ISA aims to offer solar electricity to 47 million households.

International Solar Alliance (ISA) aims at powering 47 million households with 20 GW solar park. Mr. R. K. Singh, Union Power Minister and the President of ISA announced the launch of eight new innovative initiatives. Some of the important initiatives will help develop technician’s solar PV skills, make solar bankable, developing solar projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Least Developed Countries (LDC). Another key initiative was to initiate a global bid for providing solar electricity to 47 million households by offering solar PV systems. This project is proposed with an action plan of developing 20 GW of solar parks.

MNRE asks Haryana Government to treat every solar installation important

With around 1,050 MW of open access solar installation projects being allocated to the state, the MNRE has asked the government to honor all the allocations made to the solar parks and projects and treat them as sacrosanct. This decision was made after one of the solar providers from the state raised their concern of open access projects being canceled due to constant updates in regulations. These newly imposed conditions lead to considerable losses for developers allowing them to cancel ongoing projects.

The letter of concern states that the hurdles created by the state DISCOMs and lack of support from the government are not only losing the investor’s money but also their confidence to invest in such projects. These lose include costs like land acquisition, infrastructure, and components. The letter further states that with DISCOMS were taking advantage of their position and denying signing for the connection agreement of Long-Term Open Access (LTOAs) to solar power parks and projects allocated by the Haryana VidyutPrasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL).

1. Renewable projects resume from 20^th April

With the lockdown extended till 3^rd May 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed certain operations to be functional to keep the economy running. All renewable energy projects including wind and solar installation have been resumed even with the availability of the workers doubtful. With no public transportation, the Ministry has requested all constructions be resumed with the help of local workers. The Ministry has also stated that all railways and airports will be allowed to ship essential components required to complete the project. Power is an essential service, the government has confirmed that the generation, transmission, and power distribution at the center, and UT/state levels will remain functional.

1. MNRE is encouraging new solar pump technologies under KUSUM

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) have drafted guidelines for the installation of innovative solar pumps. Currently, the MNRE are open towards feedback and suggestions from stakeholders. The last day of submitting all opinions is April 15^th. The draft proposes an expression of interest (EoI) for all solar providers to offer innovative applications that can help the pumps perform better in terms of efficiency, cost, and monitoring.

1. No grid support charges on rooftop solar installations in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has announced that they will drop all grid support charges on rooftop solar installations until Maharashtra achieves its rooftop solar installation target of 2,000 MW. The grid support charges were fees paid to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MESDCL) as infrastructure costs of the grid.

1. Top three leading solar countries collectively add 51GW solar installationin 2019

The leading three solar markets – China, USA, and India have collectively added 51 GW of solar electricity with China contributing 30.1 GW, USA contributing 13.3 GW, and India contributing 7.3 GW. USA claimed that the new additions have helped them achieve 40% of its total generation capacity via solar electricity. They further claim that the numbers are expected to rise to 47% with 20 GW solar installation planned by the end of 2020.  Similarly, India’s 7.3 GW solar installationhas brought the country’s solar capacity total to 35.7 GW of which 88% came from large-scale solar projects and only 12% came from rooftop solar installation.

1. Kerala approved to set up 50 MW rooftop solar installation

Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) gets approval from the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) to install 50 MW rooftop solar PV systems. The move comes after MNRE has issued incentives to DISCOMs for successfully installing more than 18 MW rooftop solar installation. Also, the components of the Phase II program initiated by the MNRE states that DISCOMs will be provided Central Financial Assistance (CFA) on setting more than 4 GW rooftop solar installation.

1. Anantapur plans to install 3 mega solar parks

Three mega solar parks are planned to be set up in three manuals namely Mudigubba, Tadipatri, and Obuladevacheruvu. With 1 MW solar power park under construction, the district collector has claimed that they are actively seeking to identify potential non-agricultural land to set up solar power parks that could generate a total of 9 MW of solar electricity.

The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs. 50,000 crore and an estimated 58,328 acres of land will be required to shape this project. The breakdown of the projects is

• 9,559 acre in Mudigubbafor 1,911 MW solar power plant.
• 2,589 acre in Tadipatri for 518 MW solar power plant.
• 46,180 acre among 13 villages in Nallamada Mandal for 5,000 MW solar power plants.
• 9236 MW power will be produced by private players among three special economic zones.

Till now, 2000 acre non-agricultural land has been identified in Chilamattur, Lepakshi, and Penukondamandals.

New Rundown, New Solar Energy Information!!
TSRTC saves big on 5MW solar installation.
Looking to cut down on electricity costs, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) made the switch to renewables by installing approximately 5 MW of solar PV systems. The TSRTC has estimated to save around 3.9 Cr per annum since making the switch.
Upon installing solar, the officials have stated to pay Rs. 4.80 per kWh of consumption which has made the difference. According to TSRTC, they have set up 95 depots with rooftop solar installation on top of bus depots like Mahatma Gandhi, Jubilee, Kukatpally, Kacheguda and many more. The 5MW solar pv system is estimated to generate around 65 lakh to 75 lakh kWh per annum.