Renewables penetration unbalanced across sectors, off-grid solar boosts access to electricity – report
According to a tracking report from five international agencies, the world is lagging behind its sustainable development goals for the period 2015-2030, although significant progress has been made in reducing electrification deficit in the least developed countries, and industrial energy efficiency. Off-grid solar solutions, meanwhile, are emerging as one of the key drivers of rural energy access.
SECI announces 3.4 GW of RfS for solar projects
The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has announced a slew of Requests for Selection (RfS) for the installation of various PV projects totaling 3.37 GW across the country.
Bids for bankrupt Moser Baer Solar expected this week
Expressions of interest (EoI) for the assets of bankrupt Moser Baer Solar are likely to be invited this week, resolution professional Arvind Garg announced. The company owes over Rs 1,000 crore (around US$149.8 million) to a number of lenders.
IRENA: Renewables can account for up to two-thirds of total energy use, and 85% of power generation by 2050
In the latest edition of its long-term renewable energy outlook, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) calls for at least six-fold deployment of renewables by 2050, compared to the levels set out in current plans. Investment in low-carbon technologies needs to increase by around 30% to $120 trillion to enable the energy transition and avoid escalating stranded assets, the report finds.
Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE announces 33% efficiency for multi-junction solar cell
Together with Austrian equipment manufacturer EVG, Fraunhofer ISE has achieved an efficiency of 33.3% on a multi-junction solar cell. The highlight of the cell is the ultra-thin II-V semiconductor layer. However, it will be a few years before mass production is possible.
US researchers mull zinc oxide as solar cell manufacturing alternative to titanium dioxide
The group of scientists has identified a new process by which holes get trapped in nanoparticles made of zinc oxide.
Municipal bonds may help India get close to its 40 GW rooftop solar target
Although the development of rooftop solar is not progressing in India as planned by the government, a group of international experts is suggesting to use municipal financing to raise debt availability, and to reduce PV system costs.
Researchers demonstrate feasibility of bio-photovoltaic cells to generate electricity
Using water as the source of electrons, microbial bio-photovoltaic (BPV) cells have the capacity to exploit the ability of cyanobacteria and microalgae to convert light energy into electrical current.
Public sector investment crowding out private investors
Since 2014, around 29 GW of utility scale solar tenders have been issued in India. Most of this capacity (81%, 23.5 GW) has been tendered by NTPC, SECI, DISCOMs and other public sector entities for project development by the private sector. But there is also a sizeable 19% (5.5 GW) tendered in the form of […]
Indian Solar Powered Rail Coaches
The Indian Railways, being one of the largest railway networks in the world, operates around 12,000 trains per day. It is also one of the largest consumers of diesel in the country, with an annual consumption of 2.7 billion liters, which includes traction requirement as well as the use of coach lights, fans, AC, etc. […]
