Tag Archives: Concentrated Solar Power

Concentrated Solar Power, photovoltaic, and wind energy in the first week of December

Posted on February 18, 2024 by Now.Solar

In the first week of December, gas prices declined, approaching levels seen in early October, before the Hamas attack on Israel. CO2 futures also declined. On December 8, they registered the lowest settlement price since October 2022. Wind energy production increased … Continue reading →

Posted in Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Solar PV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wind Loads on Utility Scale Solar PV Power Plants

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Ritesh Pothan

Abstract The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) industry is experiencing phenomenal growth. Wind loads for ground-mounted PV power plants are often developed by using static pressure coefficients from wind tunnel studies in calculation methods found in ASCE 7. Structural failures of utility … Continue reading →

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How will GST impact Solar Projects in India

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Ritesh Pothan

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

Renewables 2016 Global Status Report

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Ritesh Pothan

Click Here for the report

Posted in China, Climate Change | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Determination of Benchmark Capital Cost Norm for Solar PV power projects and Solar Thermal power projects applicable during FY 2016-17

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Ritesh Pothan

Determination of Benchmark Capital Cost Norm for Solar PV power projects and Solar Thermal power projects applicable during FY 2016-17 The Commission notified the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2012 … Continue reading →

Posted in CERC, Grid Connected, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, India, Power Generation, PV, Regulations and Procedures, Renewables, Solar | 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

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

IRENA Demystifies Renewable Energy Costs

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

On the occasion of the sixth meeting of its Council in Abu Dhabi, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched a unique web portal dedicated to renewable energy cost analysis (www.irena.org/costs). The portal provides access to IRENA’s data and analysis … Continue reading →

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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

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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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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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

PV Power Plants 2012 – Industry Guide

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Today’s PV market is now completely different to that of one year ago when the previous edition of this brochure was published. Thanks to a dramatic fall in the price of solar modules and an equally significant drop in the … Continue reading →

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

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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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 →

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

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

JNNSM Phase II – Draft Policy

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Moving forward after 2 successful bids, MNRE has now released the JNNSM_Phase_II_Dec_2012_Draft The draft policy makes for some good reading on the current scenario of Solar in India with information presented on the various facets of the prior policies and summaries … Continue reading →

Posted in JNNSM, MNRE, Phase II, PV, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Concentrating Solar Power in India – A Report

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

This report is an outcome of the AusAID Public Sector Linkages Program (PSLP) project, “Concentrating Solar Power in India“. It was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) with the cooperation of the Government of … Continue reading →

Posted in JNNSM, Solar, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

JNNSM: Detailed Presentation on progress up to November 2012

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The JNNSM Solar Policy created history of sorts in dropping PV tariffs to the lowest levels of its times. This complete presentation by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd highlights the timelines, technologies, delays and provides interesting information that’s guaranteed to be of use … Continue reading →

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Centre to set up first geothermal power project in Ladakh: Farooq Abdullah

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

As part of promoting non-conventional energy, the government is setting up its first geothermal power project in Ladakh, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said today. “We are working on that. Our first project on geothermal with … Continue reading →

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A Step Back in Time: REPORT ON BARRIERS FOR SOLAR POWER DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA by the World Bank – 2010

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The World Bank released this report in 2010 citing the various barriers to Solar in India and now would be a good time to see whether they were on the money. The full report The World Bank-Barriers for Solar Power Development … Continue reading →

Posted in JNNSM, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Thermal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Status of Commissioning of 20 Solar PV Projects located in the State of Rajasthan under JNNSM Phase-I, Batch-I: Notice inviting Comments

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

NVVN has recently posted the status of the solar power plants due for commissioning under JNNSM Phase 1 Batch 1 and have requested for any comments as well. Status of Commissioning of 20 Solar PV Projects located in the State … Continue reading →

Posted in JNNSM, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Status update of solar policies and allocations across India

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  Last summer, Ritesh Pothan blogged about India’s Central Government Policy as well as certain key state policies for solar power in Part 2 of his Indian Solar Saga series. In this latest piece, he updates us on the state … Continue reading →

Posted in JNNSM, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Anil Kakodkar, says he has been asked to head India’s Solar Programme

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Anil Kakodkar, on Thursday, May 24th 2012,  refuted media reports that he “refused” Rajya Sabha nomination. He said he could not accept the Prime Minister’s offer because he has his hands full with various government … Continue reading →

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Interview with Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India about the main drivers for the industry

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

PV Insider spoke with Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India about the main drivers for the industry today, including the latest developments and future outlook of the National Solar Mission. Get the … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, JNNSM, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rajasthan’s solar programme indefinitely postponed

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Source: The Hindu Business The 200 MW solar programme of the state of Rajasthan has been indefinitely postponed. On Thursday, the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation put up a circular on its website, which read: “Last date of receiving of bids … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

MERC clarifies that 80IA will continue for projects in India, significantly benefiting renewable energy projects already plagued by low returns

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 80 IA OF INCOME TAX ACT Stakeholder Comments/Suggestions Bharat Forge submitted that the benefits under Section 80IA of the Income tax Act would not be available for projects commissioned after March 31, 2012 and hence, requested the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Hydro, JNNSM, News, Renewables, Solar, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

PV Utility Scale Map India 2012

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Researchers at PV Insider have completed their exclusive PV Utility Scale Map India 2012, the very first map of its kind released in India. The research team at PV Insider have finalized the first map of its kind for utility … Continue reading →

Posted in JNNSM, Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Installed Solar Projects Map of India as of April 2012

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

                                This map is part of BRIDGE TO INDIA’s latest Indian solar market research report, the India Solar Compass (April 2012). At over 35 pages, the India … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Renewable energy, grid parity – myth today or tomorrow’s reality!

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  Grid Parity per Wikipedia is defined as “the point at which alternative means of generating *(continuous) electricity produces power*(throughout the day) at a levelized cost that is equal to or less than the price of purchasing power from the grid. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Hydro, Renewables, Solar, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Final Tariffs for Gujarat Solar Policy declared for plants commissioned post 28th Jan 2012 – Gujarat still a lucrative Solar Destination

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

While rejecting the request for extension of projects with deadlines of Dec 2012 due to inadequate reasoning, the Gujarat Solar policy enters a new tariff phase for the period 2012-2013 for PV  and 2012-2015 for Solar Thermal, interestingly rates for … Continue reading →

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

Technology that has the potential to mainline renewable energy power generation

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Gemasolar plant in Spain is amongst the frontrunners for the type of renewable energy technology that is set to replace coal based power stations with clean alternatives, and being able to be installed in the arid region of nations … Continue reading →

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Intersolar 2011 – a brief update on the conference

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Ritesh Pothan

Jai Rathod, From NG, was at the recently concluded Inter Solar conference at the Leela and the subsequent exhibition at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, held from 13-16 December, 2011. Below is a synopsized version of the going ons and speaker … Continue reading →

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Australian Carbon Tax Legislation has now been passed and will convert into an emissions trading system in 2015

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Ritesh Pothan

For all those Renewable Energy Projects who have written off carbon credits as a funding mechanism should take heart in the form of the Australian Carbon Tax legislation which allows for purchase of carbon credits from outside Australia post 2015, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Hydro, Renewables, Solar, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Indian Solar Saga Part 3 of 3 – Off-Grid Solar Policies and Ground Realities

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Ritesh Pothan

In part 1 and 2 of the 3 part series we covered the Indian power generation scenario, Gujarat, Centre (JNNSM) and State Solar policy with some insights into their application and risks. Our final part covers the Central Government’s Off-grid … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Solargis launches their Photovoltaic planning solar resource data and online tools for India

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Ritesh Pothan

A dearth of accurate systems to measure the suns irradiation especially for India has been an area of concern for developers, investors, as well as engineering organizations with EPC arms in solar. This void is being slowly filled by companies … Continue reading →

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The Indian Solar Saga Part 2 of 3 – Central and State Grid Solar Policies

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Ritesh Pothan

In part 1 of the 3 part series we have covered the Indian power generation scenario and Gujarat Solar policy with insights on pros and cons of the state. In this post we will cover the Central Government Policy as … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

JNNSM solar projects with confirmed financial closure exceeds 500 MW, Mr Anil Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, (NVVN)

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Ritesh Pothan

The Hindu Business line reports that the total capacity of all the projects that have confirmed financial closure exceeds 500 MW, Mr Anil Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) – the nodal agency for conducting the selection process for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Solar | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments