175,000 households of Manipur will receive 24×7 electricity supply. The scheme is scheduled to be completed by March 2019. The electricity will be produced through various sources – including renewable resources like solar micro and mini-grid applications. However, BNEF says that the 24×7 energy supply seems far away.

India’s rooftop PV ambitions present a US$23 billion investment opportunity, says Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). However, despite the sub-sector being the fastest growing, its 40 GW targets are “unachievable”.

“Huge demand” will be created in the Indian solar market in 2018 on the back of the government’s plans to auction off 20 GW worth of projects, says IHS Markit. Companies will only be permitted to take part in the auctions, it says, if they set up manufacturing facilites in the country. Jobs will also be created.

MNRE minister Raj Kumar Singh has announced plans to ramp up India’s domestic renewable energy manufacturing industry via an auction for facilities totaling 20 GW. Bridge to India and IHS Markit have shared their insights on the auctions, which are expected to solely comprise solar. They envisage capital subsidies, and increased interest by foreign manufacturers in setting up solar facilities.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India has signed power purchase agreements for the five solar projects totaling 750 MW. At auction, the Bhadla projects attracted the country’s lowest bids at INR 2.44 ($0.037)/kWh.

SECI has postponed the uploading of a tender document for 14 MW worth of grid-connected solar plants, including 42 MWh battery storage systems, for the Leh and Kargil districts of J&K.

The Indian government has finally clearly stated its solar objectives, and unveiled its plans for speeding up the work required to achieve them. The government is confident of achieving its 100 GW solar goal by 2022. The issue of rooftop solar is still to be addressed, however.

Eric Daniel, Head of India at QOS Energy, speaks to pv magazine about his views on the Indian market, specifically how a fully digitalized solar O&M and asset management helps enhance asset profitability.

The anti-dumping hearing was scheduled to be held on November 30. It has, however, been postponed to December 12, 2017. The India Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) still expects a result in its favor.

IESA and IEEMA have together organized a masterclass to develop advanced energy storage manufacturing in India. The event has also witnessed increased government support for the sector as energy storage opportunities in India are expected to attract investment of more than $3 billion in the next three years.