Category Archives: CSP

Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2022

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Now.Solar

IntroductionThis ninth edition of IRENA’s Renewable energy and jobs: Annual review series provides the latest estimates of renewable energy employment globally. In addition to IRENA’s own calculations, the report is based on a wide range of studies and reports by … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, China, CSP, Geothermal, Germany, Global Warming, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, Industrial, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar PV, solar water heating | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

RENEWABLES READINESS ASSESSMENT BOTSWANA

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Now.Solar

COUNTRY OVERVIEW Botswana is a landlocked country located in central–southern Africa, with a mean altitude above sea level of 1 000 metres and a total area of 582 000 square kilometres (km2 ). The official languages are English and Setswana, … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Biofuels, Biomass, Coal, CSP, Global Warming, Government, Greenhouse Gases, Grid Connected, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, Grid Storage, Off-grid, Policy, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar PV, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2021

Posted on September 21, 2022 by Now.Solar

RENEWABLE ENERGY JOBS: MAIN FINDINGS The renewable energy sector employed 12 million people, directly and indirectly, in 2020.1 The number has continued to grow worldwide over the past decade. The solar photovoltaic (PV), bioenergy, hydropower and wind power industries have … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, China, CSP, Geothermal, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, India, Mini Grid, Off-grid, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar PV, solar water heating, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Energy subsidies: Evolution in the global energy transformation to 2050

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Now.Solar

SUBSIDIES, PRIVILEGES, UNPRICED EXTERNALITIES AND THE ENERGY TRANSITION In order to meet the Paris Agreement objective that the global temperature rise be kept to “well below 2 °C”, the global energy sector requires nothing short of a complete transformation, during the … Continue reading →

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PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (PSERC) Determination of generic levellised generation tariff for Renewable Energy Power Projects for FY 2015-16

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Ritesh Pothan

Levellised Fixed Cost (₹/kWh) Variable Cost (FY 2015-16) (₹/kWh) Applicable Tariff Rate (₹/kWh) Benefit of Accelerated Depreciation, if availed (₹/kWh) Net Applicable Tariff Rate upon adjusting for Accelerated Depreciation benefit (3-4) (₹/kWh) 1 2 3 4 5 Biomass Power Projects(other … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, Commercial, CSP, DISCOM, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, Hydro, India, Industrial, Punjab, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Parks, Solar Policy, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CERC announces draft for revamp of Solar RECs in a welcome move to make it bankable

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION NEW DELHI Petition No. SM/016/2014 (Suo Motu) Date of order: 30th September, 2014 Coram:                               Shri Gireesh B. Pradhan, Chairperson Shri M. Deena Dayalan, Member Shri A.K. Singhal, Member Shri A.S. Bakshi, Member ORDER IN THE MATTER … Continue reading →

Posted in CERC, Climate Change, CSP, DISCOM, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, India, Power Generation, PV, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tamil Nadu TNERC announces new tariff for Solar at ₹ 7.01 per KWh PV and ₹ 11.03 per KWh Thermal

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has announced new tariff for solar power producers who put up plants in the state. They would be paid Rs 7.01 per unit of power generated from a solar photovoltaic plant, and Rs … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Grid Connected, News, Solar, Solar Policy, Tamil Nadu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

RENEWABLES 2014 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT – Key Figures

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

  The newly released Renewables 2014 Global Status Report is now available. Find out what made 2013 another record year for renewables. Read about: > expansion of supporting policies in developing economies > additions to electricity generating capacity > progress … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, Cogeneration, CSP, Geothermal, Hydro, PV, Renewables, Reports, Solar, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

World Solar capacity breaks previous records

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

Solar PV installations nearly matched those of hydropower and, for the first time, outpaced wind additions. Even though photovoltaics continue to dwarf CSP capacity, the CSP market also had another year of impressive growth. By the end of 2013, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, China, Climate Change, CSP, News, PV, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Draft Guidelines for selection of 1500 MW Grid Solar PV power projects under National Solar Mission, Phase-II Batch-II Scheme of Bundling with Thermal Power- Invitation of Comments

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

F. No. 32/8/2013-14/GSP Government of India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Grid Solar Power Division Block No,. 14, C.G.O. Complex Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003 Dated: 16/07/2014 Subject: Draft Guidelines for selection of 1500 MW Grid Solar PV power projects … Continue reading →

Posted in Batch II, CSP, Grid Connected, India, MNRE, Phase II, Power Generation, PV, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Karnataka KREDL Issues RFP and Draft PPA for bidding of 500MW Solar PV Projects

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (“Authority”/ “KREDL”) incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 is a nodal agency of the Government of Karnataka to facilitate the development of renewable energy in the State of Karnataka. KREDL processes all applications received for setting up of … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Grid Connected, India, Karnataka, PV, Renewables, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Renewable Energy Vs Conventional Power – The Debate Resolved by Ritesh Pothan

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

This decade has re-defined the energy paradigm with renewables surging to all time high installations. Globally renewables contribute a significant amount to the energy mix in developed countries. Continents like the America’s, Europe and Asia have installed more renewables in … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, Cogeneration, Commercial, CSP, Fuel Cells, Geothermal, Hydro, PV, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reliance Power, Lanco and others, are seeking higher CSP tariffs saying that the data on solar radiation DNI provided by the government was faulty

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Ritesh Pothan

Solar power plants of Reliance Power, Lanco and others, are seeking higher tariffs saying that the data on solar radiation provided by the government was faulty which has led to lower generation. Several companies have filed petitions before the central … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, JNNSM, Phase I, Power Generation, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

13 Major Clean Energy Breakthroughs Of 2013

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

While the news about climate change seems to get worse every day, the rapidly improving technology, declining costs, and increasing accessibility of clean energy is the true bright spot in the march toward a zero-carbon future. 2013 had more clean … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, CSP, Grid Storage, Power Generation, PV, Renewables, Solar, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

World’s largest 280 MW solar thermal parabolic plant with storage comes on-line

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Concentrated solar thermal is again making the news, with the world’s largest parabolic trough array with thermal storage – opening for business in Arizona. The 280MW Solana Solana Generating Station constructed by Spanish group Abengoa has six hours of molten storage capacity … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Grid Connected, News, Power Generation, Renewables, Solar | 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

How it works: Solar power towers with integrated storage – the much needed evolution of CSP!

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The 110MW Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Plant, located near the town of Tonopah in the Nevada desert, will be the largest solar tower plant with integrated energy storage facility built to date. But what exactly is it? What does storage … Continue reading →

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The Economic and Reliability Benefits of CSP with Thermal Energy Storage: Recent Studies and Research Needs

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Foreword As the penetration of wind and solar generation becomes a significant portion of grid power, utilities and government policy makers have begun to sponsor analyses to compare alternative renewable resource portfolios. This has resulted in calculations of net system costs … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, Reports, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Concentrated solar thermal and photovoltaic solar technologies – TECHNOLOGICAL NICHES

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

“At Principal Solar Institute, we believe solar electricity will be cost-competitive without subsidies within three years. Since we are technology agnostic, this paper is not intended to stack one technology against another.  Rather, we provide an education on the strengths … Continue reading →

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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

India May Defer Fines on $1 Billion Solar Thermal Plants

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is seeking to defer penalties on about $1 billion of solar-thermal power projects that are delayed by a lack of water, financing difficulties and equipment shortages. Seven projects totaling 470 megawatts in capacity … Continue reading →

Posted in CSP, JNNSM, Phase I, Solar, Solar Policy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rajasthan has a total of 512.75 MW installed as off March 2013

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

While a vast majority of Solar projects are JNNSM, REC based projects are picking up. Below are the names of the 84 odd organizations who have installed Solar Power Plants in Rajasthan with their capacities, technology and commissioning date upto … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, Crystalline, CSP, JNNSM, Phase I, Phase II, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MSEDCL removes Cross Subsidy discount for Renewable Energy in Maharashtra

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: In a blow to open access in electricity for Maharashtra, MSEDCL has now implemented the highest tariffs for commercial consumers.  Applicable  CSS for  Open  Access (OA)  Consumers  of  MSEDCL effective   from  21st February 2013  :- A.  CSS for HT … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, CSP, DISCOM, Maharashtra, PV, Renewables, Solar, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

IEA: Global solar capacity nearing 100GW milestone

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Image: St Gobain Despite the uncertainties plaguing the European and Chinese markets in particular, a new report has revealed that 28.4GW of solar PV capacity was installed in 2012, bringing total global capacity to 89.5GW in the 23 countries in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cells & Modules, CPV, Crystalline, CSP, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Draft CERC T&C for Renewable Energy Certificates (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2013 – suggestions latest by 25th April 2013

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

No.L‐1/12/2010‐CERC. PUBLIC NOTICE 1. In exercise of powers conferred under section 178 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (the Act), the Commission has made draft Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, CERC, CPV, Crystalline, CSP, Geothermal, Hydro, PV, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Rooftop, Solar, Solar Thermal, Thin Film, Tidal, Transmission and Distribution, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Age of renewables: Why shale gas won’t kill wind or solar

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The emergence of the shale gas boom in the United States, and the discovery of significant reserves in Australia and elsewhere, has prompted many people in the energy industry to proclaim a “golden age” of gas, one that will cause … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Crystalline, CSP, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar Thermal, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Masdar Launches Shams 1, The World’s Largest Concentrated Solar Power Plant (100MW) In Operation built at a cost of $600mm USD

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

100-megawatt power plant is a major milestone for renewable energy in the Middle East Shams 1, the largest concentrated solar power plant (CSP) in operation in the world is located in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, the 100-megawatt, grid … Continue reading →

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The Myth: Renewable Energy Contributes 12.5% in total power generation in India

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Given 15-30% PLFs of renewable energy sources like Wind and Solar, RE in reality contributes below 5%, to the actual KWh energy generation in the country The present installed capacity of power generation in the country is about 2,12,829 … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, CPV, Crystalline, CSP, Geothermal, Hydro, JNNSM, Phase II, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar Thermal, Thin Film, Tidal, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Karnataka calls for 130MW Solar in IInd Phase

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (“Authority”/ “KREDL”) incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 is a nodal agency of the Government of Karnataka to facilitate the development of renewable energy in the State of Karnataka. KREDL processes all applications received for … Continue reading →

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

Cumulative deployment of various Renewable Energy Systems / Devices in the country as on 31/01/2013

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

New & Renewable Energy Cumulative deployment of various Renewable Energy Systems/ Devices in the country as on 31/01/2013 Renewable Energy Programme/ Systems Target for 2012-13 Deployment during January, 2013 Total Deployment in 2012-13 Cumulative achievement up to 31.01.2013 I. POWER … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, CPV, Crystalline, CSP, Geothermal, Hydro, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Solar, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REC validity extended to 730 days only, the issue only gets worse

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Going against the requirements and needs of the market, CERC has only extended the validity by just 1 year or 365 days. CERC has also expressed inability to enforce RECs. This will only create an antagonistic situation where the glut … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, CPV, Crystalline, CSP, Fuel Cells, Hydro, JNNSM, Phase II, PV, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar Thermal, Thin Film, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Doubling the Global Share of Renewable Energy: A Roadmap to 2030

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

IRENA’s working paper, Doubling the Global Share of Renewable Energy: A Roadmap to 2030, outlines the proposed process, and progress to date, of REMAP 2030 – IRENA’s global roadmap for policies and actions to double the share of renewable energy … Continue reading →

Posted in Biofuels, Biomass, Crystalline, CSP, Fuel Cells, Geothermal, Hydro, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal, Thin Film, Tidal, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IRENA publishes the most comprehensive Global Atlas for Solar and Wind incorporating all the information from multiple data platforms

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The Global Atlas is the comprehensive information platform on the potential of renewable energy. It provides resource maps from leading technical institutes worldwide and tools for evaluating the technical potential of renewable energies. It can function as a catalyst for … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Crystalline, CSP, JNNSM, Phase II, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal, Thin Film, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in CSP, PV, Rooftop, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Crystalline, CSP, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar Thermal, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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 →

Posted in Biomass, CSP, PV, Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

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 →

Posted in CSP, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment