Monthly Archives: January 2013

Tamil Nadu Solar Bids out, lowest below Rs. 6 per KWh

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Source: EQ Mag

Posted in Crystalline, DISCOM, News, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Tamil Nadu | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Diesel price hikes making solar power more attractive

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Rising petroleum prices are expected to benefit renewable energy solution providers as commercial establishments that use diesel generator sets for their captive requirements may find solar power attractive. The city gas distribution (CGD) players too expect commercial establishments to switch from diesel to piped … Continue reading →

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Germany’s power market is broken: Macquarie – the dark side of Renewable Energy

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

LONDON: Germany’s strong support for renewable energy has broken its electricity market, where incentives are lacking to build back-up power plants and cheap coal prices discourage the use of cleaner gas plants, investment bank Macquarie said. Retail prices in Germany will continue to rise to cover … Continue reading →

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Dumping duty to help Indian solar power gear makers: Experts

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Indian manufacturers of solar cells and modules would gain if the government imposes an anti-dumping duty, but it would also raise prices for project developers and eventually increase the price of power generated from these plants, industry officials and analysts … Continue reading →

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Paper on Re-considering the Economics of Photovoltaic Power

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Considering the recent dramatic reductions in the underlying costs and market prices of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and their implications for decision-makers. In many cases, current PV costs and the associated market and technological shifts witnessed in the industry have … Continue reading →

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Opportunities and Challenges for Solar Minigrid Development in Rural India – NREL

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

  The goal of this report is to inform investors about the potential of solar minigrid technologies to serve India’s rural market. India, a rapidly emerging economy with the world’s second largest population, is facing a surging energy demand. A large portion … Continue reading →

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MNRE 30% subsidy available for up to 500KWp plants

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

In continuation of this Ministry’s recent sanction order of even of even number dated 30 th 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 / … Continue reading →

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Salient features of state policies, by MNRE

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

We had published the state policy salient features on a number of occasions and so has MNRE MNRE has published the salient features for the states with solar policies on 20th Nov 2012, click here for the detailed document. This … Continue reading →

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Modification/simplification of the existing procedure being followed for issue of Concessional Customs Duty Certificate (CCDC) and Excise Duty Exemption Certificates EDECs)

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Modification/simplification of the existing procedure being followed for issue of Concessional Customs Duty Certificate (CCDC) and Excise Duty Exemption Certificates EDECs), in respect of items , equipment etc. required for initial setting up of Solar PV and Solar Thermal Solar Thermal power projects. … Continue reading →

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A conversation with Stefan Reichelstein on the economics of solar power: by Stanford

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Nearly everyone thinks that generating electricity via solar power is good for the environment, but there’s much less agreement on whether it makes sense from an economic point of view. At what point will solar power be competitive with electricity … Continue reading →

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Prospects for Cost Competitive Solar PV Power: Stefan Reichelstein, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: This paper is focused on the US markets but provides a perspective into similar solar markets New solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations have grown globally at a rapid pace in recent years. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the … Continue reading →

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China regains top spot spending $68 Billion, as clean energy spending slumps 11 per cent: Solar spending at $142.5 Billion

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Global investments in clean energy fell 11 percent last year due to policy changes in major markets, but China posted a record-breaking investment year, an industry report showed on Monday. Money spent on clean energy projects fell to $268.7 billion as countries … Continue reading →

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More reforms needed to tackle Tamil Nadu power crisis

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Since J Jayalalithaa came to power in Tamil Nadu a year-and-a-half ago, she has sought to manage the grave power crisis in the state by increasing tariffs, launching new projects, unveiling an ambitious solar policy and approving the bailout of the state … Continue reading →

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Verified: Heliatek organic solar cell achieves record 12% efficiency

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

According to the company the record setting organic solar cell was fabricated using a 1.1 cm² cell size that combined two patented absorber materials, converting at two different wavelengths. Heliatek has achieved a record 12% conversion efficiency in its organic … Continue reading →

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Gujarat to promote solar power under REC mechanism

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Apex state power utility Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) is going to ink power purchase agreements with solar project developers under renewable energy certificate mechanism soon. The process for the same will start from next month. The state nodal agency for … Continue reading →

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Odisha’s solar policy in 2 months, targets 50 MW generation

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Targeting generation of 50 MW of solar power within one year, Odisha government today said its comprehensive solar policy would be in place in next two months.   “The state will have a comprehensive solar policy in next two months,” science and technology secretary … Continue reading →

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Loss-making discoms a drag on states’ finances, says RBI: Power Ministry has to act now

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

    The RBI on 10th Jan 2013 said loss-making power distribution companies continue to impact financials of states and cautioned against their restructured debt liabilities turning into non-performing assets for the state governments. Pitching for periodic tariff revisions, the central bank … Continue reading →

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Rajasthan may face blackout from Sunday as NTPC threatens to snap supply for defaulting on Rs 367 crore pay

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Why are we not surprised that centralized power is not a true solution. In a regulatory notice to the three distribution companies NTPC has said it would either curb the supply of 1258-MW or regulate it.   Consumers in … Continue reading →

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Power tariffs to move in line with rising input cost: Power Ministry, Ball now in DISCOMs Court

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

However, the Power Ministry is of the opinion that hikes in power tariffs could be “moderated” if the efficiency of distribution companies — many of which are loss-making — are improved.   Indicating that power tariffs could go up further, Power Ministry … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Companies facing huge power shortage: Ficci. Its the right time for Consistent Renewable and Sustainable Solutions

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

  Of the 650 firms surveyed, “61 per cent of the firms suffer above 10 per cent shortfall in production due to power cuts while 13 per cent suffer 2-5 per cent shortfall and the remaining 12 per cent suffer … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Maharashtra, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

States tap the sun to meet growing demand for energy

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Several States are rushing to install solar power to meet growing energy demand. For instance, in Karnataka, the State Government has decided to construct a 500-MW solar power complex in Chitradurga district, instead of the Bijapur district. Neighbouring Maharashtra too … Continue reading →

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Solar Energy Society takes Tangedco to court

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The Solar Energy Society of India has filed a case against the Tamil Nadu’s State-owned electricity generation and distribution company, Tangedco, over the recently closed tender for the purchase of solar power. Tangedco recently floated a tender which called for … Continue reading →

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Proposal to make IP sets in Karnataka run on solar power and reduce 30% of the states consumption

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Finally sense dawns on States that instead of free power from the grid its better to implement off-grid solutions for pumps A 100-crore pilot project likely to be included in budget: Katti The State Agriculture Department has proposed to … Continue reading →

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Record breaking: Solar Frontier pushes CIS thin-film efficiency to 19.7%

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Solar Frontier’s Atsugi Research Center has developed Cadmium-free CIS cells that have achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 19.7%. Solar Frontier has broken the record for CIS thin-film solar cell conversion efficiency using a sputtering and selenization process. The current … Continue reading →

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First Solar to axe 2,000 jobs, close German plant and idle other lines

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

First Solar said that its CdTe thin film production lines in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, would permanently close in the fourth quarter of 2012. In relation to its Kulim, Malaysia operations, currently the largest of its manufacturing sites, First Solar said … Continue reading →

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Over 300 small Chinese solar companies stopped operating in 2012, says ENF, which goes to prove that there are issues everywhere

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Crystalline-based module prices stood at €0.68/Wp (US$0.92) in December 2011 but by December 2012 had fallen to just €0.46/Wp (US$0.60). In 2012 the number of companies exiting the sector due primarily to bankruptcy was close to 300, reducing the number … Continue reading →

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Andhra Pradesh releases its RFS for Grid connected Solar Plants

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

After TN failing miserably due to various issues on its 1000 MW ambitious solar plan, AP has taken up the baton. We anticipate that the credit ratings of the DISCOM may play a key role in getting in more players … Continue reading →

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Allegations cloud BEST’s solar power plan

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The state’s plan to provide solar energy in addition to the regular power supply in the island city in 2013-14 has yet to take off, but allegations of corruption are already starting to creep in. The BrihanMumbai Electricity Supply and … Continue reading →

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Wind Developers vs MSEDCL; this round goes to the wind power generators but will MSEDCL comply

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Maharashtra has been a cup of woe for Wind developers with MSEDCL applying arbitary charges and rules to open access consumers. The Wind Developers Association (InWEA) had petitioned MERC to nudge MSEDCL into line and the ruling is attached below … Continue reading →

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Another state now on the same path as Kerala with Karnataka focusing on Solar Rooftops

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Short Term E-Procurement Tender Notification For Supply, Installation, Commissioning And Maintenance Of  1kwp (Maximum) Capacity Grid Connected  Solar Power Generating Systems (Power Plant) At Approx.1943 No’s Households Across Selected Cities (Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli & Gulbarga) In Karnataka 1. Background The Bidder are … Continue reading →

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Study stresses on renewable energy to manage TN power crisis

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Tamil Nadu has a solar policy, but no notified policy on renewable energy. Hit by acute power shortage, Tamil Nadu would be able to overcome the situation only with a change in “mindset” of policy makers and industry leaders regarding … Continue reading →

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Why Tamil Nadu’s solar tender failed to attract more bidders

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Concerns regarding payment security and availability of grid seem to have deterred developers from bidding in large numbers for Tamil Nadu’s power purchase tender for 1,000 MW of solar capacity. That the Tamil Nadu solar tender attracted bids for about … Continue reading →

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TN solar bidders adopt take-it-or-leave-it stance; investors lack faith in TANGEDCO

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: We have consistently questioned the ability of TN to sustain solar tariffs when wind payments are long overdue, it seems the same doubt lingers in most minds. The poor response to Tamil Nadu’s solar power purchase tender is having … Continue reading →

Posted in PV, Renewables, Solar, Tamil Nadu | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment