While Bureau of India Standards (BIS) certification is an honest attempt by the Indian government to mitigate risks associated with poor quality of modules, there are several reasons why this particular objective is currently not being met. pv magazine India’s Uma Gupta investigates India’s efforts to ensure quality in its booming PV industry.

The rooftop solar solutions provider has bagged 11 MW of multiple new orders in Maharashtra and Rajasthan in last one month. These projects are getting executed in Pune, Ratnagiri, Baramati, Washim, Nanded and other cities in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Market-based scheduling will enable flexibility in grids to facilitate renewable energy generation. However, the framework proposed by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) doesn’t indicate any change in the payments mechanism for renewable projects, says the ratings agency.

This 1.2 MWp project would generate more than 80% of power requirements of the Akal University and 13 Akal Academies. It has been built at a total cost of Rs 5.2 crore, out of which the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has provided a total subsidy of around Rs 1.7 crore.

India needs to adopt renewable energy and electric vehicles in a big way to meet the twin goals of energy security and climate protection.

This revived growth comes mainly from markets outside of China, which are forecast to rise by 43% in 2019.  While China will grow marginally by 2%, Europe will add over 7 GW with utility-scale installations in Spain alone contributing 60% of the growth in the region. The USA will overtake India to once again become the second-largest PV market.

Following a petition by National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) stated that the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) cannot curtail renewable power at convenience.

Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL) has invited bids for setting up of 1.7 MW (AC) grid-connected solar PV projects with battery storage in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The projects—to be implemented on turnkey basis in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)—would be awarded through competitive bidding followed by reverse auction.

Tata Power will set up rooftop solar projects for Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) establishments. The two companies will also explore the feasibility of large-scale ‘group captive’ solar power projects for IGL’s own consumption, and commercial-scale charging and/or battery swapping stations for electric vehicles.

Bolivia will provide India with access to its lithium carbonate, and also facilitate joint ventures for lithium battery/cell production plants in India. The partnership will provide a major fillip to India’s ambitious e-mobility plans.