Monthly Archives: August 2013

Poor Chinese power imports: Consumers to bear the brunt

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Poor quality of Chinese equipment imports to add to power production woes For years, Indian power equipment manufacturers have been complaining to the government over cheap imports from other countries, especially China. On their part, government did bring in some measures to protect … Continue reading →

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Uttarakhand comes up with innovative rooftop solar policy – Rs. 9.2 per KWhr injected into the grid is quite attractive

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

With power demand growing 10-15 percent annually, and the hydropower sector taking a beating in Uttarakhand, the government has come out with a new policy to harness solar energy using unutilised space on rooftops and wasteland around buildings. “Uttarakhand has … Continue reading →

Posted in Off-grid, Power Generation, PV, Renewables, Residential, Rooftop, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

German Utilities Hammered in Market Favoring Renewable Energy

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Indian Discoms will follow once Solar gains significant traction and fear renewables for the right reasons. Lets endeavour to make Solar a reality everywhere Dusseldorf, Germany — Germany, Europe’s biggest electricity market, is beating up its traditional utilities. RWE AG and … Continue reading →

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Fueled vs Electric Cars: The Great Race Begins

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The amazing success of the Tesla model S proves that electric cars may have a chance of replacing liquid fueled vehicles in the long run. Skeptics point out that most of our electric power today comes from coal, which is … Continue reading →

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First Solar Won the Race; The Environment Lost – First Solar Panel recycling now the system owner’s responsibility. It cost the DOE at the very least $0.20/watt to encapsulate the modules in concrete for Abound Solar

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

In 2011, I wrote about the CdTe Horse Race in which the three US companies making cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) modules, First Solar (FSLR), Abound Solar and General Electric (GE Solar, stock ticker GE) jostled for position.  Abound and GE were challenging … Continue reading →

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Water + Sunshine = Biofuel as Lab in California Chases Dream

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

It sounds like magic, far-out fiction, a California dream. Yet earnest scientists are hard at work on a new alchemy: brewing fuel for cars — synthetic gasoline — from little more than water and sunshine. Mimicking the way plants turn … Continue reading →

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First floating solar power station in India

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

A floating solar power station is due to be tested in Kolkata, India. An expert team is currently working on the prototype which is funded by the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The project is scheduled to be … Continue reading →

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Global microinverter market to quadruple by 2017

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Sales of microinverters will increase by a factor of four in the next four years in view of growing demand in foreign markets, according to a new report by market research firm IHS. Commercial systems are expected to account for … Continue reading →

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Technology not materials to drive down Chinese solar costs: GTM

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

  The falling cost of PV manufacturing 2013-2017. Image: GTM Research. Improving technology not the falling cost of materials will be the dominant factor in the ongoing fall in costs of Chinese module manufacturers, according to a report by GTM … Continue reading →

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Karnataka Approves 135 MW of Solar Farms with Bids from Rs. 5.51 per KWh to Rs. 8.05 per KWh

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Opening of Financial Bids of 130 MWs Solar RFP on 19th August 2013 Capacity to be allotted (MW) 130 Technology SPV KERC  approved Tariff for SPV (Rs./Unit) 14.50 Results of Financial bid Sl.No Name Capacity (MW) Proposed Capacity  for allotment(Mw) … Continue reading →

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Andhra Pradesh Solar Rooftop PV Power Systems – Net Metering. Total 50% subsidy upto 3KW provided

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Click below for the documents Net Metering Policy Summary Guidelines Net Metering Policies Formats FAQs Indicative Cost Economics SOLAR ROOF TOP PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS – NET METERING  There is a large potential available for generating solar power using unutilized space on … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Connected, PV, Renewables, Residential, Rooftop, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

LCPV and HCPV reaching a draw?

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

While LCPV producers strive to match the costs of their technology to flat-plate PV and reduce the amount of silicon used in panels, HCPV companies are looking for ways to drive down upfront costs brought about by the use of … Continue reading →

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Use your society’s terrace to harness solar power now permitted under modified ByLaw 171

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Among the string of additions in the new model bylaws for cooperative societies is Bylaw No 171, laying the guidelines to allow temporary use of the terrace or available open space of the society’s building by any member for any … Continue reading →

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GERC rejects GUVNL’s petition seeking solar tariff cut – Brings respite to installed 670MW Solar Power Plant Developers

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Citing delay and non-jurisdiction, the state power regulator Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) on Monday rejected state discom Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL)’s petition seeking reduction in solar tariff. GUVNL had filed the petition with the state regulator last … Continue reading →

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EY Cleantech Turnaround Report Shows Renewable Energy Recovery

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Despite challenging market conditions, bankruptcies and consolidation, key indicators show signs of improvement in the clean tech sector, according to EY’s newly released annual cleantech industry performance report. “The cleantech sector globally has shifted to growth. Resource scarcity, energy security … Continue reading →

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Solar thin-films may fall under local sourcing ambit, but with caveat

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

To avoid issues with the US at the WTO, the compulsory sourcing norm will only apply to power supplied to government agencies. India may extend compulsory local sourcing conditions on solar thin films, mostly imported from the US, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, Grid Connected, JNNSM, MNRE, Phase II, PV, Renewables, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

India’s Untold Story: Solar, Wind Projects Create Jobs, Clean Energy

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

As India celebrates its 67th Independence Day this week, the country can also celebrate its clean energy opportunities as solar, wind and other renewable energy projects expand throughout India. This week, the Indian government announced a $7.9 billion investment to double its transmission capacity … Continue reading →

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New Analysis Shows India’s Huge Offshore Wind Power Potential

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

LONDON — India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has published a report detailing the significant potential for offshore wind energy in the country. Offshore Wind Potential Tamil Nadu, India was officially released this week at Delhi’s National Consultation on Development … Continue reading →

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IBM’s HyRef Seeks to Solve Wind’s Intermittency Problem

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

New Hampshire, USA — IBM has decloaked a system combining weather modeling, sensors, and analytics to better forecast a wind farm’s output from minutes to weeks away, helping utilities and grid operators more confidently integrate an intermittent energy source. IBM’s “Hybrid … Continue reading →

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Doping boosts efficiency of CdTe cell: Empa study

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Scientists at the Empa Institute in Switzerland claim to have achieved 11.5% conversion efficiency for a CdTe solar cell by doping it with copper. The researchers improved on previous results of around 8% by using high-vacuum copper evaporation on substrate … Continue reading →

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Uttar Pradesh government finalises 230 MW solar power projects

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

State government finalised agreements with seven private power players and a public sector undertaking to produce 230 MW of solar power. At a function on Thursday, Chief Minister AkhileshYadav handed out Letter of Intents to Jakson Power Solutions, Moser Bayer Clean Energy Ltd, Sree Developers, DK Infracon, Refax Energy, Azure Surya Ltd and Essel Infra. These … Continue reading →

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Generation-based sops announced for struggling wind power sector

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Breathing life back into the subsidy starved wind energy sector, the government has approved the implementation of ‘generation-based incentive (GBI)’ that was announced in the budget this year. After a hiatus of one and a half year without any subsidy or incentive … Continue reading →

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Grid parity and how will it impact the projects on pipeline, Implementation of JNNSM Phase I & Experience So far

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Click the link ‘Natural Group_Presentation at Solar Business in India 2013 on Grid parity and how will it impact the projects on pipeline, Implementation of JNNSM Phase I with Experience So far‘  for my presentation at Solar Business in India, … Continue reading →

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SMA Solar sales continue slump on market conditions and competitive pricing

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: India should now see more aggressive pricing on inverters from SMA    Power plant sales as a percentage of total sales has increased significantly in the last 12-months reaching 38.4% of sales, compared to 23.4% in the first half … Continue reading →

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First Solar to manufacture new crystalline silicon line from end of 2014

Posted on August 10, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Writing on the wall for Thin Film! “CdTe isn’t suitable for residential or small commercial – that’s half the global market.” Denis de Ceuster, Tetrasun has achieved a third party confirmed efficiency of 21.4% with its n-type silicon cells First … Continue reading →

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First Solar buys GE’s CdTe thin-film IP and forms business partnership

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

GE announced the location of its first thin-film plant in October 2011 which would have a nameplate capacity of 400MW and start commercial shipments in 2013. The facility was at the core of a US$600 million investment in entering the … Continue reading →

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SolarWorld shareholders approve rescue package; Qatar Solar picks up stake

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Shareholders in the beleaguered German manufacturer SolarWorld have given the green light to a comprehensive restructuring of the company’s finances. The debt-for-equity deal, approved by a 91% majority yesterday, will see Doha-based Qatar Solar acquire a 29% interest in SolarWorld … Continue reading →

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EU solar trade deal sets floating price on Chinese panels

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The EU and China have announced the terms of the deal to end their long-running solar trade dispute, setting a minimum import price linked to industry price reports. The initial price level was not released at the time of publication. … Continue reading →

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Leaks reveal EU efforts to close Chinese PV offshore loophole: Sets €0.56 per Watt minimum import price

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

More details of the EU trade deal have emerged including an attempt to stop Chinese manufacturers from circumventing the legislation by sending production capacity overseas. According to a document seen by PV Tech, Chinese firms will come under scrutiny by the European … Continue reading →

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MERC directs RPO compliance on CPP and Open Access Consumers in Maharashtra to be enforced no later than 31 March, 2014

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Click here for the entire order no 49 Pursuant to the above Regulation and in view of difficulties faced owing to lack of appropriate mechanism in place for monitoring and compliance of RPO of Captive Users and Open Access Consumers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Hydro, Maharashtra, MERC, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Solar, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TNERC deals a hard blow to Solar PV suggesting just Rs. 5.78 per KWhr with NO escalation

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Comprehensive Tariff Order on Solar Power” (Comments/Suggestions are invited on or before 31.08.2013)  With more solar power developers line up to set up their projects in the state, Tamil Nadu Elec­tricity Regulatory Com­mission (TNERC) issued a consultative paper on comprehensive … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial, CSP, PV, Renewables, Residential, Rooftop, Solar, Solar Policy, Tamil Nadu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Netmetering, LT Connectivity and Renewable Energy Certificate for Tamil Nadu Solar by TNERC – Comments Invited by 15-08-2013

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

In the Commission’s Order on “Issues related to Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy 2012” dated 07.03.2013, TANGEDCO was directed to furnish detailed procedures covering the following issues related to Net metering , LT connectivity and Renewable Energy Certificates for the … Continue reading →

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APTEL sets aside TNERC order on increase in wheeling, transmission charges for Wind Developers

Posted on August 5, 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 … Continue reading →

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