Category Archives: PV

Solar Panel defect rates of 20% seen by Solar Panel Auditors

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

A worldwide glut of solar panels has slashed prices and made the technology affordable to more people than ever before. But that glut could be prompting some panel manufacturers to cut corners. SolarBuyer, a company that audits solar factories, has … Continue reading →

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Quality issues threaten to give solar a black eye: Is your project a victim

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Nearly one-fifth of installed capacity within the California Solar Initiative in 2008 was supplied by a manufacturer no longer producing modules. A University of Arizona study found annual degradation levels of 1.7% on 1,900 modules in the field for three … Continue reading →

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Germany paving the way for solar storage rollout, the next phase of renewables

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

With subsidies starting to wither away and module prices falling, opportunities for solar energy storage systems appear to be growing. As they say, as one door shuts – or several as may be the case – another one opens A … Continue reading →

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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

Renewable Energy Technologies: Cost Analysis Series 2012 – Solar Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, CSP and Hydro

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Renewable power generation can help countries meet their sustainable development goals through provision of access to clean, secure, reliable and affordable energy. Renewable energy has gone mainstream, accounting for the majority of capacity additions in power generation today.Tens of gigawatts … Continue reading →

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Solar Panel Recycling Will Be A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

  A new report predicts the total annual recycled product value of crystalline silicon solar panels will hit USD $12 billion in 2035. While a good quality solar panel will have a lifespan of decades – some modules manufactured in … Continue reading →

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What’s next for PV technology in 2013?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

“There are limited options today for PV manufacturers to create a differentiated proposition within the PV industry. In fact, when scanning through the alternatives on view, technology is all too often seen to take a back seat.” Figure 1. NPD … Continue reading →

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Top 10 PV markets in 2012 – India at just 2% of global supply

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

  Adapted from the forthcoming NPD Solarbuzz Marketbuzz annual report, the Top 10 markets in 2012 accounted for 86% of global PV demand. Cumulatively, the Top 10 PV markets accounted for 86% of global demand in 2012, down slightly when … Continue reading →

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Top 10 PV module suppliers in 2012

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Table 1. According to NPD Solarbuzz, Yingli Green Energy is confirmed as the leading module supplier by MW shipment levels for 2012. Seven of the Top 10 companies can be categorized as public-listed, vertically-integrated c-Si module makers based in China. … Continue reading →

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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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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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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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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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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

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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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 →

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Fuel cell park for 2013; necessary for the future for PV if it has to provide mainstream power

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Enlarge (Phys.org)—North America’s biggest fuel cell power plant is coming to Connecticut, and construction is to begin immediately. Dominion Resources, an energy company based in Virginia, and FuelCell Energy, a Connecticut manufacturer of fuel cell power plants, have announced the … Continue reading →

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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

First all-carbon solar cell

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

              Enlarge This shows the new all-carbon solar cell consists of a photoactive layer, which absorbs sunlight, sandwiched between two electrodes. Credit: Mark Shwartz / Stanford University (Phys.org)—Stanford University scientists have built the first … Continue reading →

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Flexible, light solar cells: Researchers develop a new approach using graphene sheets coated with nanowires

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Enlarge                   MIT researchers have produced a new kind of photovoltaic cell based on sheets of flexible graphene coated with a layer of nanowires. The approach could lead to low-cost, transparent and … Continue reading →

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Nanostructures triple organic solar cells efficiency

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

            Credit: Illustration by Dimitri Karetnikov A conventional solar cell, left, reflects light off its surface and loses light that penetrates the cell. New technology, right, develop by Princeton professor Stephen Chou and colleagues in … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Now, technology claims to reduce cost of solar energy by 75%: Fact or Fiction

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Scientists have developed a new technology which they claim could make production of solar energy cheaper by 75 per cent, and thus speed-up its market adoption. The RTI International solar cells are developed from solutions of semiconductor particles, known as colloidal quantum dots, and have … Continue reading →

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TN RE agency wants permission for subsidies in line with Kerala

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), in charge of clean energy development in the State, is seeking permission from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy so that it can on its own sanction subsidies for solar photo-voltaic projects. At present, TEDA sends … Continue reading →

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JNN Solar Mission II: Solar grid parity expected by 2017

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

By 2017, the cost of generating solar power in India could be as low as the cost of buying conventional electricity if the National Solar Mission sticks to its target. A draft policy document on the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, prepared … Continue reading →

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Tata Power, RInfra defer RPO targets to the next year saying no RECs available

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Private utilities Tata Power and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) have blamed inordinate delays in commissioning of solar projects for their failure to meet the solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets for the last two completed fiscals. The companies, in separate representations, informed the sectoral regulator MERC in October they could not … Continue reading →

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Solar power solution for Faridabad

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

FARIDABAD industrial units have been reeling under a power crisis for many years. This has resulted in players either moving out or closing down their production units in the city. Seeing the situation worsening, Faridabad Small Industrial Association (FSIA), with … Continue reading →

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Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compels state government to promote solar power generation

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Gujarat accounts for close to 58 per cent of the country’s total solar power output of 1190 MW, followed by Rajasthan with nearly 17 per cent. Rest are way behind. But thanks to Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets specified by state electricity regulatory commissions, state governments … Continue reading →

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Hearing to extend REC validity on the 15th of January 2013, be there to make sure that your REC’s life and subsequent sale is assured

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION NEW DELHI Petition No 266/SM/2012 Date of Order: 19/12/2012 Coram: Dr. Pramod Deo, Chairperson Shri S. Jayaraman Shri V.S. Verma, Member Shri M. Deena Dayalan, Member Date of Order : 19.12.2012 In the matter of: Extension … Continue reading →

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TN industry survival in doubt for want of power; opportunities galore for industrial, commercial and residential solar solutions

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

 Coupled with the slowdown, many sectors are battling for survival These days, foundry workers in Coimbatore can often be seen waiting restlessly — in their lodgings within or near the factory — for an alert to resume work. And that … Continue reading →

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A day in the life of a Power Starved City; a goldmine for solar solutions

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Battling power cuts in Coimbatore Traffic signals are largely in disuse owing to prolonged power cuts and the police have fallen back on hand signaling across the city. Photo: S. Siva Saravanan If an apple a day is what will … Continue reading →

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‘TNEB will get draft power purchase pacts cleared’

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The State electricity regulator is ‘broadly on board’ regarding the solar energy policy and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s plans to enter into long-term power purchase agreement with potential solar power generators, according to K. Gnanadesikan, Chairman and Managing Director, TNEB. … Continue reading →

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ACME Bikaner wins 25 MW solar project in Odisha, quoting a tariff of Rs 7.28 per kWhr

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

ACME Bikaner Solar Power Pvt Ltd has emerged the winner in the 25 MW solar PV programme of the Odisha Government, quoting a tariff of Rs 7.28 per kWhr. The company, a subsidiary of ACME Tele Power Ltd, will invest … Continue reading →

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