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2017 was a busy year for India’s solar industry. As of the end of November, the country had installed around 5.5 GW of PV. With its ambitious renewable energy goals, it is paving the way to becoming a world leader in the industry. Overall, the country saw a rapid increase in renewable energy activity, with solar dominating almost 48% share of total capacity installed.

All India Solar Industries Association (AISIA) has urged the government to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the balance of systems for solar equipment. The association said that components like inverters, cables and transformers under GST are charged at 5-8%. Previously, they were charged 2% central sales tax and no excise duty.

MNRE head RK Singh delivers a lowdown on India’s current solar installations, recent policies that the government has initiated, and the customs issues with imported solar modules.

A structured credit deal has been struck between Centrum-led investors and Waaree Energies Ltd, an Indian solar power firm.

Reuters reports that the United States is once again planning to take India back to a WTO ruling regarding an ongoing solar power dispute. Last year India lost the case against the U.S., which had alleged discriminatory practices in favor of domestic firms and against foreign competitors.

MNRE head, RK Singh says 15,183 Indian villages have been electrified, out of 18,452, as of November 30. Free electricity connections have also been granted to 44.41 lakh below poverty line (BPL) households under the government’s rural electrification scheme.

Moody’s Investor Services and its Indian affiliate, ICRA Limited have announced that India’s power sector will see stability over the next 12 to 18 months, reflecting the government’s policy initiatives and established industry.

Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy has finalized the resolution for several future roadmaps designed to reform the power sector and ensure 24×7 power for all with other states and union territories.

This week’s Intersolar India 2017 in Mumbai, which ran from Tuesday to Thursday at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), highlighted both the potential and the challenges of India’s vast residential PV market. Everything from policy to unique environmental challenges and installation processes was discussed.

The conclave happened the day after ISA became a recognized legal intergovernmental body based in India. The event observed some intense discussions on the ISA’s ambitious programs. The main topic was the finance, where ISA aims to ease the process, with CEEW supporting via common risk mitigation study.