Tag Archives: environment

BP Energy Outlook 2030 – A view into the future of energy consumption globally

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Click here for the document This is the second year in which BP has made the outlook for global energy available to the public. I am glad to see this decision was endorsed by the response we received to last year’s edition, … Continue reading →

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Spinning mills’ body files case against TN solar policy

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The Tamilnadu Spinning Mills’ Association has filed a petition with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity asking the Tribunal to declare Tamil Nadu Government-imposed ‘solar purchase obligation’ null and void. (Above) Houses constructed under the Chief Minister’s Solar Powered Green House … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, PV, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Renewables, Rooftop, Solar, Solar Policy, Tamil Nadu, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New lithium-ion battery technology that is 2,000 times more powerful than comparable batteries

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a new lithium-ion battery technology that is 2,000 times more powerful than comparable batteries. According to the researchers, this is not simply an evolutionary step in battery tech, “It’s a new … Continue reading →

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Solutions for the new age – my article on the future of private transport in Energy Next Magazine

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Vehicles are now the most polluting segment of any urban society and India is no exception either. With the current trend of diesel taking precedence, this issue needs to be looked into and a lot of thought needs to go … Continue reading →

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The largest PV System Integrator / EPC companies for 2012: First Solar, Sun Edison, BELECTRIC…..

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

IHS’s table of the world’s top 15 EPC companies. Source: IHS. US giant First Solar became the world’s largest engineering, procurement and construction contractor (EPC) last year, according to a report from IHS Research. The study also revealed a shift … Continue reading →

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Mixed Greens: EU talks climate targets as global fossil subsidies hit $2tn for oil, natural gas, coal and electricity production

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The European Union has proposed a new package of carbon and renewable energy targets for 2030 that could see the introduction of a 40 per cent carbon reduction target, as well as a 30 per cent share target for renewable … Continue reading →

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NPD Solarbuzz: PV market to reach 31GW in 2013; 45% ground mounted

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

For the first time, China is expected to become the largest market, surpassing Germany. Indeed, Asia is fast becoming the largest markets, according to NPD Solarbuzz, which expects China, Japan, and India combined to account for 36% of global PV … Continue reading →

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Coal Power Plant Emissions killing thousands prematurely

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Emissions from coal-fired plants across the country may have resulted in thousands of premature deaths and condemned millions more to various respiratory ailments every year, says a study by the groups Conservation Action Trust (CAT), Urban Emissions and Greenpeace. A first-of-its-kind … Continue reading →

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US challenges India’s solar program restrictions at WTO

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

The United States on Wednesday filed a challenge with the World Trade Organisation over elements of India’s national solar program, which it said discriminates against foreign solar products in violation of a core global trade rule. The case comes as … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, JNNSM, Phase II, PV, Renewables, Solar, Solar Policy, Thin Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thermocline System looking to provide Cheap, Efficient Solar Energy Storage at $0.78 US per kWh

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Researchers at the University of Arkansas in the US set out to invent an efficient and economical energy storage system that would improve the overall efficiency of solar thermal plants. The team has developed a thermocline solar energy storage system that stores … Continue reading →

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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 →

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CERC revises Benchmark Capital Cost, PV to Rs. 8 Crs and Thermal to Rs. 12 Crs; has asked for comments / suggestions be made before the 23rd of November 2012

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION – NEW DELHI Petition No. 242/SM//2012 (Suo‐motu) Date of Order: 25th October, 2012 In the matter of Determination of Benchmark Capital Cost Norm for Solar PV power projects and Solar Thermal power projects applicable during FY 2013‐14 ORDER … Continue reading →

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Andhra Pradesh likely to call bids for generation of 1,000 mw of solar power

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Andhra Pradesh Government is likely to call bids for generation of 1,000 mw of solar power shortly in a bid to overcome the power crisis and also to encourage non-conventional energy sector. The Andhra Pradesh Government is likely to … Continue reading →

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Andhra Pradesh Solar Policy – 2012

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH – ABSTRACT Clean and Green Energy – Development of Solar Power in Andhra Pradesh – Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Policy – Order – Issued. —————————————————————————————- ENERGY (RES-A1) DEPARTMENT G.O. Ms. No. 39 Dt. 26-09-2012 ORDER:- In order … Continue reading →

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New take on residential solar systems and street lighting shows innovative thinking by Tamil Nadu

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

In addition to the newly launched Solar Policy, TN is now pushing ahead with redefining the norms for home and street lighting. To reduce the pressure on the grid during the peak hours, TEDA has introduced guidelines for grid interactive solar systems … Continue reading →

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FutureShip Designs Zero-Emission Fuel Cell Ferry for Scandlines

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Further to Scandlines’ expression of interest in fuel cell ferries for the Fehmarn Belt crossing between Denmark and Germany, a shipping efficiency consultancy has produced a design for the proposed ferries. Germanischer Lloyd subsidiary FutureShip has developed a zero-emission propulsion concept for Scandlines, which could … Continue reading →

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Complete Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy 2012

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Tamil Nadu has again proved to be at the forefront of generating renewable energy by creating an investor and environmental friendly Solar Policy which puts in the right set of incentives to bridge the tremendous power gap as well as … Continue reading →

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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – Jawaharlal Nehru National solar Mission – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP (CFL) BASED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC LIGHTING SYSTEMS (Off-grid Solar Applications Scheme 2012-2013)

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP (CFL) BASED SOLAR LANTERN A Solar Lantern is a portable lighting device consisting of a PV module, battery, lamp, and electronics. Battery, lamp, and electronics are placed in a suitable housing, made of metal or plastic or … Continue reading →

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Solar movement in India gathers steam as Odisha announces 25 MW project

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Odisha has announced a 25 MW solar power project. Solar power plant developers can bid for the project and the one that sells the power at the lowest tariff to the State will be awarded the project. The Odisha project … Continue reading →

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Renewable energy trade picks up speed in India

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) trade —  a mechanism to trade renewable energy including solar, wind, biomass and small hydro projects on platforms similar to stock exchanges — is slowly gaining ground in India. REC trade, which began in India in … Continue reading →

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Solar water heaters see high demand

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

RENEWABLE POWER:Solar water heaters installed in Coimbatore. Thrust on green concepts, increasing power cuts and better awareness on solar products have resulted in high demand for solar water heaters in the last two years. Some companies in Coimbatore say that … Continue reading →

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How solar power can help the billion people without electricity

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Sharan Pinto installs a solar panel on the rooftop of a house in Nada, a village near the southwest Indian port of Mangalore, India. Photograph: Rafiq Maqbool/AP After the Durban talks last month, climate realists must face the reality that … Continue reading →

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Draft UP Solar Policy envisages 1 GW by 2017

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Uttar Pradesh Solar POWER-POLICY-DRAFT-Ver 2 2012 Electric power and its easy availability is an established benchmark of development and an essential prerequisite for all-round prosperity. No major economic activity can be sustained without adequate and reliable source of power. The economic development of … Continue reading →

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Tokelau atoll to shed complete diesel dependence by replacing with solar

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Diesel-dependent Tokelau is still on track to become the first entirely solar-powered places on Earth in a project led by a New Zealand solar company. All three atolls in the South Pacific dependency, a New Zealand territory, will have their … Continue reading →

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Gujarat planning world’s largest solar power plant with funding from IFC

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

With renewable energy the in thing nowadays, the state government is exploring the possibility of setting up a 1,000 MW solar power project. The government has initiated talks with International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank arm, seeking its support … Continue reading →

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Andhra Pradesh Government has agreed to permit state-owned power utility Generation Corporation of Andhra Pradesh to set up 100 MW solar power plants

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Andhra Pradesh Government has agreed to permit state-owned power utility Generation Corporation of Andhra Pradesh to set up 100 MW solar power plants close to the existing thermal and hydel power plants. This move is part of the State … Continue reading →

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Surat confident of zero waste by 2015

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Is it possible for a city to keep all its waste out of the landfill? The diamond city thinks it is. And, the urban planners in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) say it will only take three years for them … Continue reading →

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Waaree Bags a 5.75 MW Thin Film Solar PV Plant, EPC Order from Shree Saibaba Sugar Factory – Latur, Maharashtra, India

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Waaree Energies Pvt Ltd, operating in the field of Manufacturing Solar PV Modules, Design Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operation & Maintenance of Solar PV Power Plants, has bagged a Turnkey project order of 5.75 MW Thin film Solar PV Power Plant … Continue reading →

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MP govt approves new solar energy policy, four solar energy parks each generating 200 MW of power will be set up in the state under public-private partnership

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  Madhya Pradesh Government today approved its new solar energy policy, under which, four solar energy parks each generating 200 MW of power will be set up in the state under public-private partnership. The Solar Energy Policy-2012 was approved by … Continue reading →

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Top 5 predictions for Solar PV in India for the year 2012 – Ritesh Pothan

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

There is a good amount of confusion reigning in the Solar PV arena and this post is to help clear up the air. I cannot guarantee the veracity of this post as the predictions are based on past inputs and … Continue reading →

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Tidal Power still very expensive, as Gujarat enters into agreement with US firm

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Gujarat government has entered into a preliminary agreement with US firm Atlantis for starting a 50 MW tidal wave power project at either of the two spots, but preferably in the Gulf of Kutch, “a senior official said, adding, … Continue reading →

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Solar power shines on photo voltaic panel price crash

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Riding on the crash in photo voltaic (PV) panel prices, the solar power sector in India had a dream run last year with capacity ballooning to 940MW in 2011-12 from a paltry 20MW in 2010-11. That’s just statistics. What’s significant and not … Continue reading →

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TANGEDCO wants banking of wind power abolished

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp comment: This is beginning to sound like the death knell for Wind in India. The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO), which is the state electricity generation and distribution utility, on Friday made a plea before the Tamil … Continue reading →

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Solar Biomass Hybrid Cold Storage-cum Power Generation System

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Sponsor: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Duration: 3 years Key Stakeholder/Beneficiaries: Farmers, fruit and vegetable supply chains, fruit and vegetable exporters Objectives To develop a solar-cum-biomass based cooling system for village level cold storages in addition to providing electricity to the village. … Continue reading →

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Solar Power bids below Rs. 9 per unit risky says Crisil Research

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

KOLKATA: CRISIL Research, believes that the pace of reduction in capital costs in solar power is expected to moderate in 2012. This will exert pressure on the margins of players, who have bid below Rs 9 per unit under batch 2 of Jawaharlal … Continue reading →

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KREDL’s Mannur Solar Park in Bijapur, Karnataka

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. has embarked upon a Public-Private-Partnersip project for a 1000 hectare solar park at Mannur village in Bijapur. The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL) is in the process of seeking the requisite State Government approval … Continue reading →

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Greenpeace report on the role of micro grids in promoting the renewable energy revolution needed in Bihar

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Something’s brewing in Bihar. After decades of being India’s most notoriously ‘backward’ state, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has tempered corruption, built roads and spurred development. Given the impressive achievements of his previous term, it’s no surprise he rode to … Continue reading →

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Status of commissioned Solar Power Projects under Rooftop PV & Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP) (as on April 02, 2012)

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Click here for the update on the Status of commissioned Solar Power Projects under Rooftop PV & Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP) (as on April 02, 2012) or Click to access rooftop-pv-small-solar-power-generation-rpssgp-april-2012-update.pdf  

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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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Biomass-based power producers seek regulators’ help to resolve issues

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Oddly enough over the last few years the biomass industry has faced a number of issues sourcing agricultural waste from local farmers due to the nearsightedness of not tying up the supply chain using professional methods which has led to the current … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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Only two companies walk away with MP Solar Allocation of 125MW

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

NOTE OF CAUTION: EQMAG (claiming 2 winners for 125MW and 75MW  unknown) and Hindu Business Line ( claiming 4 winners for 200MW) have conflicting information. We are yet to validate the final results and will update the post accordingly.  On … Continue reading →

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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 →

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The Indian Biomass Power Sector – Part 1

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

by Jai Rathod In the first of a two-part blog piece, Ritesh Pothan’s colleague, Jai Rathod, takes a look at the milestones reached by India’s biomass sector. Jai reports that India’s biomass industry faces a number of challenges, but concludes that “in … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Wind Independent Power Producers welcome scrapping of Accelerated Depreciation

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The wind industry is divided over abolition of ‘accelerated depreciation‘ benefit (which allowed higher depreciation for calculating taxable profits in the first year of buying a wind turbine.) While the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers’ Association (IWTMA) has expressed dismay over … Continue reading →

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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

India’s transmission and distribution utilities – It’s time to transform

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The need for power has seen tremendous growth in the last decade riding on the prosperity that various export oriented sectors, have heralded, in India. This economic growth has increased living standards for the common man who now demands more than just roti (food), … Continue reading →

Posted in Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Class action lawsuit filed in US District Court against First Solar

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

While we had initially covered the unsuitability of First Solar for Hot Climates and then a reply by their PR Director, more heartache was in store for the company A class action lawsuit was filed against First Solar by Pomerantz … Continue reading →

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