Off-grid solar

The choice between distributed and utility-scale solar often comes down to balancing these benefits based on the specific context, goals, and constraints of a project or region. In the Indian context, a balanced approach that leverages the strengths of both models is essential.

India’s 2024-25 budget reflects a strategic and holistic approach to the energy sector, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and energy security. By promoting pumped storage, advancing nuclear technology, transitioning to emission targets, and supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency, the budget lays a strong foundation for a sustainable and resilient energy future

India installed about 9.6 GW of utility-scale solar, 1.8 GW rooftop, and 688 MW off-grid capacity in the Jan.-June period of 2024, says a new report by JMK Research.

Shakti Pumps (India) has secured the contract to supply, install and commission 12,537 solar water pumps across Uttar Pradesh under Component-B of PM-KUSUM scheme (Phase-III).

JMK Research projects 21.2 GW of new solar capacity addition in FY 2025. This will comprise 16.5 GW of utility-scale, 4 GW rooftop, and 700 MW off-grid installations.

Scientists in Czechia have conducted a techno-economic analysis of a green hydrogen production system powered exclusively by photovoltaic and wind energy. The system uses surplus energy for water treatment and, according to its creator, can achieve a levelized cost of hydrogen of $3.12/kg.

The Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) says total investment in the off-grid solar sector stood at $425 million in 2023, down 43% year on year. It says the industry needs to address a lack of early-stage financing to meet development and climate targets.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the government of Uganda recently discussed accelerating the solar mini-grid project to address Uganda’s energy access challenge and advancing the solar water pumping project under the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) Fund. New areas of cooperation, such as establishing a Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (STAR-C), were also explored.

The Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) has partnered with India’s WindStream Energy Technologies to deploy hybrid wind-solar RE solutions in remote, off-grid areas of the Philippines.

India’s ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vowed continued focus on renewables, energy storage and electric mobility with a view to achieving energy independence for the nation by 2047.