Category Archives: India

Drivers and Challenges for Rooftop Solar Loans toSmall and Medium Enterprises in India

Drivers-and-Challenges-for-Rooftop-Solar-Loans-to-Small-and-Medium-Enterprises-in-India Executive Summary India needs to accelerate the growth of its rooftop solar sector. Of the 40 GW of rooftop solar installations targeted by 2022, the country has only achieved 2 GW to-date. This slow progress may hinder the country’s … Continue reading →

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Lowest solar power tariff bid at Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has equalled the record of fetching the lowest tariff for solar power in India. The reverse e-auction carried out on Monday by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for 500 MW solar power capacity saw two power developers … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court allows Safeguard Duty

The decision is an interim order issued by the Supreme Court, according to Bloomberg Quint. The next hearing is scheduled for October. This major ruling puts an end to all uncertainty surrounding the 25% safeguard duty, recommended earlier this year … Continue reading →

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PI Berlin examines risks facing PV projects in India

Study finds that “the Indian market is a double-edged sword” The Indian market is one of the most profitable yet risky for project developers and investors in photovoltaics (PV). While large-scale projects of over 100 megawatts (MW) are now common, the … Continue reading →

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Safeguard Duty Notified for Solar Cells imported into India from China PR and Malaysia

Updated: India’s Ministry of Finance has imposed a 25% safeguard duty on imports of solar cells and modules from Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China, starting tonight. In keeping with the final recommendations proposed by the Directorate General of Trade … Continue reading →

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SoftBank, Actis, and CDC Group Companies Win SECI’s 750 MW Solar Auction

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has auctioned 750 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to be developed at the Kadapa Solar Park in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The capacity was tendered by SECI in January 2018 under … Continue reading →

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Impose 95 per cent safeguard duty on solar cells import: ISMA

New Delhi: Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has demanded imposition of 95 per cent safeguard duty on imports of solar cells and modules to protect domestic players from cheap inbound shipments. The association put its demand during a public hearing … Continue reading →

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Draft Amendments to Tariff Policy as of 30th May 2018

Proposed_amendments_in_Tariff_Policy 1.0 INTRODUCTION Draft Amendments to Tariff Policy MINISTRY OF POWER RESOLUTION New Delhi, the 28thJanuary, 2016 TARIFF POLICY As on 30.05.2018 1.1.  In compliance with section 3 of the Electricity Act 2003, the Central Government notified the Tariff Policy … Continue reading →

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India won’t levy duty on solar gear imports

Bengaluru: The government has decided not to impose safeguards duty on solar equipment from China and Malaysia, overruling the directorate general of safeguards’ recommendation of a 70% levy that had delighted local manufacturers but alarmed developers who felt that the … Continue reading →

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BESCOM Proposes a Tariff Separation for Open Access Consumers Above 1 MW in Karnataka

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has proposed a separate tariff for >1 MW open access consumers, as it causes the non-recovery of fixed costs. BESCOM has requested for an increase in charges for consumers of 1 MW and above with … Continue reading →

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Revision in Electricity Tariff with effect from 1 April, 2018 and Implementation thereof.

Comm_Cir Tariff 18-19_302 Revision in Electricity Tariff with effect from 1 April, 2018 and Implementation thereof. Subject: Revision in Electricity Tariff with effect from 1 April, 2018 and Implementation thereof. MAHAVITARAN Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. Maharashtra State Electricity … Continue reading →

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Govt amends solar bidding norms, developers can now pass on duty hike

The government has amended solar bidding norms, allowing developers to pass on the burden of any increase in duties on solar equipment to discoms, ending the industry’s apprehensions about likely impact of possible anti-dumping and safeguard duties on imported equipment. … Continue reading →

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MNRE revises BIS Quality Control (Requirement for Compulsory Registration under BIS Act) Order 2017

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had notified the above mentioned Quality Control (Requirement for Compulsory Registration under BIS Act) Order 2017 vide Government of India Gazette notification No. 2561 dated 5th September 2017. As per this notification … Continue reading →

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Use of Mislabeled Imported Solar Panels in DCR Projects to be Penalized

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an order stating that project developers will be penalized for the utilization of imported solar modules to develop projects under the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) category. In its order, the … Continue reading →

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Global Market Outlook For Solar Power / 2017 – 2021

Welcome to SolarPower Europe’s Global Market Outlook 2017 – 2021. This Global Market Outlook is special for various reasons: in response to the rapid developments in the solar sector it contains much more information than last year’s edition. It was … Continue reading →

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Directorate General Recommends 70% Provisional Safeguard Duty on Imported Solar Cells

Preliminary Findings Solar Cells 05.01 Safeguard Duty In a preliminary finding, the Directorate General of Safeguards Customs and Central Excise has recommended a 70 percent safeguard duty on solar cells imported from China and Malaysia for a period of 200 … Continue reading →

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Government unlikely to scrap customs duty on import of solar panels

Plea by MNRE secretary to give duty relief to solar power developers turned down at a meeting of government stakeholders. BENGALURU: The government appears to have turned down a plea by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to … Continue reading →

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UPERC Adopts Renegotiated Tariff of ₹7.02 for Solar Projects Tendered in 2015-16

The Uttar Pradesh Renewable Energy Commission (UPERC) has adopted a renegotiated tariff of ₹7.02 (~$0.11)/kWh as the new tariff for solar projects tendered in financial year 2015-16. This is negatively affecting 215 MW of grid-connected solar projects and hampering the … Continue reading →

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Solar power developers flouting domestic content norms may face penal action

India plans to penalize solar power firms that are using foreign equipment in projects awarded on the basis that they would only use locally made solar panels and cells As solar panels account for nearly 60% of a solar power … Continue reading →

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MNRE Implements Quality Control Measures to Address Low Quality Solar Equipment

Gazette-notification_quality-control-order-of-SPV-Systems-Devices The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has begun implementing a quality control order that requires manufacturers to register with the Bureau of Indian Standards for the use of a “Standard Mark” to comply with the Indian quality … Continue reading →

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KERC Sets New Benchmark Tariff of Rs.4.36 (~$0.064)/kWh for Grid Connected Large-Scale Solar Projects for FY2017-18

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has set Rs.4.36 (~$0.064)/kWh as the benchmark tariff for grid-connected large-scale solar projects for financial year (FY) 2017-18. The new benchmark tariff will be applicable to all new grid-connected MW-scale solar PV projects entering … Continue reading →

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Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism – Feasibility Study – Nov 2017

This feasibility report on the Common Risk Mitigation Facility (“CRMM”) (the Study) has been driven by governments of seventeen (17) nations with strong solar potential – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, India, France, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, … Continue reading →

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RERC Sets Benchmark Tariff of ₹3.93/kWh for Solar PV Projects in Rajasthan for FY 2017-18

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has fixed ₹3.93 (~$0.06)/kWh as the generic tariff for solar PV projects without accelerated depreciation (AD) in Rajasthan. The tariff is levelized for 25 years. The AD component of the tariff has been fixed … Continue reading →

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TANGEDCO 1500 MW

“Procurement of 1500 MW of solar power from private developers against specification   no.CE/NCES/OT.No.1/2017-18” Details of prices quoted by the eligible bidders Sl. No. Name of the bidder Capacity in MW Offered rate in Rs.P.per unit 1 M/s.Raasi Green Earth Energy … Continue reading →

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US trade body recommendation may impact India’s solar power sector

Indian solar power tariffs’ sharp decline will get arrested in the short term with Chinese solar module prices set to increase post the US trade body recommendation on Friday New Delhi: Indian solar power tariffs’ sharp decline will get arrested … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, China, Crystalline, India, PV, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Low Indian solar tariffs begin to backfire

Consistent naysayers have predicted that the strategy of presuming module prices would continue to fall would backfire. Credit: Renew Power After two years of tumbling solar tariffs hitting the headlines, the Indian industry is feeling the consequences of its risk-taking … Continue reading →

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India issues new specifications for solar power modules

The new standard specifications will come into force on the expiry of one year from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, 30 August 2017 New Delhi: India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an … Continue reading →

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Chinese solar module firms reneging on India contracts – Chinese suppliers are demanding an increase of around 6 cents per watt in prices of solar modules already contracted for

Any increase in solar module prices will impact the internal rate of return (IRR) from such solar power projects, many of which have already signed power purchase agreements (PPAs). Photo: Bloomberg New Delhi: In what has come as a shock … Continue reading →

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Power Sector at a Glance – ALL INDIA – August 2017

Power Sector at a Glance ALL INDIA As on 16-08-2017 Source: OM SECTION 1.Total Installed Capacity  (As on 31.07.2017) – Source : Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Sector MW % of Total State Sector 81,622 24.7% Central Sector 103,868 31.5% Private Sector … Continue reading →

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India Energy Statistics 2017

India_Energy_Statistics_2017 FOREWORD Energy being a strategic commodity plays a significant role in economic development of a country. Energy systems in India have evolved over last six decades along with country’s economic development, supporting the aspiration of 1.2 billion people, within … Continue reading →

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Solar and Wind Generators to Pay Deviation Charges for Under Production in Andhra Pradesh

To facilitate large-scale grid integration of solar and wind power while maintaining grid stability, the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has released new regulations for forecasting, scheduling, and deviation settlement of solar and wind generation with immediate effect. All … Continue reading →

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India diverts Rs 56,700 crore from the fight against climate change to Goods and Service Tax regime

India’s biggest domestic source of public funds to push renewable energy and protect the environment has become a victim of the Goods and Services Tax. In April, the government included the tax collected on production and import of coal to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagasse, Biofuels, Biomass, Climate Change, Coal, Cogeneration, Geothermal, Government, Hydro, India, PV, Renewables, Solar, Waste To Energy, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

India energy ministry plans 7.5 GW support program for domestic solar manufacturing

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has initiated the second phase of its CPSU program to provide installation capacity totaling 7.5 GW of solar projects made using domestically manufactured solar cells and modules. India is seeking to protect its … Continue reading →

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Major relief for solar power developers: Projects deadline extended

The government has granted major relief to solar power developers, allowing deadlines for project development to be extended in cases where there were delays caused by circumstances beyond their control. Developers had raised an alarm over a letter from the … Continue reading →

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In a first, Madhya Pradesh takes away must-run status of renewable projects

The state would now have the freedom to back down from renewable projects whenever it wishes to….. The flag bearer of headline renewable energy growth, Madhya Pradesh, in a latest amendment has suggested taking away the “must-run” status of renewable … Continue reading →

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Initiation of Antidumping investigation concerning imports of “Solar Cells whether or not assembled partially or fully in modules or Panels or on glass or some other suitable substrates” originating in or exported from China PR, Taiwan and Malaysia.

F.No. 6/30/2017-DGAD : Indian Solar Manufactures Association (hereinafter referred to as the petitioner) has filed an application before the Designated Authority (hereinafter also referred to as the Authority) in accordance with the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as amended from time … Continue reading →

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Solar power tariff has hit an all-time low of Rs. 3.47 per unit in Tamil Nadu, TANGEDCO receives bid for 1500 MW

Solar power tariff has hit an all-time low of Rs. 3.47 per unit in Tamil Nadu. The tariff has gone below Rs. 3 per unit in many states, but this is the first time that a prospective investor has bid so … Continue reading →

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REVISED GST RATE FOR CERTAIN GOODS [As per discussions in the 16th GST Council Meeting held on 11th June, 2017]

  S. No. Chapter / Heading / Sub- heading / Tariff item Description of goods Earlier GST rate approved by the GST Council Revised GST Rate approved by the GST Council 1. 0506,  0507 90 Bones and horn cores, bone … Continue reading →

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GST may push up cost of solar power projects

The goods and services tax may increase solar energy project costs by 12%-18% and generation costs by 40-50 paise per unit, some industry leaders said, although the government said the new taxation regime won’t have much of an impact on … Continue reading →

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Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled the bids conducted in 2016 to procure 3,800 MW of power from independent power producers

 In another setback for power plants languishing without long-term buyers, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled the bids conducted in 2016 to procure 3,800 MW of power from independent power producers. The decision, according to sources, was taken … Continue reading →

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Yet another record low for solar power tariffs in India at Rs 2.44 per unit

“Latest solar power auction at Bhadla Solar Park 3 sets new record with electricity tariff of Rs 2.44/unit,” Goyal tweeted on Friday.  Solar power tariffs in India have fallen to a new record low of Rs 2.44 per unit in … Continue reading →

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Historic Solar Prices till May 2017, now at Rs. 2.44 per KWh

Posted in Government, Grid Connected, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, India, JNNSM, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Phase I, Phase II, Punjab, Rajasthan, Renewables, Solar, Solar Parks, Solar PV, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Solar power tariff continues free fall; hits new low of Rs 2.62 a unit

Phelan Energy Group and Avaada Power Private Limited have bagged 50 MW and 100 MW respectively at Rs 2.62 per unit while SBG Cleantech – a joint venture between SoftBank, Bharti Enterprises and Foxconn has bagged 100 MW at Rs … Continue reading →

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Solar power rates graphically represented from 2015 – 2017

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Limit on ‘rooftop solar power’ output scrapped in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday announced a key change in the ‘Rooftop Solar Project Policy for Homes’ — the condition that the solar plant’s capacity should be within 50% of the sanctioned load has been removed. He announced … Continue reading →

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Benchmark Cost for “Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme” for the year 2017-18

In continuation of this Ministry’s sanction order number 5/23/2009-P&C (Pt. Ill) dated 3rd November  2014 reg. additions/amendments  in the  above  mentioned  scheme,  I am  directed to convey the sanction of the President of India for the revised Benchmark Cost with … Continue reading →

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Benchmark Cost for “Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme” for the year 2017-18

Subject: Benchmark Cost for “Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar  Power Plants Programme” for the year 2017-18.  In continuation of this Ministry’s sanction order number 5/23/2009-P&C (Pt. iii) dated 3rd November 2014 reg. additions/amendments in the above mentioned scheme, I … Continue reading →

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MNRE does not sanction projects to Channel Partners or release subsidy directly to users. The release subsidy is through State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) and other Government Agencies or SECI. (Dr. G Prasad) Scientist-F/ Director 01.03.2017

Notice The Ministry is in receipt of applications/representation from general public for release of subsidy against the Rooftop Solar Systems installed by MNRE empanelled channel partners or new entrepreneurs without any prior sanction/approval from MNRE/SNAs. It has been observed that … Continue reading →

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How will GST impact Solar Projects in India

Implications-of-GST-on-delivered-cost-of-Renewable-Energy Executive summary Multiple Indirect taxes are currently levied on transactions in India. Some of the taxes are levied and collected by the Central Government, while other taxes are collected by the State Governments. Accordingly, the current Indirect tax regime … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagasse, Biofuels, Biomass, CERC, Cogeneration, Geothermal, Grid Connected, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, Hydro, India, Maharashtra, MNRE, Power Generation, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Parks, Solar Policy, Solar Pumps, Waste, Waste To Energy, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Solar power tariffs close to sub Rs 3 per unit mark

Final Rewa Bidders List: 1. Acme Solar- Rs 2.97 (winner- Unit2) 2. Solenergi Power- Rs 2.974 (winner- Unit3) 3. Mahindra Renewable- Rs 2.979 (winner -Unit1) 4. SBG cleantech- Rs 2.98 5. Enel Green- Rs 2.993 6. Aditya Birla- Rs 3.089 … Continue reading →

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