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1. voda 15 november 2015 15:36

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   Sterling and Wilson to set up 23MW solar plant in Philippines
   
   Sterling and Wilson, part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, said that it has bagged a contract from Singapore-headquartered Sindicatum Renewable Energy to set up a 23-MW solar PV plant in the Philippines.
   
   The company said in a statement "Sterling and Wilson has been awarded an EPC contract from Asian clean energy developer Sindicatum Renewable Energy to set up a 23 mw solar photo-voltaic power plant in the Clark region of the Philippines."
   
   With this contract, the company's orderbook now stands at 101 mw in the Philippines alone.
   
   The new project will be constructed under the Department of Energy (DOE) Philippines solar power procurement programme under the feed-in-tariff mechanism and is expected to be completed by February 2016.
   
   Clark Freeport zone is a former United States Air Force Base in the Philippines which has now been redeveloped into an advanced economic centre for business, industry, aviation, education and tourism.
   
   Source : PTI
   
2. voda 17 november 2015 20:27

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   India’s Mytrah Energy eyes USD 185 million equity finance for solar power projects
   
   It is reported that positive regulatory and economic environment is helping Indian renewable energy project developers consider raising equity funding at high valuations.
   
   Mytrah Energy, an Indian independent power producer in the renewable energy sector, has announced plans to raise approximately USD 185 million through equity finance for solar power projects. The company, which has so far been active only in the wind energy sector recently entered the solar power sector.
   
   The company is looking to secure enough funds to achieve financial closure for 380 MW worth of solar power projects over the next 6 to 8 months.
   
   Mytrah Energy claims to have 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity already under construction, has already achieved financial closure for 680 MW capacity, and is working on the balance 320 MW.
   
   Over the last year, several wind energy companies have similarly announced plans to venture into the Indian solar power sector. With an installed capacity target of 100 GW for solar power, compared to 60 GW for wind energy, by 2022, solar power in India certainly offers more opportunities for growth.
   
   Suzlon Energy, one of India’s largest wind energy solutions provider, recently participated in a 500 MW auction under the National Solar Mission. Goldman Sachs-backed ReNew Power Ventures also shifted from a wind-only strategy to successfully enter the solar power market.
   
   Gamesa India has been the largest original equipment manufacturer in India’s wind energy sector for the last two years.
   
   Recently, the company commissioned its first solar power project in a southern Indian state.
   
   Source : Clean Technica
   
3. voda 17 november 2015 20:27

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   Solar power could be 10% cheaper than coal-based power by 2020 - KPMG
   
   Consultancy firm KPMG said that solar power could be up to 10% cheaper than coal-based power by 2020.
   
   KPMG said that "Today, in India, solar prices are within 15% of the coal power prices on a levelised basis. While this may not fully capture costs such as grid integration costs for solar, our analysis suggests that even after considering the same, solar prices would be competitive with coal. Our forecast is that by 2020, solar power prices could be up to 10% lower than coal power prices."
   
   Solar power tariff in India touched a record low early this month with US-based SunEdison's winning bid of INR 4.63 per unit for a contract to sell 500 mw of solar energy to state-run NTPC Ltd. The tariff is about 15% less than the industry average and 8% below the previous low of INR 5.05 per unit quoted by Canada's SkyPower for a tender in Madhya Pradesh.
   
   Source : Economic Times
   
4. voda 17 november 2015 20:32

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   SunPower plans to sell rooftop solar electricity in California
   
   Bloomberg reported that SunPower Corp., the second-biggest U.S. solar manufacturer, is developing a plan to sell electricity in California.
   
   Mr Tom Werner CEO said in an interview Tuesday at the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference in Hollywood, Florida that as the company combines its rooftop solar, energy storage and management systems, it will tap those resources to sell into the California bulk-power marketplace.
   
   Mr Werner said that "Participating in the wholesale markets is definitely where we will go. The company will initially focus on selling batteries along with its solar systems for backup power and reduction of power use during peak demand hours. Walk before you run."
   
   However, the move would represent a shift for SunPower, which has focused on making panels and developing solar farms. It comes after the California Independent System Operator Corp. approved in July rules that would allow aggregated distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar and batteries to participate for the first time in the state’s wholesale power market.
   
   Source : Bloomberg
   

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5. voda 19 november 2015 20:55

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   Chinese company Trina Solar to set up Vizag plant at Atchutapuram
   
   Business Line reported that Chinese company Trina Solar and the Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday inked an MoU to set up a INR 2,800-crore solar cell plant at Atchutapuram in Visakhapatnam district.
   
   Mr N Chandrababu Naidu CM of Andhra Pradesh said that the project will create 3,500 jobs.
   
   State Industries Secretary SS Rawat signed the MoU on behalf of the AP government with Trina Solar Vice-President Chen Shou Chung.
   
   Trina Solar specialises in the manufacture of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and system integration. It also develops and produces ingots and wafers.
   
   Source : Business Line
   

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6. voda 19 november 2015 21:06

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   Govt should review auction process of solar power projects - Industry experts
   
   Economic Times reported that plunging solar power prices following aggressive bids at auctions may turn out to be a nightmare for sector as the government needs to responsibly balance tariffs with viability as it sets out to implement its ambitious targets for renewable energy.
   
   Industry executives and experts said the government should review the auction process although companies that bid aggressively are confident that their projects are viable. The government said its aim was not to lower tariffs but to scale up solar electricity generation capacity.
   
   Mr Sumant Sinha, Renew Power Ventures chief executive officer, said that "In India auctions may not be the most optimal way to develop a long term, vibrant and sustainable sector. Most countries around the world are following a mechanism of feedin tariffs."
   
   Mr Sinh said that “Solar power tariff in India touched a record low early this month with US-based SunEdison's winning bid of INR 4.63 per unit for a contract to sell 500 mw of solar energy to state-run NTPC Ltd. The tariff is about 15 per cent less than the industry average and 8 per cent below the previous low of Rs 5.05 per unit quoted by Canada's SkyPower for a tender in Madhya Pradesh.”
   
   SunEdison President Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa Pashupati Gopalan said, "We will make our desired returns in the 4.63/kWh bid. To increase the capacity, the government should consider bidding large volumes of 5-10 GW on a yearly basis and also cap each developer to 2-3 GW. This will allow more time plan these bids and also allow several developers to build their organisations in this nascent industry in India."
   
   KPMG partner and global chairman-ENR said sustainability is very important and the government needs to manage transition well.
   
   Mr Tarun Kapoor, joint secretary in the ministry of new and renewable energy, said that "Our aim is not to drag tariffs but to get large volumes. Some people say the tariffs are not viable, but since many companies bidding at that level we believe they are sustainable."
   
   Source : Economic Times
   
7. voda 20 november 2015 20:49

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   Tata Steel to install 80,000 solar panels on IJmuiden factory
   
   Tata Steel is building the largest rooftop solar park in the Netherlands by installing 80 thousand solar panels of the roofs of the factory complex in IJmuiden, the steel group announced on Wednesday.
   
   Tata Steel is working with energy supplier Pure Energie on this project, which will cost about 23 million euros. Pure Energie will carry this investment and supply power to Tata Steel, which will pay four to five cents per kilowatt-hour.
   
   The construction of the solar park, which will cover a roof area of 25 hectares, will start in the spring of 2016. The solar panels will eventually produce 22 million kilowatt-hours per year, enough to supply some 7 thousand households. The generated energy will be used in steel making.
   
   Mr Hans Fischer, director of Tata Steel in IJmuiden, said “Tata Steel aims to contribute to a more sustainable society. I hope this project leads to imitation elsewhere in our country and beyond.”
   
   Source : NL Times
   

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8. voda 20 november 2015 20:57

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   Waaree Energies to set up 75 MW solar plant in Gujarat
   
   PTI reported that Engineering firm Waaree Energies has bagged a contract to set up a 75 MW solar project in Gujarat.
   
   "Waaree Energies has bagged an EPC contract for a 75 MW solar power plant from a company engaged in electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Gujarat," the company said in a statement today.
   
   The scope of the work includes design, manufacture, supply, installation, operation and maintenance of the solar power plant, which is scheduled to get commissioned by March next year.
   
   "This will be one of the biggest solar plants to be built in western India at a single location. This contract gives us a further impetus in implementing the turnkey projects in the solar sector," company's Director Viren Doshi said.
   
   Source : PTI
   
9. voda 20 november 2015 21:01

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   India's solar capacity may reach 3,645 MW in 2016 - Mercom
   
   India's solar installations are expected to reach around 3,645 MW in 2016, clean energy consultant Mercom Capital Group said. It said "Mercom forecasts about 2,150 MW in solar installations for the 2015 calendar year and expects installations in 2016 to reach approximately 3,645 MW, a significant year-over-year growth.”
   
   Year-to-date, solar installations in India stand at 1,652 MW, with cumulative solar installations in the country totaling 4,816 MW, it said.
   
   Mercom Capital Group CEO and Co-Founder Mr Raj Prabhu said “There have been a number of important energy related policy announcements recently, with increased activity on the ground with tenders and auctions beginning to occur more frequently.”
   
   After several delays, NTPC has begun calling for tenders under the 3,000 MW Phase II Batch 2 Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission programme, it said.
   
   The first auction under this batch closed with SunEdison placing the winning bid of Rs 4.63 kWh for a 500 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh. This bid is the lowest in India to date.
   
   "Bids are falling faster than component costs and there is a concern that this is a race to the bottom for solar bids in India," Prabhu said.
   
   "The pent up demand due to auction delays is leading to aggressive bidding in an effort to capture market share with an assumption that component costs will continue to fall no matter what. This is a risky strategy considering the global market trends over the next 12 months," Prabhu said.
   
   Source : Economic Times
   
10. voda 24 november 2015 17:16

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    PUB embarks on study to tap into solar energy via reservoirs
    
    Channel News Asia reported that National water agency PUB is embarking on a nine-month feasibility study to determine the potential of harnessing solar energy at its reservoirs and facilities.
    
    PUB said findings from the study will determine the usable space for solar deployment and guide the agency's efforts in that area.
    
    Ten reservoirs have been identified to be part of the project. They are:
    
    Sarimbun Reservoir
    Murai Reservoir
    Poyan Reservoir
    Tengeh Reservoir
    Kranji Reservoir
    Pandan Reservoir
    Upper Peirce Reservoir
    Lower Peirce Reservoir
    Upper Seletar Reservoir
    Lower Seletar Reservoir
    
    PUB added that solar PV technology has been identified as a key renewable energy source, that could potentially be deployed across Singapore.
    
    PUB said that "The reservoirs, with their open surface area, offer much potential for solar energy generation."
    
    The study will assess the extent to which solar panels can be installed and the solar yield that can be achieved, before a business model and implementation plan are proposed.
    
    Besides reservoirs, the study will also look into the solar deployment potential at land-based facilities such as waterworks and water reclamation plants, PUB said.
    
    Source : Channel News Asia
    

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12. voda 25 november 2015 19:52

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    Chhattisgarh signs MoU for INR 290 crore solar cell plant
    
    Times of India reported that in its endeavour to promote innovative industrial projects aligned with national priorities, Chhattisgarh government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with M/s LancoInfratech Limited, a subsidiary Lanco Solar Private Limited, for manufacturing 100MW of solar cells annually.
    
    The proposed INR 290 crores project, slated to come up in chief minister Mr Raman Singh's home constituency of Rajnandgaon, is said to be the first Poly-silicon and Wafer manufacturing facility in India. The project is expected to generate direct employment for about 150 people.
    
    According to officials of the industry department, the 100 mw cell line facility is part of the integrated manufacturing solar plant of Lanco, which currently manufactures PV modules and has polysilicon and Wafer Plant under construction. The plant is expected to be functional by January 2017.
    
    Officials said that the integrated facility, once operational, will manufacture PV modules from polysilicon, which would further induce an investment of more than INR 2,000 crore and create over 2000 direct and indirect employment opportunities in the state.
    
    Dr Raman Singh, CM, said that “industrial policies and ease of doing business in Chhattisgarh have attracted "lots" of investment in the state and many corporates are being part of the state's growth. He said the state is committed to make National Solar Mission a great success and achieve 100GW of Solar power target in the country by 2022.
    
    Meanwhile, the MoU was signed between the state's secretary commerce & industries, Subodh Kumar Singh and president, M/s Lanco Infratech Limited, Raj Kumar Roy in the presence of Dr Singh. Chief secretary, Vivek Dhand, executive chairman of Lanco Infratech Ltd L Madhusudhan Rao, Principal Secretary to CM, Aman Singh, joint secretary to CM, Rajat Kumar were also present on the occasion.
    
    Source : Times of India
    
13. voda 25 november 2015 19:53

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    Moroccan solar plant to bring energy to a million people next month at Quarzazate
    
    BBC reported that a giant plant using energy from the Sun to power a Moroccan city at night will open next month. The solar thermal plant at Ouarzazate will harness the Sun's warmth to melt salt, which will hold its heat to power a steam turbine in the evening.
    
    The first phase will generate for three hours after dark; the last stage aims to supply power 20 hours a day. It is part of Morocco's pledge to get 42% of its electricity from renewables by 2020.
    
    The UN has praised Morocco for the level of its ambition. The UK, a much richer country, is aiming for 30% by the same date.
    
    The Saudi-built Ouarzazate solar thermal plant will be one of the world's biggest when it is complete. The mirrors will cover the same area as the country's capital, Rabat.
    
    Futuristic complex
    Paddy Padmanathan of Saudi-owned ACWA Power, which is running the thermal project, said: "Whether you are an engineer or not, any passer-by is simply stunned by it. You have 35 soccer fields of huge parabolic mirrors pointed to the sky which are moveable so they will track the Sun throughout the day."
    
    The developers say phase one of the futuristic complex will bring energy to a million people.
    
    The complex stands on the edge of a gritty, flat, rust-red desert, with the snow-clad Atlas mountains towering to the North. It is part of a vision from Morocco's King Mohammed VI to turn his country into a renewable energy powerhouse.
    
    Melted salt inside this tank holds heat into the evening
    The country has been 98% dependent on imported fossil fuels, but the king was persuaded of the vast capacity of Atlantic wind, mountain hydro power and scorching Saharan sun.
    
    The king's plans are being enacted by environment minister Hakima el Haite.
    
    She told me: "We are convinced that climate change is an opportunity for our country."
    
    As part of its national commitment to the Paris climate conference, Morocco has pledged to decrease CO2 emissions 32% below business-as-usual by 2030, conditional on aid to reach the renewables target.
    
    Currently Morocco imports electricity from Spain, but engineers hope that will not last long.
    
    'True revolution'
    Morocco's previously useless slice of the Sahara is proving a blessing for solar power. Solar thermal technology only works in hot sunny countries. The price is falling, and its growing capacity to store energy is arousing interest.
    
    The cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is falling much faster but the International Energy Agency expects them both to play a part in an energy revolution which is likely to see solar as the dominant source of electricity globally by 2050.
    
    Source : BBC
    

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14. voda 26 november 2015 16:52

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    Lanco Solar sign pact with Chhattisgarh govt for 100 MW plant
    
    Business Line reported that Lanco Solar has signed an agreement with the Chhattisgarh Government for the setting up of a 100-MW solar cell manufacturing plant and attracting domestic and global players in setting up solar PV projects in a special economic zone.
    
    The subsidiary of the diversified Lanco Infratech, Lanco Solar, which re-started the work on its manufacturing unit in July 2015, has thus far invested INR 1,200 crore on its poly-silicon refining and wafer plant and a 150-MW module plant.
    
    The project is being set up on a 250-acre special economic zone (SEZ) at Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh under the National Solar Mission objective of achieving domestic PV cell production of 2,200 MW/year. The project has all mandatory clearances and committed water and power supply.
    
    The MoU was signed by the Chhattisgarh Industry Secretary, Mr Subodh Singh, and Lanco Solar President Mr Raj Kumar Roy in the presence Raman Singh, State Chief Minister.
    
    Mr L Madhusudhan Rao, executive chairman, Lanco Infratech, in a statement said that “We welcome Government’s initiative of accelerating the development and green energy mission. The plant is centrally located for entire Indian market. This will be a showcase project being the first poly silicon and ingots and wafers manufacturing facility coming up in India which will bring Chhattisgarh on global silicon map. At the same time, it plays anchor Industry role to attract investments in other solar PV manufacturing units within this plug & play SEZ zone.”
    
    Mr Rao said that “Chhattisgarh and Lanco have decided to jointly invite companies for setting up solar PV manufacturing facilities in this SEZ.”
    
    Source : Business Line
    
15. voda 27 november 2015 17:21

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    Azure Power commissions 5-MW plant in Jaisalmer
    
    Business Line reported that Azure Power has commissioned a 5-MW solar power plant at Sarkaritala, Jaisalmer in Rajashtan to electrify the border posts around the region.
    
    The company said it has signed a power purchase agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India to supply power for the next 25 years.
    
    Azure Power has been working on various projects with the Rajasthan Government. Recently, the company has commissioned a 100-MW capacity plant in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. With the latest project being commissioned in Jaisalmer, Azure Power has a cumulative operational capacity of 147 MW.
    
    Source : Business Line
    

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16. voda 30 november 2015 17:06

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    Bosch India wins InterSolar Award 2015
    
    Bosch India, a supplier of technology and services, has been adjudged the winner at InterSolar Award 2015 in the Industrial and Commercial category.
    
    Bosch received the award for the excellence in engineering and execution it brought to the commissioning of the 12 MW solar plant for the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) earlier this year in August.
    
    Mr Venugopalan C M, head of Bosch India Energy business, said that “The energy team at Bosch India strives to excel in every project we are contracted for, and winning the InterSolar award for the second consecutive year is a testament of our strong engineering capabilities.”
    
    Mr Venugopalan said that "The evaluation criterions based on which Bosch was adjudged winner included, degree of technological innovation, pioneering characteristic, uniqueness, economic, environment and society benefits and proof of innovation, among other factors. CIAL is a project that aptly highlights Bosch’s strength in delivering complex and challenging projects involving special engineering tasks.”
    
    Source : Business Line
    
17. voda 30 november 2015 17:07

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    India’s solar power cos’ funding struggle slows transition to green tech
    
    Business Line reported that Indian solar power developers are struggling to find cheap sources of finance, slowing the process of switching to greener technologies.
    
    Mr Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director at consultancy firm Bridge To India, said that “There are very limited options for raising debt financing from abroad (for solar power developers in India). Typical sources include multi or bilateral agencies such as IFC, ADB, US Exim, KFW, OPIC and others. But all these agencies have long and costly credit assessment processes and that’s why such financing is usually viable only for large projects of over 100 MW.”
    
    Mr Rustagi said that typically, while foreign money has been coming into the solar power sector from the US and Western Europe, recently Japan and China have also showed interest.
    
    Most India-based solar power developers get financing at 11 per cent while those with access to foreign funds get it at much cheaper rate of 7-8 per cent; sometimes even lower.
    
    As a result, India is insisting that climate funding be an integral part of any agreement as part of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference so that companies have access to cheaper finance.
    
    Indian concerns
    An official in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said that “There are indications that efforts may be made by some rich countries to keep climate funding out of the legal text and float a separate best endeavour paper on it. But this is not acceptable to us.”
    
    The official said that “We are not asking for just grants. Loans on easy terms would also go a long way in helping the process of financing projects.”
    
    Although, developed countries had agreed to set up a Green Climate Fund worth USD 100 billion by 2020, not much has been committed so far and there seems to be some hesitation amongst nations to take on binding commitments in the area in Paris.
    
    No dilution
    Meanwhile, India also will not accept any dilution in the ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities’ (CBDR) principle of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
    
    The CBDR calls for developed nations, which have contributed the most to climate change so far through their high emissions, to take on higher commitments to cut carbon emissions.
    
    The Environment Ministry official said that “Any fair agreement to combat climate change has to be based on the principle of differentiation. Although India has not contributed to climate change, it is ready to play an important role in combating it. The countries that have actually hurt the global climate through their high emissions definitely have to do more.”
    
    Source : Business Line
    
18. voda 2 december 2015 17:18

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    Shadows of thermal power gloom loom over solar industry in AP - Report
    
    Economic Times reported that a day before bids for a solar park in Andhra Pradesh closed, executives at a foreign investor-backed company found it hard to conceal their excitement. After a go-ahead from the bosses to go "aggressive" and a lot of number crunching, they reduced their bid to below INR 5 a unit. What were the chances they wouldn't win? They didn't. US-based SunEdison bagged the project, quoting the lowest-ever bid of INR 4.63 a unit.
    
    India's solar energy sector has seen record capacity addition and tariffs bid for new projects have fallen to unprecedented levels. But is the "sunrise industry" at risk of repeating the mistakes of the thermal power industry? While solar power developers are bidding aggressively, they're not leaving enough room for cost escalation, threatening the viability of projects.
    
    As the sector adds generation capacity, transmission infrastructure isn't expanding as quickly.
    
    Also, like the thermal power industry, the solar sector's growth hinges on buying cheap equipment from overseas even as Indian equipment manufacturers bleed.
    
    Mr Sunil Jain, CEO at the renewable arm of Hero Group-Hero Future Energies, said that "The government asked us to run and the industry sprinted. The sector has not learnt lessons from the thermal power sector and most solar power developers are bidding very aggressively. If their call goes wrong, it will have a far-reaching effect. This business has become like the ecommerce game - people are not playing on bottom line but are trying to build high valuation by adding large capacities so that they can exit later."
    
    Mr Jain's company bid for and lost the Andhra Pradesh project. For almost a decade since the early 2000s, thermal power companies aggressively offered low tariffs to grab projects offered by the government. When fuel prices increased and project execution cost escalated due to delays, they found that the power purchase agreement didn't have a provision for tariff revision. Tata Power, which bagged the Mundra ultra-mega power project with a bid of INR 2.26 a unit, had to book an impairment charge when Indonesian coal prices increased. Reliance Power's bids of INR 1.77 a unit for the Tilaiya ultra-mega power project and INR 1.196 for Sasan were celebrated in 2007-2009. The company has now exited Tilaiya and is said to have asked state-run Power Finance Corporation to buy out its Sasan project.
    
    The contract for solar power doesn't include a tariff revision provision, either. While solar power projects don't have to worry about escalating fuel costs, their pricing projections are exposed to risks related to project execution, foreign exchange and equipment and replacement costs.
    
    Mr Sumant Sinha, chief executive officer of ReNew Power, said that "A bid below INR 5 can at best give modest returns, which is not encouraging for investors and may impact capital flow."
    
    Mr Sinha said that for National Solar Mission projects, bids could settle at INR 5-5.25 a unit given that execution is easier and financing options are better, while that for state projects could be 25-30 per cent higher.
    
    He said that "I met some Chinese solar power companies who were horrified to hear our tariff has fallen to 7 cents while it's still about 13 cents in China."
    
    SunEdison said that it will sell 425 MW of projects in India to its 'yieldco' TerraForm Global Inc. for USD 231 million. Yieldcos are typically set up by clean-energy companies to buy their power plants. The developers get capital for new projects while yieldcos hold assets that generate revenue from selling electricity. Most companies setting up solar projects in India are looking at selling to yieldcos in the US.
    
    Source : Economic Times
    
    
19. voda 2 december 2015 20:16

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    Govt bats for revising RPO target to 10pct by 2022
    
    PTI reported that the government is looking at increasing renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets from 3 per cent to 10 per cent so as to meet the one lakh MW solar capacity by 2022.
    
    Under the RPO, distribution companies (discoms) are mandated to purchase a certain amount of their power from renewable sources. The current tariff policy mentions separate percentages of RPO for solar and non-solar sources.
    
    Mr Tarun Kapoor, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Joint Secretary, said that "If we have to achieve the target of 1,00,000 MW of green power, we will have to increase the RPO targets to 8-10 per cent by 2022."
    
    Mr Kapoor said that the revision in the current RPO targets has to take place in the new tariff policy.
    
    The power ministry was requested to look into it after which it prepared a proposal that is pending Cabinet approval.
    
    He said that "Some state electricity regulators have currently fixed an RPO above 1 per cent, but some have not even reached that level as yet. Regulators, if they wish to, can increase the RPO target without even waiting for the tariff policy. But if they wait for it then it may come in the next month."
    
    He added that in the national plan for climate change, India has talked about 15 per cent target of renewable energy by 2020.
    
    He further added that "This was said in 2010 that in 10 years we would have 15 per cent of energy from all renewable sources. Right now some states have given RPO target (solar, non-solar combine) of 5-7 per cent, so that they will have to increase to 15 per cent by 2022."
    Source : PTI
    
20. voda 2 december 2015 20:22

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    Dubai to install solar panels on all buildings by 2030
    
    The government said that Dubai will spend billions of dollars on generating clean energy, aiming to have solar panels installed on the roofs of all buildings by 2030.
    
    The fast-growing desert city state of 2.4 million, located in one of the hottest regions of the world, uses huge amounts of energy to air-condition its skyscrapers and provide water supplies through desalination.
    
    Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum said in a statement that The Dubai government will encourage building owners to place solar panels on their roofs and link them to a network of the local power utility. All Dubai buildings would have solar cells by 2030.
    
    Dubai also serves as business and technology centre for oil producing states across the Gulf region, so its plans could have an impact on energy policy well beyond its borders.
    
    Meanwhile, the authorities plan to establish a AED 100 billion fund to provide low-cost loans for investors in Dubai's clean energy sector. The statement did not say where the money for this or the other energy initiatives would come from.
    
    Source : Reuters
    
21. voda 3 december 2015 19:37

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    SunEdison confident on healthy returns from NTPC project
    
    Business Standard reported that at a time when SunEdision's bid for NTPC's 500 megawatt (MW) project in Andhra Pradesh, has raised doubts about the viability among industry sources, the US-based renewable major said that this project is markedly different from the past solar tenders in India.
    
    Last month, SunEdison won the project after it bid with an all-time-low unit tariff of INR 4.63 per kWh, beating Japan-based SoftBank Group's quote of INR 4.80 per kWh. SunEdison will set up the plant in an NTPC-developed solar park at Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh.
    
    Many questioned viability of the project as they believe it would be tough for SunEdison to raise finance and implement the project at the tariff it has quoted. They added that in the past too a few projects were quoted so low, but implementation became tough.
    
    Mr Pashupathy Gopalan, who heads SunEdison's Asia Pacific operations said that solar industry has come a long way in the past 6-7 years with rapid fall in prices.
    
    Prices of solar panels that contribute 70 per cent to the cost of solar plants have come down from USD 3-3.5/W in 2008 to 52-55 cents/W in 2015 and the prices are continuously falling.
    
    The NTPC's project is to be built in 2016 second half and will be commissioned by early 2017.
    
    Mr Gopalan said that "The other industry players who bid along with us in the live auction for the project were also not too far away in their final bidding prices, which clearly show that the LCOE for solar has come down making solar at par with grid parity."
    
    He said that the NTPC bid has set a new benchmark for the solar prices in India.
    
    He added that "This project (NTPC's) also has a very credible off-taker, NTPC which has a AAA rating. Investors are sometimes not comfortable with the off-takers of the project i.e. the discoms and hence either shy away from lending to developers or lend at a higher cost of capital."
    
    He further added that with NTPC being a credible off-taker, the company assume that the cost of capital for this project will be lower, thus further lowering the cost of energy.
    
    Source : Business Standard