delays in commissioning of solar projects for their failure to meet the solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets for the last two completed fiscals. The companies, in separate representations, informed the sectoral regulator MERC in October they could not … Continue reading →

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Solar power solution for Faridabad

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

FARIDABAD industrial units have been reeling under a power crisis for many years. This has resulted in players either moving out or closing down their production units in the city. Seeing the situation worsening, Faridabad Small Industrial Association (FSIA), with … Continue reading →

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Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compels state government to promote solar power generation

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Gujarat accounts for close to 58 per cent of the country’s total solar power output of 1190 MW, followed by Rajasthan with nearly 17 per cent. Rest are way behind. But thanks to Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets specified by state electricity regulatory commissions, state governments … Continue reading →

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Hearing to extend REC validity on the 15th of January 2013, be there to make sure that your REC’s life and subsequent sale is assured

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION NEW DELHI Petition No 266/SM/2012 Date of Order: 19/12/2012 Coram: Dr. Pramod Deo, Chairperson Shri S. Jayaraman Shri V.S. Verma, Member Shri M. Deena Dayalan, Member Date of Order : 19.12.2012 In the matter of: Extension … Continue reading →

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TN industry survival in doubt for want of power; opportunities galore for industrial, commercial and residential solar solutions

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

 Coupled with the slowdown, many sectors are battling for survival These days, foundry workers in Coimbatore can often be seen waiting restlessly — in their lodgings within or near the factory — for an alert to resume work. And that … Continue reading →

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A day in the life of a Power Starved City; a goldmine for solar solutions

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Battling power cuts in Coimbatore Traffic signals are largely in disuse owing to prolonged power cuts and the police have fallen back on hand signaling across the city. Photo: S. Siva Saravanan If an apple a day is what will … Continue reading →

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44,000 MW Coal Capacity likely to be stranded soon because of paucity of coal

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

In another push for renewables, private power producers have opposed cost plus pricing of coal. They fear that the proposed Coal Regulatory Authority Bill would encourage such regimes. Ashok Khurana, Director-General of Association of Power Producers (APP), has written to … Continue reading →

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‘TNEB will get draft power purchase pacts cleared’

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The State electricity regulator is ‘broadly on board’ regarding the solar energy policy and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s plans to enter into long-term power purchase agreement with potential solar power generators, according to K. Gnanadesikan, Chairman and Managing Director, TNEB. … Continue reading →

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ACME Bikaner wins 25 MW solar project in Odisha, quoting a tariff of Rs 7.28 per kWhr

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

ACME Bikaner Solar Power Pvt Ltd has emerged the winner in the 25 MW solar PV programme of the Odisha Government, quoting a tariff of Rs 7.28 per kWhr. The company, a subsidiary of ACME Tele Power Ltd, will invest … Continue reading →

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Renewable Energy: The Big Picture

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Zachary Shahan Notably, the info below doesn’t even take into account the tremendous health costs of coal and natural gas, which would make them much more expensive “at the register” if actually included in the price. Solar Power Price Drops … Continue reading →

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An Off-Grid Success Story, Bangladesh Hits One Million Solar Home Systems

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

    \ A few months back Nancy Wimmer told us about Bangladesh’s solar success. In one of the poorest countries on earth, a renewable energy company, Grameen Shakti, is busy installing nearly 1,000 solar home systems each day. It … Continue reading →

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Clean Energy Access For All – Grameen’s Off-grid Solar Success in Bangladesh

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

In one of the poorest countries on the planet a renewable energy service company is installing one thousand solar home systems – a day. Not in its capital or busy urban centers, but where 80 percent of the population lives … Continue reading →

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Building Utility Scale Power Plants

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  This guidebook is a best practice manual for utility-scale solar power plants in India. It focuses primarily on ground mounted, fixed tilt PV projects and also covers solar tracking system technology. Intended to be a practical toolkit, the guidebook includes an … Continue reading →

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Madhya Pradesh discoms don’t owe anything to banks; MP on verge of being power surplus post full Sasan commissioning

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

State-owned power distribution companies in Madhya Pradesh do not have any outstanding dues to the banks and financial institutions, although they have incurred losses due to the gap between expenditure and revenue, a top state energy official said. The state … Continue reading →

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Bidders seek fine-tuning of AP solar power project norms

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

AP Transco recently floated tenders inviting bids for setting up solar power farms across some select locations in the Andhra Pradesh with a total capacity of about 1,160 MW. Potential bidders for solar power projects in Andhra Pradesh, have sought … Continue reading →

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Solar energy research institute launched

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

IIT-B part of venture involving Indian, US scientists Solar Energy Research Institute for India and the United States (SERIIUS), a collaboration between academia and industry of the two countries, was officially launched Saturday. The institute that includes IIT Bombay scientisis … Continue reading →

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For debt-laden Suzlon, the answer is blowin’ in the wind

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Tulsi Tanti, Chairman and Managing Director In the wind power industry, Suzlon Energy is known for its aggression. And, a lot of it can be directly attributed to its Chairman and Managing Director Tulsi Tanti who started the company in … Continue reading →

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Design your own PV Plant using SMAs Sunny Design available for Free

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

With Sunny Design, designing PV plants is easier than ever. Simply enter all the required information and within a few minutes you will receive the optimum plant configuration. The free software provides solar power professionals and plant planners with a … Continue reading →

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Thermocline System looking to provide Cheap, Efficient Solar Energy Storage at $0.78 US per kWh

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Researchers at the University of Arkansas in the US set out to invent an efficient and economical energy storage system that would improve the overall efficiency of solar thermal plants. The team has developed a thermocline solar energy storage system that stores … Continue reading →

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MNRE revises off grid benchmark PV prices

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

In continuation of this Ministry’s recent sanction order of even of even number dated 30th Oct. 2012 reg. additions/amendments in the above mentioned scheme , I am directed to convey the sanction of the President of India for re-fixing / revising … Continue reading →

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Tender Specification For Procurement Of Solar Power From Developers Establishing Solar Power Plants In Tamil Nadu

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  Tamil Nadu is applying its wind experience to solar by recreating a similar framework of price escalation. This would push prices below Rs. 7 and create a new benchmark but will probably repeat the wind ordeal in coming years, … Continue reading →

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Tamil Nadu Solar Consultation Meeting On 23.11.12 2 4.30 pm With Solar Power Developers / Bidders Points Discussed

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

tamil-nadu-consultation-meeting-on-23-11-12-2-4-30-pm.pdf It is proposed by TANGEDCO to procure 1000 MW of solar power from the solar power developers / bidders through competitive bidding route. • Capacity requirement is 1 MW and above. • EMD is Rs.7 lakhs per MW in … Continue reading →

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Developers go into a huddle to beat anti-dumping scare

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Solar power developers in the country have united to devise a strategy to counter any anti-dumping duty on solar cells and panels imported from China and the US. (Anti-dumping investigations were notified by the Ministry of Commerce on November 28.) … Continue reading →

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JNNSM Phase II – Draft Policy

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Moving forward after 2 successful bids, MNRE has now released the JNNSM_Phase_II_Dec_2012_Draft The draft policy makes for some good reading on the current scenario of Solar in India with information presented on the various facets of the prior policies and summaries … Continue reading →

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Concentrating Solar Power in India – A Report

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

This report is an outcome of the AusAID Public Sector Linkages Program (PSLP) project, “Concentrating Solar Power in India“. It was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) with the cooperation of the Government of … Continue reading →

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JNNSM: Detailed Presentation on progress up to November 2012

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The JNNSM Solar Policy created history of sorts in dropping PV tariffs to the lowest levels of its times. This complete presentation by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd highlights the timelines, technologies, delays and provides interesting information that’s guaranteed to be of use … Continue reading →

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Installations of Solar Radiation Resource Assessment Stations Completed across India

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has initiated a major project on Solar Radiation Resource Assessment (SRRA) station  across the nation to assess and quantify the solar radiation availability along with weather parameters with a view to develop Solar … Continue reading →

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Centre to set up first geothermal power project in Ladakh: Farooq Abdullah

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

As part of promoting non-conventional energy, the government is setting up its first geothermal power project in Ladakh, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said today. “We are working on that. Our first project on geothermal with … Continue reading →

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