Government issues penalty for violating DCR under MNRE solar projects
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will penalize parties found in violation of the MNRE’s Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) rules for solar projects, which the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has approved for DCR use.
Avaada Power to develop 1.6 GW of solar in Uttar Pradesh
Avaada Power Pvt Ltd has committed US$1.55 billion to develop solar PV projects in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
MNRE deletes DCR clause from 5 GW Phase-II Batch-IV VGF scheme
In response to the domestic content dispute with the U.S., India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has deleted all of the domestic content clauses from the National Solar Mission Phase-II, Batch-IV: 5 GW VGF scheme.
An arm and a leg
Robotics in PV: The momentum of China’s solar growth appears unstoppable, driving the hunger for faster, qualitative automated solutions for the domestic PV manufacturing industry. Thus, most new solar manufacturing facilities or production upgrades are equipped with nearly fully automated lines.
Ecoppia deploys water-free robotic solution to clean 1 GW PV panels in Rajasthan
Ecoppia’s fully automated water-free solar panel cleaning solution is on track to clean over 1 GW of panels in the cutting-edge Bhadla solar park by the end of 2018.
Philips, Orb Energy lighten Barefoot College in Rajasthan
New 116 kW solar off-grid system will power the old Tilonia campus of the Barefoot College – working in various fields, including women empowerment, for the advance of rural communities through solar power.
Rockefeller Foundation, Ckers Finance partner to develop India’s decentralized renewable energy sector
U.S.-based Rockefeller Foundation has partnered with cKers Finance, a New-Delhi based finance company, to help develop the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector in India. cKers will invest $50 million across DRE and sustainable energy portfolio in the near term.
Gujarat: GUVNL tenders 500 MW solar project
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has announced a 500 MW grid-connected solar PV power project to be set up in the state of Gujarat. The project can be extended to 1 GW with an additional 500 MW under the ‘Greenshoe’ option.
The weekend read: Foggy days ahead for Indian solar
India is planning to impose a safeguard duty this year to protect its domestic solar manufacturing sector. Many in the industry earnestly believe that if such duties were to be imposed, then a slowing down in market growth would be inevitable. However, the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) believes this will not be the case. Either way, this duty has created unwanted uncertainty in the market.
US rejects establishment of compliance panel, disagreeing with India’s WTO claim
The United States blocks India’s request for a panel to investigate Indian compliance to solar cells ruling. Thus, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has deferred the establishment of a compliance panel. Moreover, U.S. reserves its right to obtain WTO authorization to take countermeasures against India, but there is desire to find a bilateral resolution.
