New equipment for solar cell metallization
The system can metallize the front and back sides of silicon solar cells with unprecedented precision and speed, Fraunhofer ISE said. The technology is also suitable for components such as printed circuit boards or chip cards.
NHPC, GEDCOL sign MoU to develop 500 MW floating solar in Odisha
The two entities shall form a joint venture to plan and develop an aggregate 500 MW of floating solar capacity in a phased manner, preferably in 50 MW packages, in the state.
Vikram Solar plans 3 GW solar factory in Tamil Nadu
The engineering, procurement and construction services contractor – which has a 1.2 GW module production facility near Kolkata – will establish a wafer, cell and module manufacturing site in Tamil Nadu under a five-year timescale.
Safeguarding duty extension fails to win over manufacturers
The investigating arm of India’s commerce ministry has proposed continuing to apply the duty levied on solar cell imports from the east at a rate of 14.9% from July 30 and falling to 14.5% six months later.
Solar causes highest power peaks under mixed-cloud conditions
Dutch researchers have shown that power peaks caused by solar generation may be stronger under partial cloudiness than clear skies. According to their findings, mixed-cloud conditions can enhance PV power production due to light reflected off clouds, as well as their intermittent shadows on arrays, which reduce module temperatures.
CleanMax installs wind-solar hybrid plant for US food major’s Karnataka facility
The 15 MW wind-solar project—set up in captive mode—will meet close to 70% of Cargill’s Davangere facility’s electricity needs.
The long read: PV + e-mobility = economic development
Mobility in rural Kenya is currently flooded with unsustainable CO2-emitting motorcycles that pose a threat to the environment and public health. But the electric tricycle is an environmentally friendly alternative, and Solar E-cycles – a homegrown Kenyan startup – believes a leasing model could unlock a ton of three-wheeled potential.
ReNew Power plans foray into solar cell and module manufacturing
The Haryana-based developer will invest Rs 1500-2000 crore in setting up the solar cell and module manufacturing facility, which will initially have a production capacity of 2 GW per annum.
SECI opens tender for 1.07 GW grid-connected solar in Rajasthan
Single developers can bid for any quantity from 10 MW up to whole of the tendered capacity (1070 MW). The projects—to be set up on ‘build-own-operate’ basis—can be located anywhere in the State. August 31 is the deadline for bid submission.
Impact of strained India-China relationship on the solar sector
India’s entire solar industry is dependent on Chinese imports to function. Hence, there is a comprehensive need to relook at the current policies and focus on building wafers and ingots capacity that will be used to manufacture the cells and eventually, modules.
