Monthly Archives: June 2013

Why are we surprised that only 25% Solar RECs sold and that too at floor price!

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: If you are indeed surprised, then a must read would be my article of May 2011 which predicted the very same scenario we have seen unfolding over the past years. Click Here for the full article India Solar Credits … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewables, Solar, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

RENEWABLES 2013 – GLOBAL STATUS REPORT, an indicator of RE growth in the coming decades

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Ren21 — a global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network that connects governmental bodies, nonprofit organizations, industry associations, research institutes and universities, and members of civil society — recently conducted a massive, 75-page report on a large variety of potential renewable energy scenarios … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, Geothermal, Hydro, Renewables, Reports, Solar, Tidal, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Renewables to surpass gas by 2016 in the global power mix – IEA

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

IEA report sees renewable power increasingly cost-competitive with new fossil-fuel generation, but agency warns against complacency Power generation from hydro, wind, solar and other renewable sources worldwide will exceed that from gas and be twice that from nuclear by 2016, … Continue reading →

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Are Super-Thin Solar Cells The Future? New Solar Cells Developed That Are Pound For Pound Up To 1000 Times More Powerful Than Conventional Photovoltaics

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The general drive in the solar energy technology industry has been towards the development of higher solar cell efficiencies and lowered manufacturing costs, but are there other avenues of improvement worth exploring? Such as the development of ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight solar … Continue reading →

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A Solar Fridge for Fresh Food in Hot Climates

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The University of Cincinnati responds to food shortages with solar-powered cold storage for farms. Food shortages in India are compounded by a lack of cold-chain storage facilities, but a new solar-powered cold storage device, developed by the University of Cincinnati in partnership … Continue reading →

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Request for Proposal (RFP) for Setting up of Grid Connected Solar PV Projects of Total Capacity 100 MW in Bihar

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited Vidyut Bhawan, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Patna-21 Request for Proposal (RFP) for Setting up of Grid Connected Solar PV Projects of Total Capacity 100 MW in Bihar (Through e-procurement mode only – http://www.eproc.bihar.gov.in) Tender Notice No. … Continue reading →

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Wind gets respite from increased T&W charges as Tribunal sets aside TNERC order on wheeling, transmission charges

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Wind power generators are allowed to supply any surplus electricity they have during windy months and take back power during non-windy months. In a move that would bring cheer to wind power generators in Tamil Nadu, the Appellate Tribunal for … Continue reading →

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CERC had clarified in 2010 that Solar was to be allowed zero transmission losses for inter state transfers

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

After a year and half long consultation process, CERC has notified its regulations on ‘Sharing of Inter State Transmission Charges and Losses’. These regulations would implement point of connection method of sharing the cost of inter-state transmission services in India, … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Connected, Power Generation, Renewables, Solar, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Zinc Air Cheap Batteries for Grid based Renewable Energy

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

A battery made of cheap materials could store power when it’s windy for use when it’s not. On the cheap: EOS is working on a battery based on such cheap materials as water, zinc, and air. If successful, the result … Continue reading →

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India allows power firms to pass on imported coal costs – Your Electric Bill is on its way up coupled with harmful emissions too

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: If we improve our grid Infrastructure as well as generation capabilities we don’t need to add a single MW for the next few years but bottom line takes precedence. Our investment should be in Solar power with storage which … Continue reading →

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Solar scam rocks Kerala assembly – An inevitable in India

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The ‘Solar panel’ scam, which has brought the office of the Kerala chief minister under a cloud, rocked the state assembly on Monday with LDF opposition stepping up their demand for Oommen Chandy’s resignation and a judicial probe into the … Continue reading →

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Global Action to Advance Carbon Capture and Storage – A Focus on Industrial Applications

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Annex to Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 Energy‐intensive industries account for a significant part of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Industrial sectors such as cement, iron and steel, chemicals and refining represent one‐fifth of total global CO2   emissions, and the … Continue reading →

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Indian coal plant standards allow four to twenty times more deadly pollution than China – India Environment Post

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

India does not yet have the economic might that China does, but the country prides itself on being a vibrant democracy, where diverse and discordant political opinions are not only welcome but even encouraged. This of course stands in stark … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal, Power Generation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kerala’s solar dreams wilt away even before takeoff – Why Solar rooftops isn’t a solution for those on the grid!

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Thiruvananthapuram: The discouraging response to the ‘10,000 Roof-Top Solar Power Plant’ project, the baby step towards making 25 lakh households switch over to solar power, has put a big question mark over the state’s move to tap alternative energy sources. Only … Continue reading →

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Punjab discloses the names of successful solar developers with just 251 MW of the 300 MW taken

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

300 MW SOLAR PV BIDS FINANCIAL ANALYSIS CATEGORY – I (1 to 4 MW) Sr. No. Company Name Project Cap. (MW) Net Tariff Quoted, Rs./KWh 1 WAA Solar Pvt. Ltd. Project-1 2 7.20 Project-2 2 7.47 2 T R Energy & Agro Private … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Godawari CSP comes online but with no storage, undermining its true purpose

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Parabolic troughs harness energy from the sun at the Godawari solar-thermal power plant, near Nokh, Rajasthan, India. Photographer: Kuni Takahashi/Bloomberg   Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd. (GODPI) started Asia’s biggest solar-thermal plant as India limps toward clean-energy targets with prices … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Grid Storage, JNNSM, Phase I, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

NREL lastest Cell Efficiencies right upto 44%

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan
Posted in Cells & Modules, PV, Solar | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 – International Energy Agency

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The 22 countries that participate in the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) share a strong interest in the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. As these same countries represent more than 75% of global energy consumption, 80% of global CO2 emissions and 75% … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal, Nuclear, Publications, Renewables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Megawatt Zinc-air batteries to power wind over fossil fuels?

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

An advanced zinc-air battery could lead to a low-cost alternative to conventional lithium-ion technology. Credit:Stanford University A zinc-air battery developed by researchers and Stanford University may provide an economical alternative to lithium-ion batteries for use in renewable energy plants. When adopted … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Connected, Grid Storage, Solar, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Australia moves from coal to renewables: 51 percent by 2050

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

A farmer plows a field in front of wind turbines at the Infigen Energy wind farm located on the hills surrounding Lake George, 50 km north of the Australian capital city of Canberra May 13, 2013. Credit:Reuters Australia, one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Coal, Geothermal, Hydro, PV, Renewables, Residential, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal, Tidal, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Global Electric Vehicle Outlook – Understanding the Electric Vehicle Landscape to 2020 – A detailed report

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

By helping to diversify the fuel mix, EVs reduce dependence on petroleum and tap into a source of electricity that is often domestic and relatively inexpensive. Just as important, EVs have the potential to unlock innovation and create new advanced … Continue reading →

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European Commission to impose 11.8% duties on Chinese manufacturers with an increase to 68% in August

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

In a press conference, European trade commissioner, Karel de Gucht, said duties would be phased in to allow for a negotiated solution. The European Commission has announced preliminary duties of 11.8% will be applied to Chinese solar manufacturers’ modules and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti Dumping Duty, Cells & Modules, News, PV, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BP Energy Outlook 2030 – A view into the future of energy consumption globally

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Click here for the document This is the second year in which BP has made the outlook for global energy available to the public. I am glad to see this decision was endorsed by the response we received to last year’s edition, … Continue reading →

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Solar power now at grid parity! – AP receives bids for 350 MW solar PV power units at Rs 6.49 per KWhr

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Thirty-four bidders have accepted the Rs 6.49 per unit price offer for solar photovoltaic power project development under the Andhra Pradesh State policy. Of the 1000 MW on offer, the aggregate bids resulted in response for about 350 MW. According … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, Grid Connected, PV, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

All India Generation vs Delivered – 99 GW* / 99,000 MW* (40%) of power is wasted every second

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

All India power generation as on April 2013 is 224 GW Whereas the actual consumption is just 125 GW 224 GW – 125 GW = ~99 GW* is lost in Generation, Transmission and Distribution Click here for the April 2013 Generation … Continue reading →

Posted in DISCOM, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Rising Sun Grid parity gets closer – A point of view on the Solar Energy sector in India by KPMG

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Click Here for the Report The Solar PV industry has seen dynamic changes in the last twelve months. Module prices have seen precipitous fall thereby encouraging forecasts of early grid parity; while at the same time, this has raised concerns … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, Commercial, CPV, Crystalline, Grid Connected, Publications, PV, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

EU imposes provisional anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese solar panels even after most European states voted against it

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The European Commission has today issued the following statement: “Today the European Commission has decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of solar panels, cells and wafers from China. This decision follows a thorough and serious investigation and extended contacts … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti Dumping Duty, Cells & Modules, Crystalline, Grid Connected, News, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tamil Nadu has the last laugh with 690MW Solar Power Plants to be commissioned next march

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

New proposals increase solar project capacity to 690 MW Even about a month ago, it looked as if the State government’s Solar Energy Policy was able to attract only a modest number of project proposals with capacity of 260 MW. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, Grid Connected, PV, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Tamil Nadu, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Amendment in the Benchmark cost of “Off-grid and Decentralized Solar Applications Programme” being implemented under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) till 31st March, 2014

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

No. 5/23/2009-P&C भारत सरकार/ Government of India नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊर्ाामंत्रालय / Ministry of New & Renewable Energy *** To The Pay & Accounts Officer Block No.14, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003, dated the 28th May, 2013 Ministry of … Continue reading →

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Not Just Blowing in the Wind: Compressing Air for Renewable Energy Storage can reach almost 80% efficiency

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

A recent study IDs two compressed air energy storage methods and sites for the Northwest. Enough Northwest wind energy to power about 85,000 homes each month could be stored in porous rocks deep underground for later use, according to a … Continue reading →

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Omnigrid’s Unique Solar Power Model – Reaching officially electrified and rural villages with no power

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

OMC’s model of supplying solar lamps to homes and solar power to telecom towers in rural UP looks like a bright idea. But can it keep it shining? Image: Amit Verma Anil Raj (left) and Rohit Chandra’s model goes beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in Micro Grid, Off-grid, Renewables, Residential, Rural Lighting, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Solar rooftops a must-have for Kolkata New Town highrises

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) on Saturday took a stride forward to turn Rajarhat-New Town into a solar city. It has made it mandatory for all commercial and residential highrises to install solar rooftop systems to meet at … Continue reading →

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