The Rs 1,750-crore project—under the second phase of Central Public Sector Undertaking scheme—is to be developed using domestically manufactured solar cells and modules.

Central Electronics limited—India’s first silicon PV manufacturer—is looking to utilize its expertise and technical competency to ramp up the production of ICU ventilators in the country’s fight against Covid-19 pandemic. The public sector unit has invited global bids from ventilator manufacturers to select partners for production.

The EPC provider has won an aggregate 13.2 MWp solar capacity from State-owned Central Electronics Limited, in addition to projects from Gas Authority of India Limited, Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Reserve Bank of India.

The rooftop solar sector will see reduced installation activity even after lifting of the lockdown as consumers continue to deal with financial constraints. Small-size developers may also lack the financial strength to meet additional working requirements.

The financial lender will now oversee the implementation of the second phase of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme which provides viability gap funding (VGF) support for state-run generators to set up 12 GW of solar projects using domestically-made equipment by FY 2022-23.

The developer reached out to the families in need by providing them ration as the situation worsened for the local community in the vicinity of a 75 MWp Open Access solar park owned by it in Uttar Pradesh.

Given the close links between energy and economy, an impact analysis is needed to evaluate the sector and initiate suitable measures against unusual circumstances. Government policy thinktank NITI Aayog is working on a roadmap to improve energy data management system for India. The centralized energy data unit will host all demand and consumption data related to all forms of energy, which can be used by researchers, policymakers and business strategy formulators alike.

The interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected projects—to be developed on build-own-operate basis in the Koppal Solar Park—shall be awarded through international competitive bidding followed by reverse auction. Bids can be submitted till May 29.

In an interview with pv magazine, U-Solar Clean Energy founder and CEO K.R. Harinarayan shares the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on their solar EPC projects and how they are utilizing this time productively.

Larsen & Toubro has secured EPC orders totaling 500 MW grid-connected solar capacity, in addition to significant contracts in India and overseas for power transmission and distribution.