EQ Int'l March-April 2015 Edition by EQ Int'l Solar Media Group

Volume # 7 | Issue # 3 | March-April 2015 |

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CONFIRMED SPEAKERS - 1ST EQCFS MUMBAI- DEC 03-04 2014

Sindoor Mittal, Director, Welspun

Tarun Kapoor, Jt Secy, MNRE

K Vijayanad, MD, APGENCO

Sunita Lukkhoo, Country Manager, South Asia, EIB

Pashupathy Gopalan, MD - South Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa, Sun Edison

Ajay Kumar Kapur, Chief General Manager, Head Sustainable Finance, SIDBI

Sanjay Ghag IL&FS

Rajendra Nimje, MD, SECI

Gaetan Tiberghien, Senior Investment Officer, IFC

Naveen Khandelwal, Ketan Shaah, Head - Investments, Head - I Banking, Hero Future Energies Daiwa Capital Markets

Dr Ashok Haldia, Director, PFS

Vivek Mehra, MD, Aloe Group

Ardeshir Contractor, Rajnesh Trivedi, MD & CEO, Senior Director, Kiran Energy Solar Power Yes Bank Pvt Ltd

Sudhir Nunes, CEO, Orange Renewable

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW

Anurag Garg Vice President â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Solar Business, Schneider Electric

K S Popli, CMD, IREDA

E V Narasimha Reddy, ED, TSIIC

Samir Shah, Director, Waaree

Alipt Sharma, Principal, GEF Advisors

Rajsekhar Budhavarapu, CTO - Renewable Investments, IL&FS

Suresh Sugavanam, MD, UL India & South Asia

Ravi Khanna, Andreas Thermann, CEO, Aditya Birla Deputy Director, Group - Solar Business KFW

Sujoy Ghosh, Country Head, First Solar India

Bengt Jaeckel, Expert on Solar Projects, Germany, UL

Sunil Gupta, Gaurav Sood, Senior Development MD, Solaire Direct Consultant - Renewables, Sembcorp Industries

Ajay Gupta, Head Infrastructure Finance, I-Banking Division, HDFC

Sailesh Prasad, Sanjay Chakrabarti, Rupa Pandit, AGM, MD, Partner & Cleantech EXIM Bank of India Nereus Capital Sector Leader, E&Y

Vikash Bagla, VP, Macquarie Capital India

Ashwini Kumar, Head - Credit, Tata Cleantech Capital

Pranav Bhuta, PrinRajat Misra, Simon Petrie, cipal - Investments, VP - Project Advisory & First Secretary - Low Guggenheim Global Structured Finance, Carbon Growth, Infrastructure Co. SBI Caps British High Commission India

Sachin Jain, Associate Director, KPMG

Girish Nadkarni, Partner, IDFC PE

Rahul Goswami, MD, Greenstone

Prashant Sinha, Head - Energy, L&T Infra Finance

Ravi Seth, CFO, ReNew Power Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

Pankaj Sehgal, MD, Sun Group

Abhay Anand, Hemant Vora, Bharat Bhushan, Vibhor Dhanuka, Tarun Sharma, Head - I Banking; Director - Corp Finance, Lead Analyst Investment Manager, Director, Grant Thornton Executive VP, Solar & RECs - India, Infuse Ventures NEA ICICI Securities BNEF

Shahzaad Dalal, Chairman & CEO, IL&FS Investment Managers Ltd

Nirupama Guruprasad, Joint General Manager, ICICI Bank

Anjan Ghosh Tata Inernational

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Rockefeller Foundation 22 The Rockefeller Foundation Launches ‘Smart Power For Rural Development’ Initiative

SOLAR PV MANUFACTURING

Editor & CEO:

Vikram Solar 21 Vikram Solar Launches Three Collaborations With Leading European Institutes And Suppliers

SOLAR PV MANUFACTURING

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SOLAR ENERGY

CONTENTS SOLAR ENERGY

VOLUME 7 Issue # 3

PUBLISHER:

ANAND GUPTA

PRINTER:

ANAND GUPTA

TRENDS & ANALYSIS

SAUMYA BANSAL GUPTA saumya.gupta@EQmag.net ARPITA GUPTA arpita.gupta@EQmag.net

PUBLISHING COMPANY DIRECTORS: ANIL GUPTA

ANITA GUPTA

Consulting Editor: SURENDRA BAJPAI

Editorial Contributions:

Li Xiande , Dr. Rajeev Goel , Sankalp Ved , K. S. Jayaraman , Shivakumar Kinni , Ajay jain , Siddartha Ramakanth Keshavadasu , Milind Arbatti

Dr. Rajeev Goel 30 Test Standards for Solar EVA encapsulation sheets

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GOURAV GARG gourav.garg@EQmag.net

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PRINT PACK PVT. LTD. 10, PRESS COMPLEX A.B. ROAD, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) Disclaimer,Limitations of Liability While every efforts has been made to ensure the high quality and accuracy of EQ international and all our authors research articles with the greatest of care and attention ,we make no warranty concerning its content,and the magazine is provided on an>> as is <<basis.EQ international contains advertising and third –party contents.EQ International is not liable for any third- party content or error,omission or inaccuracy in any advertising material ,nor is it responsible for the availability of external web sites or their contents The data and information presented in this magazine is provided for informational purpose only.neither EQ INTERNATINAL ,Its affiliates,Information providers nor content providers shall have any liability for investment decisions based up on or the results obtained from the information provided. Nothing contained in this magazine should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sale any securities. The facts and opinions stated in this magazine do not constitute an offer on the part of EQ International for the sale or purchase of any securities, nor any such offer intended or implied Restriction on use The material in this magazine is protected by international copyright and trademark laws. You may not modify,copy,reproduce,republish,post,transmit,or distribute any part of the magazine in any way.you may only use material for your personall,Non-Commercial use, provided you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices.If you want to use material for any non-personel,non commercial purpose,you need written permission from EQ International.

Cover JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is a global leader in the solar industry. The Company distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, US, Japan, Germany, UK, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, UAE, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, etc. JinkoSolar has built a vertical-integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 2.5 GW for silicon ingots and wafers, 2.0 GW for solar cells, and 3.2 GW for solar modules, by December 31, 2014. JinkoSolar has also connected around 500MW of solar projects to the grid, by December 31, 2014 JinkoSolar has over 13,000 employees and over 200 dedicated R&D professionals covering 11 global branches in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Japan, India, South Africa and Chile; 12 sales offices in China, Spain, UK, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico; and five production facilities in China, Portugal, South Africa, and Malaysia.

DuPont-PhotovoltaicSolutions 32 Mitigating Strategies For Hot Spots In Crystalline Silicon Solar Panels

Manipal University & Tata

Li Xiande

26 Accelerating Solar Innovation Through Industry-Academia Partnership

36 Renewable Energy: Are SMEs Missing the Bus?

EQ BUSINESS & FINANCIAL NEWS 6-20

SOLAR ENERGY 29 Indian Farmers Could Grow Power, Not Just Crops

RENEWABLE ENERGY 38 Winners Curse ? 39 Electricity Loss, Consumption And Concerns

POLICY & REGULATIONS 48 Development Of Solar Power In Andhra Pradesh – Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Policy, 2015..... 52 The Wind Power Policy, 2015 56 Regulations For Net Metering And Grid Connectivity Of Grid

RenXSol Ecotech 28 RenXSol Installs 400 KW Roof Top Solar Power Plant at KSCA’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium....

SOLAR OFF GRID

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Sankalp Ved

Power Solar

SOLAR PV INVERTERS

24 Jinko Solar Becomes The World’s Third Largest Solar Panel Maker

SOLAR ENERGY

INTERVIEW

CONTENTS

TBEA Xi’an Electric Technology 44 Advancement And Innovation, Green Energy Pioneer-TBEA Inverter In India

Connected Rooftop & Small Solar Photovoltaic Systems. 62 Draft Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Net Metering for Rooftop Solar Systems) Regulations, 2015 64 Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Renewable Purchase Obligation and its compliance) (Amendment-1) Regulations, 2015. 65 Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission : Extension of Control Period of Tariff Order No.7 of 2014 on Solar Power. 68 Uttar Pradesh Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive System Gross / Net Metering) Regulations, 2015 72 Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems based on Net Metering) Regulations, 2015.

Milind Arbatti 46 From Sun to Drinking Water: Solar Drinking Water Pumps Success Story

PRODUCTS REPORT 75-80

& EQBusiness Financial SECI To Set Up 100 MW Solar PV Projects In The State Of Kerala On Behalf Of THDCIL & IREDA

MEETING was taken by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala with KSEB, SECI and IREDA & THDCL on 7th April, 2015 to finalise the modalities for development of Solar Power Projects in the State of Kerala including transfer of land for the solar PARK. The meeting was attended by Mr. M. Sivasankar,

Secretary (Power) & CMD (KSEB), Dr. Ashvini Kumar, MD (SECI), Shri D.V. Singh, Director (Technical), THDCIL & Shri B.V. Rao, Director (Technical), IREDA and Shri Remesh Kumar K., General Manager (SECI). A tripartite Arrangement has been signed among KSEB, THDCIL and SECI to set up 50 MW project

in Kasaragod District of Kerala on 31st March, 2015. A tripartite Arrangement has also been signed among KSEB, IREDA & SECI on the same day for setting up of 50 MW Solar PV project in Kasaragod District in the State of Kerala. SECI has been designated as implementation agency for setting up of a 200 MW Solar

Park in Kasaragod District of Kerala, UNDER MNRE Solar Park scheme. Both the projects of THDCIL & IREDA shall be set up in the Kasaragod Solar Park. Apart from the above mentioned 100 MW, MNRE has proposed another 100 MW to be set up in the Kasaragod Solar Park under proposed 2000 MW VGF Scheme of Govt. of India.

IFC Launches 16 Billion Indian Rupee Masala Bond, Reaching 99 Billion Rupee in Offshore Issuances

FC, a member of t h e Wo rl d B a n k Group, issued Masala bonds worth 16 billion Indian rupees, or approximately $250 million, attracting first time INVESTORS from Europe to the offshore rupee markets. The three - and - ahalf year bonds mark the first issuance at this tenor in the offshore rupee markets. They build on previous IFC Masala bond issuances of three, five,

seven and ten-year maturities, adding further depth to the offshore rupee yield curve for triple-A issuers. The bonds yield 6.45%. “This is a historic time for India’s capital markets, and we anticipate even greater momentum following the Reserve Bank of India’s approval for Indian corporates to issue Masala debt,” said IFC Vice President and Treasurer Jingdong Hua. “Just today

Indian Railways FINANCE Corporation said it plans to raise $1 billion in the offshore rupee markets. IFC stands ready to support first-time Masala bond issuers.” In response to strong INVESTOR demand, IFC increased the bond from 10 billion rupees to 16 billion rupees. The overwhelming majority of investors are asset managers in Europe and North America. The bond brings

IFC’s overall Masala bond issuances to 99 billion rupees, or approximately $1.6 billion dollars. IFC has also issued in the onshore rupee markets, raising 6 billion rupees in Maharaja bonds. The IFC Masala bonds are listed on the London STOCK EXCHANGE. Proceeds of the bonds will support private sector investment in India.

IFC, PTC India Financial Services Ltd. Collaborate to Boost Financing for Renewable Energy Projects

FC, a member of the World Bank Group, and PTC India Financial Services Ltd. (PFS) will partner to provide much - needed infrastructure FINANCING for renewable energy projects in India. These INVESTMENTS will, in turn, help boost growth and create jobs. PFS becomes the first institution in India, and the twenty-sixth globally, to sign IFC’s master cooperation agreement. This collaboration will help standardize steps that lenders take when co 6

March-April 2015

FINANCING projects with IFC. The ultimate aim is to make local currency FINANCING available in shorter time-frames and reduce FINANCING costs for borrowers, enabling them to operationalize projects faster. “This partnership will deepen our cooperation with IFC and other development financiers in areas such as renewable energy,” said R.M. Malla, Managing Director and CEO, PFS. “In addition to reducing costs, our clients will also have access to global best practices including IFC’s environmental

and social guidelines.” IFC’s master cooperation agreement was created in 2009 in response to calls for finance institutions to collaborate more closely to help meet shortfalls in private sector financing during the global financial crisis. “IFC and PFS can work more efficiently with Indian companies to spur private sector development by providing long-term risk capital where it is needed most,” said Hyun-Chan Cho, IFC’s Head of Infrastructure and Natural

Resources – Asia Pacific. “With this partnership, we can respond more swiftly to private sector financing needs, and boost job creation.” Since the master cooperation agreement was created, signatories have coinvested more than $3 billion with IFC to support private sector development across the world. This partnership will spur private sector INVESTMENTS in India’s renewable energy sector.

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& EQBusiness Financial Clean’ Renewable Energy Alliance Launched To Expand Energy Access To 300 Million People In India

uilding on pioneering efforts by clean energy practitioners to expand access to affordable and reliable energy solutions for India’s “last mile” – which includes over 300 million PEOPLE who have not been reached by the national grid and do not have access to electricity – a broad alliance formed by 12 key stakeholders in the decentralized energy access sector in India today announced the launch of the Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN) in New Delhi. Of the 1.2 billion people without access to electricity globally, one-third are in India. Another 800 million people in India don’t have access to modern cooking solutions. Through the collective experience and innovation of its alliance members, CLEAN will work to expand access to affordable and reliable energy services by systematically ADDRESSING the barriers that the decentralized clean energy sector in India currently FACES, supporting the global vision of the United Nations-led Sustainable Energy For All initiative to achieve universal access to modern energy by 2030. This initiative aims to achieve three interlinked objectives by 2030: “We believe that the Clean Energy Access Network is a critical effort to support India’s

decentralized clean energy sector in delivering the benefits of sustainable development to some 300 million people across India, in support of the UN’s global energy access goals. The Network’s activities will help to accelerate the delivery of modern energy services and support improvements in health care, education and economic empowerment that come with access to clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions,” said Richenda Van Leeuwen, Executive Director, Energy Access, United Nations Foundation. The UN Foundation’s Energy Access Practitioner Network, along with 11 other organizations, is a founding partner of CLEAN. As an influential body for the decentralized clean energy sector in India, CLEAN will represent and advocate on behalf of the sector to important public and private stakeholders, particularly the government at the central and state levels. Among the highlights of its launch activities on April 8 is a dialogue with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in New Delhi on FINANCE and policy issues surrounding renewable energy for off-grid household and community electrification. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the central government body responsible

for renewable energy in India. The Secretary of the MNRE, Mr Upendra Tripathy, will grace the official launch of CLEAN where he will talk about his ideas for the off-grid renewable energy sector and take the audience through some major initiatives and experiences of MNRE. Eminent practitioners working in the space of off-grid biomass and solar energy will discuss broad sectoral issues and challenges related to policy-making and access to finance; two strategy reports commissioned by CLEAN to outline the roadmap for these issues will also be launched. CLEAN aims to address four challenges that are specific to the decentralized clean energy sector in India at present – issues around the policy and regulatory environment, limited financial access for both end USERS and enterprises, dearth of skilled capacity across various levels of competence, and technology standardization for clean energy products and services. CLEAN will provide the FOLLOWING core services to social enterprises and other organizations in the decentralized clean energy sector in India: CLEAN will expand its membership to represent a wide spectrum of social enterprises across a range of technologies

and scales of operation – from those specializing in the sale of household renewable energy systems to enterprises that focus on the installation of communitylevel mini-grids. The founding signatories to the network are: 1.Ashden India Collective 2.Council on Energy, Environment and Water 3.GIZ India 4.Indian Renewable Energy Federation 5.SELCO Foundation 6.Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation 7.Small Scale Sustainable Infrastructure Development Fund 8.The Climate Group 9.The Energy and Resources Institute 10.The Nand and Jeet Khemka Foundation 11.United Nations Foundation Energy Access Practitioner Network 12.World Wide Fund for Nature - India

Essel Group Signs Pact With German Firms

he Essel Group recently announced entering into technology transfer pacts with three leading German firms.The 8

March-April 2015

tie-ups will boost the GROUP’S solar, wind energy and waste WATER management projects in India, Essel Group said in a statement.A Memorandum of

UNDERSTANDING (MoU) for transfer of critical technology in wind and solar energy was signed by the Essel at Hannover Messe 2015 with FeCon, a

subsidiary company of Wind and Sun Technology. Source:PTI

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& EQBusiness Financial Welspun Renewables Signs 550 MW MoU With IPLON At Hannover Messe, Germany

e l s p u n Renewables and iPLON recently announced the signing of a 550 MW MoU. The Independent Power Producer (IPP) has chosen iPLON GmbH, a firm based in Schwaebisch Hall Germany, for supply, installation and commissioning of Solar PV power PLANT automation systems for its upcoming projects in India. The Partnership is an endorsement of the working relations shared by iPLON and Welspun Renewables during the last 2 years, During this period iPLON has dedicatedly worked to support Welspun Renewables in its vision of being the best Solar Project DEVELOPER in India. iPLON will OFFER its power plant automation system,

plant analysis tools, telemetry systems and central monitoring systems required by Welspun Renewables to manage their large portfolio of projects. Vineet Mittal, Vice Chairman Welspun Ren ewa bles c omm en t e d, “Welspun Renewables carries the responsibility of bringing about low-carbon transition in the energy sector. We are taking concrete actions in solving India’s energyrelated issues – energy security and climate change. By steadily building country’s largest solar capacities we are proving that green energy is doable and can be made affordable through rapid expansion. Towards this goal we have chosen to partner with Tier 1 technology partners,

as this helps us in achieving high level quality benchmarks at our project site. Our partnership with iPLON will help us in delivering optimum plant performance day in day out.” iPLON’s CEO Victor Thamburaj said “It is a pleasure to work with Welspun Renewables in expanding India’s clean energy security agenda. Through this venture we are making our first investment in India with our operations spreading across Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. We are effectively creating employment opportunities and skill sets in the domain of India’s renewable energy. It’s a proud moment for us to be able to contribute to Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.”

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Hannover Messe, one of the largest engineering exhibitions held annually in Germany. This year’s Hannover Messe 2015 was jointly inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and Dr. Angela Merkel, Hon’ble Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Welspun Renewables’ supply agreement follows a recent spate of Power Purchase Agreements that the company has signed with multiple state governments. The company targets commissioning over 1 GW of solar and wind capacity WITHIN fiscal 2015. Welspun Renewables is present across nearly all states in India.

Esri And Safe Software Release Common Framework For Data Exchange Among Electrical Power Utilities

sri and Safe Software have p aired to develop and openly share a Common Information Model (CIM) template for data exchange. The template demonstrates one approach to translating network data from an Esri ArcGIS database into CIM XML format. The XML can then be shared with other enterprise systems.”The power behind a CIM is to provide a common language to share messaging among an electric utility’s information systems,” said Bill Meehan, Esri director of utility solutions. The CIM comes in the wake of power industry deregulation

March-April 2015

and smart grid emergence. Utilities now share core network data more frequently than ever, and a CIM facilitates this. With a common format, a utility can share information internally across its enterprise systems, externally with other utilities, and externally with organizations such as regulators and independent system and regional transmission operators.A CIM is based on the International Electrotechnical Technical Commission (IEC) family of standards, IEC 61970. The Esri-Safe Software model also promotes faster decision making internally when data can be moved quickly from geographic information system

(GIS) technology—the system of record for network data at many utilities—to destination enterprise systems, such as DMS, AMI, SCADA, OMS, and WMS. Users can download the template and test CIM XML data structures with their own data or a sample dataset that Esri and Safe Software provide.”With this template, we are providing another way for electric utilities to leverage their INVESTMENT in Esri technology,” Meehan said.The template works off of Esri’s ArcGIS (version 10.1 service pack 1 [SP1] or higher) and Safe Software’s FME software

(version 2013 or higher). The sample template consists of an FME workspace, an ArcGIS Data Interoperability extract, transform, and load (ETL) tool, and a sample dataset to guide users through testing how the translation process works. All the tools are provided as open source so users can adapt them to their needs.”Utilities can use the template as a starting point for understanding how to translate data from an Esri database to the CIM XML structure to share with other enterprise systems,” Meehan said.After exploring the sample dataset, users can also work to configure the template to work with their own network data.

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& EQBusiness Financial NTPC Signs PPA with AP Power Utilites for Ultra Mega Solar Power Project (250 MWp) in Andhra Pradesh

TPC Limited and the Andhra Pradesh power utilities Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) and Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) signed a power purchase agreement(PPA) for procurement of power to be generated from the 250 MW solar power plant, the first phase of the 1,000 mw ultra solar power project being set up by NTPC in Anatapur District in Andhra Pradesh. The PPA was signed in the presence of Shri I. J Kapoor, Director (Commercial), NTPC, Shri Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy, Govt. of AP, Shri Vijayanand, CMD, APTR ANSCO, Shri R.Venkateswaran, RED(South) today in Hyderabad. The tariff on levellised basis for energy supplied from this solar plant has been fixed at Rs 6.16 per unit for a period twenty five years. The power generation

cost may further come down with regard to the remaining 750 mw capacity as that portion of the project would be undertaken

plans to install 3000 MW of solar PV capacity during the financial year as compared to the existing installed capacity

power utility with an installed capacity of 44,598 MW. It is having its presence in thermal (coal & gas) solar and hydro power. NTPC has already installed 110 MW solar based capacity . NTPC is committed to set up 10,000 MW of solar power capacity. By 2032 NTPC plans to be a 1,28,000 MW Company and targets to have 28% of its installed capacity from non-fossil sources.

Caption :

through global bidding process unlike in the first phase where only the domestic venders were involved, according to I J Kapoor, Director(Commercial) of NTPC. Shri I J. Kapoor informed that the EPC contract for Phase-I 250MWp (5 x 50 MWp indigenous modules ) will be awarded shortly. The land required for the first phase project was already made available to the company by the state government. It is expected to come on stream in 12 months. The Company

of 110 mw under solar sector, Mr Kapoor said. In September last year NTPC had signed an MoU with AP government for the development of 1,000 mw solar project, which is largest solar power project at a single location by a single developer, in the state. A total of 5,400 acres of land has been identified for the project, most of which has already been acquired, according to the government officials. NTPC is India’s largest

NTPC Limited and the Andhra Pradesh power utilities Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) and Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) signed a power purchase agreement(PPA) for procurement of power to be generated from the 250 MW solar power plant. Seen in the Pic Shri IJ Kapoor, Director (Commercial), NTPC, Shri Ajay Jian, Secy, Energy, Govt. of AP, Shri Vijayanand, CMD, APTR ANSCO, Shri R.Venkateswaran, RED(South).

KfW Promotes Climate Protection With Purchase Of Green Bonds – Planned Portfolio In The Amount Of EUR 1 Billion

n the future, KfW is to

supported by the Federal Min-

energies, waste management,

ing focus of ours, and we have

promote environmental

istry for the Environment, Na-

(waste) water management,

gained expertise and a high de-

and climate protection

ture Conservation, Building and

biodiversity and non-polluting

gree of credibility in this field.

by purchasing green bonds. It

Nuclear Safety (BMUB). Federal

transport systems”.

We regard climate protection as

is introducing a EUR 1 billion

Environment Minister Barbara

green bond portfolio to expand

Hendricks explains: “By pur-

By implementing a green

lenges of our time. The green

its promotional activities for cli-

chasing green bonds, KfW will

bond portfolio KfW consis-

bond market is an alternative

mate protection with a capital

help finance suitable climate and

tently expands its sustainability

capital market-based source of

market instrument. Portfolio

environmental protection proj-

strategy on the capital markets.

financing for environmental and

investments are scheduled to

ects, for instance in the fields of

“Sustainability on the capital

climate protection measures that

start in Q2 2015.The project is

resource efficiency, renewable

markets has been a long-stand-

calls for expansion. The green

March-April 2015

one of the most significant chal-

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& EQBusiness Financial bond portfolio is our way of

quirements for the quality of

development of the market, the

PRI (Principles for Responsible

making another contribution

green bonds that are worthy of

minimum requirements will be

Investment) since 2006 and has

to environmental and climate

promotion. In particular, qual-

gradually raised to meet even

been applying ESG criteria (En-

protection, in addition to our

ity requirements regarding the

higher quality standards.

vironment, Social, Governance)

credit activities and our own

transparency of projects to be

green bond issues”, explains Dr

financed and the use of funds

KfW also plans to support

since 2008. In July 2014, KfW

Günther Bräunig, member of the

are essential to ensure that

the development and establish-

issued its first “Green Bonds -

Executive Board of KfW Group

appropriate climate and envi-

ment of sophisticated green

Made by KfW”, simultaneously

in charge of capital markets.

ronmental protection projects

bond market standards by way

setting high standards regarding

in managing its liquidity portfolio

are supported with the funds to

of market initiatives and by seek-

transparency and reporting that

In addition, by getting in-

be raised via the “green bond”

ing direct discussions with third

have been recognised by market

volved as an investor, KfW in-

instrument. In the long run, de-

parties.In recent years, KfW

participants and have received

tends to promote the quality-

tailed and regular reports on the

has not only become one of the

several awards.

based development of the green

financed projects as well as the

largest financers of climate and

bonds market, which is still in

involvement of external experts

environmental protection world-

its infancy but posting dynamic

and the publication of their opin-

wide; it is also paving the way

growth rates. Therefore, KfW

ions are set to strengthen market

for responsibility and sustain-

and the Ministry (BMUB) have

participants’ trust in this market

ability on the capital markets.

jointly defined minimum re-

segment. Along with the further

KfW has been a member of UN-

2000 Acres Identified For Solar Power Plants In Haryana

aryana government recently said it has identified about 2,000

acres of panchayat land in the state having potential of installation of solar power plants

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of 200 Mw capacity.A feasibility study is also being carried out for the installation of solar power

plants on canal tops and canal banks.

March-April 2015

& EQBusiness Financial Wuxi Suntech & Taiwan Carbon Nanotube Technology Developed World’s First Carbon Nanotube Photovoltaic Module Frame

uxi Suntech Power Co. Ltd. announced recently that in partnership with Taiwan Carbon Nanotube Technology Corporation (TCNT), it has successfully developed the world’s first low-cost and highly reliable carbon nanotube photovoltaic module frame. Suntech and TCNT have partnered together, merging Suntech’s high-quality and highefficient photovoltaic modules with TCNT’s high-strength carbon nanotubes to deliver a new high-end, cost-saving technology to the solar industry. The c arbon nanotube photovoltaic module frame, co-developed by Suntech and TCNT using high-strength carbon and glass fiber composite materials weighs half that of the traditionally-used aluminum module frames. In addition, the new module frame possesses unique properties, such as flexural strength measuring 339MPa. The integrated plastic components provide the carbon nanotube photovoltaic module frame with the ability

to resist corrosion and eliminate potential induced degradation (PID) problems, which has long been a challenge for photovoltaic power plants. The carbon nanotube photovoltaic module frame not only delivers a great cost-saving advantage over the traditionally-used aluminum module frames, but its non-reflective black module frame provides a wider scope of use and a distinct advantage un d er ex trem e weat h er conditions. The modules have already passed numerous testing criteria including the IEC61215 standard testing, IEC61701 salt mist corrosion testing, and a high-strength mechanical load test up to 5400Pa at minus 40 degrees Celsius. Mr. Xiong Haibo, President of Wuxi Suntech said, “together with TCNT, we have successfully developed a new type of carbon nanotube photovoltaic module frame - - a revolutionary innovation from traditional metal frame modules. The research and development of these modules required us to overcome significant technical

challenges, but through the integrated partnership of the two teams, we developed this breakthrough product. We are very pleased to be able to provide customers lightweight, cost-effective photovoltaic modules with greater reliability and no PID problems, once again fully reflecting Wuxi Suntech’s competitiveness in core innovation as well as MARKET demand-oriented business strategy. “ Mr. Eric Luo, CEO of Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited (SFCE), the parent company of Suntech said, “I am proud to celebrate this major accomplishment between Suntech and TCNT, introducing a new and more efficient photovoltaic module frame. Suntech remains a global leader in the solar industry and this new product demonstrates how we continue to develop new technologies that help us maintain that position. SFCE is committed to expanding its solar product lines as part of its service offerings to deliver low-carbon energy generation,

transmission, distribution, sale, and smart application. SFCE has diversified its business through the acquisition and integration of major global clean energy brands, expanding and integrating its solar, wind, ocean power, and ground source heat pumps businesses. In combination with additional capabilities in energy storage and smart micro grid technology SFCE has become a leading global player in EPC operation and maintenance services as well as integrated clean energy solutions.” Mr. Eddy Tsai, CEO of Taiwan Carbon Nanotube Technology Corporation (TCNT) said, “We are honored to establish a partnership with the world’s best solar company, Wuxi Suntech, providing it with aerospace grade carbon nanotube technology. We jointly developed leading global technology and product advantages which can further meet MARKET needs, and enhance the value of the PV industry.”

SECI Starts Trading Of Unbundled Solar Power

olar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has started trading of power from 24th March, 2015, thus entering into the segment of Power TRADING COMPANIES active in the Indian Power Market and ushering an era where largescale trading of unbundled RE power becomes a reality. This was a unique transaction

March-April 2015

of its kind as not many examples of short term inter-state trading of Renewable Energy can be found in India. SECI has been able to execute the flow of 20 MW of solar power from the state of Gujarat to the state of Odisha on short-term dayahead basis. The transaction comes under the gamut of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

(JNNSM) wherein SECI is the designated agency for trading of unbundled solar power for the 750 MW scheme under JNNSM Phase II, Batch I. Power from unconventional RE sources such as solar and wind poses numerous challenges in trading due to their highly intermittent nature and the inherent difficulty in accurate

forecasting. SECI intends to enter the Solar Power trading business in a big way. Apart from the power to be traded under the 750 MW scheme, plans for an additional 7000 MW are underway.

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& EQBusiness Financial

Renewables Re-Energized: Green Energy Investments Worldwide Surge 17% To $270 Billion In 2014

lobal investments in renewable energy rebounded strongly last year, registering a solid 17% increase after two years of declines and brushing aside the challenge from sharply lower crude OIL PRICES. Major expansion of solar installations in China and Japan and record investments in offshore wind projects in Europe helped propel global 2014 investments to $270 billion, a 17% surge from the 2013 figure of $232 billion. It was the first annual increase in dollars invested in and committed to renewables (excluding large hydro-electric projects) in three years, a total just 3% below the alltime record of $279 billion set in 2011. The falls in the INVESTMENT figures for 2012 (to $256 billion) and 2013 (to $232 billion) were attributed in part to lower prices for renewable energy technologies due to economies of scale.

The 103GW of generating capacity added around the world made 2014 the best year ever for newly installed capacity, according to the UNEP’s 9th annual “Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investments” report, prepared by the Frankfurt School–UNEP Centre, and Bloomberg New Energy FINANCE. that every dollar invested in renewable energy bought significantly more generating capacity in 2014. The 103GW of capacity added by new renewable energy sources last year compares to 86GW in 2013, 89GW in 2012 and 81GW in 2011. The 103GW of capacity added by renewables last year equals the energy generating capacity of all 158 nuclear power plant reactors in the USA. Wind, solar, biomass and waste-to-power, geothermal, small hydro and marine power contributed an estimated 9.1% of world electricity generation in 2014, up from 8.5% in 2013.

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This meant that last year the world electricity system emitted 1.3 gigatonnes of CO2 — roughly twice the emissions of the world’s airline industry — less than it would have if that 9.1% had been produced by the same fossil-dominated mix generating the other 90.9% of world power. “Once again in 2014, renewables made up nearly half of the net power capacity added worldwide” says Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNEP. “These climate-friendly energy technologies are now an indispensable component of the global energy mix and their importance will only increase as MARKETS mature, technology prices continue to fall and the need to rein in carbon emissions becomes ever more urgent.” “The growing penetration of renewable generation in the world’s developing economies is one of the important and encouraging aspects of the 2014

report.” China saw by far the biggest renewable energy investments last year — a record $83.3 billion, up 39% from 2013. The US was second at $38.3 billion, up 7% on the year (though this is below its all-time high reached in 2011). Third came Japan, at $35.7 billion, 10% higher than in 2013 and its biggest total ever. As in previous years, the market in 2014 was dominated by record investments in solar and wind, which accounted for 92% of overall investment in renewable power and fuels. Investment in solar jumped 25% to $149.6 billion, the second highest figure ever, while wind investment increased 11% to a record $99.5 billion. In 2014, some 49GW of wind capacity and 46GW of solar PV capacity were added worldwide, both records. The dominant feature of the solar sector was unprecedented expansion in China and Asia. Between them, the two Asian

March-April 2015

& EQBusiness Financial giants invested $74.9 billion in solar in 2014, around half the world’s total. In China, utility-scale projects of more than 1MW made up about three-quarters of the solar investment of $40 billion, which was a 45% increase on the previous year. In Japan, on the other hand, investment was dominated by small scale projects of less than a megawatt, which accounted for 81% of a total solar investment of $34.8 billion, a 13% increase on 2013. A boom in European offshore wind development resulted in seven $1 billion-plus projects reaching “final investment decision” stage in 2014. Among these, the $3.8 billion 600MW Gemini installation off the cost of the Netherlands was the largest non-hydro renewable energy plant to get the go-ahead anywhere in the world. Offshore wind projects worth $18.6 billion were financed globally in 2014. This was 148% higher than the previous year and 45% higher than the next highest year, 2010. Most of this total – $16.2 billion – was in Europe with China accounting for the remaining $2.4 billion. Other renewable energy sources did not perform so well by comparison. Biofuels fell 8% to $5.1 billion, biomass and waste-to-energy dropped 10% to $8.4 billion and small hydro was down 17% to $4.5 billion. Only geothermal bucked the trend with a 27% increase to $2.7 billion. A salient feature of the 2014 result was the rapid expansion of renewables into new markets in developing countries, where investments jumped 36% to $131.3 billion. China with $83.3

March-April 2015

billion, Brazil ($7.6 billion), India ($7.4 billion) and South Africa ($5.5 billion) were all in the top 10 investing countries, while more than $1 billion was invested in Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, Kenya and Turkey. In contrast, the total renewables investment in developed economies rose only 3% to $138.9 billion. Even accounting for the booming offshore wind sector, investments in Europe hardly changed at $57.5 billion. Despite turnaround, challenges remain. Although 2014 was a turnaround year for renewables after two years of shrinkage, multiple challenges remain in the form of policy uncertainty, structural issues in the electricity system even in the very nature of wind and solar generation, with their dependence on breeze and sunlight.Another challenge was, at first sight, the impact of the 50%-plus collapse in the OIL PRICE in the second half of last year. According to Udo Steffens, President of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, however, the oil price is only likely to dampen investor confidence in parts of the sector, such as solar in oilexporting countries, and biofuels in most parts of the world. “OIL and renewables do not directly compete for power investment dollars,” said Steffens. “Wind and solar sectors should be able to carry on flourishing, particularly if they continue to cut costs per MWh. Their long-term story is just more convincing.”Of greater concern is the erosion of investor confidence caused by increasing u n c e r t ain t y s u r r o u n din g government support policies for renewables. “Europe was the first mover in clean energy,

but it is still in a process of restructuring those early support mechanisms,” notes Michael Liebreich, Chairman of the Advisory Board for Bloomberg New Energy Finance. “In the UK and Germany we are seeing a move away from feed-in tariffs and green certificates, towards reverse auctions and subsidy caps, aimed at capping the cost of the transition to consumers.

The 2014 global investment of $270 billion in renewables followed investments of $232 billion (2013), $256 billion (2012), $279 billion (2011), $237 billion (2010), $178 billion (2009), $182 billion (2008), $154 billion (2007), $112 billion (2006), $73 billion (2005) and $45 billion (2004) — an 11-year total of $2.02 trillion (unadjusted for inflation).

“S ou t h ern Euro p e is still almost a no-go area for investors because of retroactive policy changes, most recently those affecting solar farms in Italy. In the US there is uncertainty over the future of the Production Tax Credit for wind, but costs are now so low that the sector is more insulated than in the past. Meanwhile the rooftop solar sector is becoming unstoppable.”There are also structural challenges in the electricity system as grids and utilities in many countries struggle to cope with the increasing penetration of wind and solar in the generation mix. Coping with 25% or more variable generation is more difficult for grids and utilities than managing a 5% proportion.2014 was a year of eye-catching steps forward for renewable energy with investment rallying strongly. If these positive investment trends are to continue it is increasingly clear that major electricity market reforms will be needed of the sort that Germany is now attempting with its Energiewende energy transition. The structural challenges needing to be overcome are not simple ones, but are of the sort that have only arisen because of the very success of renewables and their over two trillion dollars of investment mobilized since 2004.

Other highlights:

Over $2 trillion invested in renewables since 2004

Although asset finance of utility-scale renewable energy projects went up 10% to $170.7 billion, the increase for small-scale projects of less than 1MW was even bigger at 34%, to $73.5 billion. Recent sharp reductions in solar system costs are making rooftop solar a more competitive option for businesses and households looking to generate part of their own power needs. The US, Japan and China had the biggest increases in small-scale project investment. Among other investment categories, equity raising by renewable energy companies on public markets jumped 43% in 2014 to $15.1 billion, helped by the recovery in sector share prices between mid-2012 and March 2014, and by the popularity with investors of US “yieldcos” and their European equivalents, quoted project funds. Venture capital and private equity investment in renewable energy rallied to $2.8 billion last year, up 27% on 2013’s depressed figure, but still little more than a quarter of the record established in 2008. R&D spending on renewables edged up 2% to $11.7 billion, with corporate entities accounting for $6.6 billion and governments $5.1 billion.

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& EQBusiness Financial ACME Signs PPA For 30 MW Solar Project With Uttar Pradesh •

ACME to INVEST Rs. 225 crores in Uttar Pradesh • ACME to set-up Solar Power Plant at Mahoba District • ACME to supply 50 mn units/ year to state for 25 years • ACME G r o u p t o generate 7500 MW solar power by 2019 ACME, India’s leading green energy player, recently announced that it has signed the PPA for 30 MW solar PV power projects with Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. The power plant will be set-up at Mahoba District over 150 acres of land.As per the terms and conditions of the agreement, ACME Group would

provide approx. 50 mn units power annually for a period of 12 years at a tariff of Rs. 8.93/ KWh and thereafter, it would supply power for further 13 years at the price of eleventh year Average Pooled Purchase Cost (APPC).Commenting on this momentous occasion, Mr. Manoj Kumar Upadhyay, Founder & Chairman, ACME Group said, “We thank the Uttar Pradesh State Government, Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (State Nodal Agency) and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (State Discom) for the opportunity given to us to partner with the state through green energy generation. We look forward to helping the state bring down its power demand-

deficit and look forward to support from all stakeholders in making this state an ideal green State.” This project would entail an estimated INVESTMENT of approx $ 37 mm/ Rs.225 crore.The work on the project shall commence by November 2015 and will be commissioned by August 2016. This will be evacuated by 132 KV line connecting the power plant to the State grid.The state that has one of the lowest per capita consumption of electricity in the country, and recorded the highest deficit of over 15,000 million unit for the period April last year to February 2015 will be benefited by the spike in renewable energy projects

in the state.The company has an existing portfolio of over 900+ MWp including 104 MW in Punjab, 160 MW in Andhra Pradesh, 100 MW JNNSM Phase II Projects in Rajasthan and other projects in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The company aims to generate 7500 MW by the year 2017.ACME showcased its prowess in solar PV technology through its 25 MW plant at Khilchipur, Madhya Pradesh that achieved a record output of 25 GWh in six months of installation, a record in maximum power output by any solar power plant of that scale.

IFC, IREDA Partner to Boost Financing for Renewable Energy Infrastructure in India

FC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) will partner to provide much - needed infrastructure financing for renewable energy projects in India, which, in turn, will help boost growth and create jobs. IREDA, the financing arm of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is now the twenty-seventh development FINANCE institution globally and the second in India, to sign IFC’s master cooperation agreement. This collaboration will help standardize steps that lenders take when co financing

projects with IFC. The ultimate aim is to make local currency FINANCING available in shorter time-frames and reduce FINANCING costs for lenders and borrowers. “The partnership will help IREDA increase its portfolio in financing renewable energy projects, to support the government of India’s plans to establish up to 175 gigawatts of renewable energy projects over the next seven years,” said K. S. Popli, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA. “Our clients will have access to global best practices including IFC’s environmental and social guidelines.”

IFC’s master cooperation agreement was created in 2009 in response to calls for finance institutions to collaborate more closely to help meet shortfalls in private sector financing during the global financial crisis. “Enhancing India’s power generation capacity is critical to expand access to electricity and support domestic manufacturing and agribusiness sectors,” said Vivek Pathak, IFC’s Director for Asia-Pacific. “Partnering with IREDA will enable developers to speedily commission renewable energy projects while having a positive environmental footprint and creating jobs.” Since the master

cooperation agreement was created, signatories have coinvested more than $3 billion with IFC to support private sector development across the world. “IFC and IREDA will play a catalytic role in private sector development by providing long-term risk capital where it is needed most,” said Hyun Chan Cho, IFC’s Head for Infrastructure and Natural Resources – Asia Pacific. “With this partnership, we can respond more swiftly to private sector financing needs and boost job creation.

Jung Inaugurates Solar Power Plant At Delhi Govt School

60 kilowatt rooftop solar power plant at a Delhi government school was inaugurated recently 18

March-April 2015

by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, who described it as a major initiative towards protecting the environment and saving

power.The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is preparing to install solar panels in 27 of its schools, as part of the ‘rooftop

solar city project’. Source:PTI

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& EQBusiness Financial IoT Technologies Expected To Buck Headwinds Facing Solar And Wind Industries And Drive Next Stage Of Growth, Says ABI Research

ccording to ABI Research, growth of the solar and wind industry will increasingly rely on adoption of IoT-based technologies and services. ABI Research expects IoT connected wind and solar installations to grow at a CAGR of 21% between 2014 and 2020 with the total number of connections growing from the almost 2 million in 2014 to 6.3 million in 2020. “With the expected decline of government incentives, the industry fears less willingness to INVEST in solar and wind products and technologies,”

comments Eugenio Pasqua, Research Analyst. “However, IoT-based technologies and services provide the means to optimize the performance of solar and wind power generation systems and reduce production variability, two areas which detractors have historically cited as major shortcomings of renewable energy sources. In our view, the IoT is an important component fuelling the next stage of growth for the solar and wind industry.” Key IoT-based services for solar and wind power are remote

monitoring of energy production and condition monitoring of the equipment, often coupled to cloud - based analy tics platforms. In the utility sector these solutions offer a cheaper and simpler alternative or even an additional set of features to more traditional control and monitoring systems like SCADA, and in the solar residential and commercial sectors they will play an important role both FOR SUPPLIERS and customers. Cellular connectivity will also play an important role and is expected to garner the majority share of connections by 2020.

“Given the mix of traditional and modern solutions the market for solar and wind power remote monitoring services remains quite fragmented, with different players holding the leadership sceptre depending on the target sector and the geographical area,” adds Pasqua. Some examples are represented by Mita-Teknik for the monitoring of wind farms and ABB for both solar and wind farms, while in the non-utility sectors it’s worth mentioning Locus Energy and AlsoEnergy among the leaders in North America and Rtone and Solar-Log in Europe.

Emami Group Bares Plans For Rajasthan

alcutta-based Emami Group has planned a Rs 4,200-crore INVESTMENT in Rajasthan for a cement plant, a solar power unit and a solar park.The group plans to set up a 3-milliontonne cement unit at Chittor near Udaipur with backward integration into limestone mining.The entire project, which includes a clinker and grinding unit and a power plant, will come up in three years.R.S. Agarwal and R.S. Goenka, co-founders and joint chairman of Emami, met Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje here today

and discussed the project. They also proposed a Rs 1,200-crore INVESTMENT in the solar sector. Emami intends to build a 100-mega-watt solar power unit and a 500-mega-watt solar park at Jaisalmer.While it will put up the solar power plant itself, the solar park will host other companies and Emami will be the infrastructure developer. The meeting with Raje was part of a roadshow that the Rajasthan government is hosting across India to promote the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit in November.She also met a

number of other city-based industrialists, many of them from the Marwari community with roots tracing back to Rajasthan. Sanjiv Goenka, chairman of RPSanjiv Goenka Group, met Raje and proposed INVESTMENT in power distribution. Raje meeting Speaking at the roadshow organised by the CII this morning, Raje said: “Rajasthan provides a great opportunity to INVESTORS from eastern India to expand their business, reliably source material and establish new manufacturing capacities.””Rajasthan and

Calcutta have for centuries shared a very special relationship. We consider this city our home away FROM HOME. We are very proud of this close bond between our two states and value it immensely. We hope to develop a more robust partnership by inviting investment from Bengal and the rest of eastern India, of which this city is the pre-eminent business hub,” she added.She met Umesh Chowdhary, vicechairman of Titagarh Wagon, among others. Source: www.telegraphindia

The Meeco Group Completes 20 KWp Solar Project In India

he meeco Group, jointly with its Indian subsidiary, meeco India (Pvt) Ltd. has successfully completed a 20 kWp sun2live project in the millennium city of Gurgaon, India. The rooftop installation, that was 20

March-April 2015

commissioned last mid-January, consisted in the implementation of photovoltaic modules on the office rooftop of the engineering company, SPML Infra Limited, in the sector 32 of Gurgaon. This grid-connected project will enable the building to generate

the electric power needed for its operation during the daytime. The sun2live inst allation has been equipped with high performance Poly-crystalline GreenBrilliance modules. These modules, manufactured at the world class ISO certified

manufacturing facility of GreenBrilliance Energy private Limited in Vadodara, meet stringent quality requirements complying with worldwide accepted standards.

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emorandums of understanding signed with the Fraunhofer

players in the solar industry.

MoU for the provision of selected solar cell

“Only photovoltaic manufacturers

and module manufacturing equipment and

Solar

using excellent production technology will

for collaboration on process improvements in

Energy Systems ISE, Meyer Burger, and

be successful in the very competitive PV

solar cell and module manufacturing, as well

Centrotherm at Hannover Messe.

market. Fraunhofer ISE is happy to support

as research & development for materials,

Vikram Solar to build up a production line

processes, and device technologies.

Institute

for

Kolkata/India, Hannover/Germany, April

for solar cells with the latest technology

16th 2015 - Solar company Vikram Solar

and therefore contribute to the ‘Make in

Hemal Ghelani, Vice President &

has begun three new collaborations with

India’ initiative of the Indian Government”,

General Manager of Meyer Burger India Pvt.

leading international research institutes

Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, Head of Energy Policy

Ltd., made the following statement: “Meyer

and technology companies from Germany

of Fraunhofer ISE said.

Burger is proud to be the preferred strategic

and Switzerland. The partnerships are

technology partner for manufacturing at

intended to further optimize the module

In addition, Fraunhofer ISE and Vikram

Vikram Solar for selected cell and module

production technology at Vikram Solar, make

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manufacturing equipment. As Vikram

preparations for cell manufacturing at the

a solar academy in India, which will serve to

Solar continues to expand and drives

company, and establish a solar academy

impart technical knowledge, expertise, and

to be a dominant company in the global

in India. Memorandums of

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understanding were signed

between Vikram Solar

to this effect with Fraunhofer

and Meyer Burger elevates

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the existing relationship

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an d

photovoltaics at the world’s

strengthened collaboration

largest industrial trade show,

between our companies.”

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Hannover Messe. Centrotherm “By collaborating with

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expertise from some of the best

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for different levels of

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expertise across the crystalline silicon solar

positioning as a technologically advanced PV

practical training in solar energy systems.

cell manufacturing value creation chain,

manufacturer. We believe that this will add

Fraunhofer ISE will deploy technicians,

specifically for processes, technology,

tremendous value for our global customers,

experts, and personnel with practical

systems, and applications. Within the scope

resulting in unmatched product quality at

experience in the sphere of solar energy

of their partnership, Vikram Solar and

very competitive costs,” states Gyanesh

systems to provide knowledge and training to

Centrotherm have agreed to collaborate by

Chaudhary, Managing Director & CEO of

the aspiring individuals of the solar academy.

using Centrotherm’s production equipment

Vikram Solar.

and manufacturing expertise to improve cell Headquartered in Switzerland, Meyer

efficiency and productivity.

Fraunhofer ISE in Germany is the

Burger is a leading global technology group

biggest solar research institute in Europe

delivering systems, production equipment

Dr. Josef Haase, Centrotherm: “We

and holds the world record in solar cell

and fully integrated system solutions and

are honored to be chosen as technology

efficiency. It will assist Vikram Solar with

services along the entire photovoltaic

and equipment partner for the expansion

the research and development of industrial

value chain. Vikram Solar has an existing

into solar cell manufacturing. As Vikram

scale crystalline silicon solar cell and module

relationship with Meyer Burger and uses

Solar has deep experience in manufacturing

processing. The aim is to help Vikram to

Meyer Burger production equipment. In

of solar modules and solar systems, it is a

rapidly expand its manufacturing capability

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perfect fit to our product portfolio and our

and emerge as one of the largest integrated

Vikram Solar and Meyer Burger signed an

business strategy.”

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March-April 2015

SO L A R ENERGY

Vikram Solar Launches Three Collaborations With Leading European Institutes And Suppliers

SO L A R ENERGY

The Rockefeller Foundation Launches ‘Smart Power For Rural Development’ Initiative A US $75 million initiative to promote economic development in rural areas through access to reliable and renewable energy Launched in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy

he Rockefeller Foundation yesterday launched ‘Smart Power for Rural Development, an initiative that aims to bring electricity to 1000 villages over the coming three years, providing power to 1 million Indians in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. To achieve this ambitious goal, The Rockefeller Foundation is funding the creation of a new organization –‘Smart Power India’ responsible for expanding the Smart Power model which uses mini-grid technology for both lighting and productive use. Headquartered in New Delhi, and led by CEO Jaideep Mukherji, Smart Power India aims to promote economic development in rural areas by providing access to reliable energy from green sources. The launch was marked with a ceremonial event in New Delhi attended by distinguished dignitaries, including, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy, senior officials from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, officials from Public Sector Utilities, senior officials from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Heads of telecom infrastructure companies, energy service companies, research organisations, think tanks and academia. Speaking at the launch of initiative, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Power, has commented that, “The reality of the energy sector in India is that large parts of the country have remained isolated from a basic level of comfort, a basic level of development. The fact that The Rockefeller Foundation is investing in sustainable energy frameworks is exciting. A million people, is a lot of people, even in a country like India. If implemented effectively, and I have full confidence that it will, this initiative can have a tremendous

March-April 2015

effect. We are open to all ideas and we look to foundations and organisations such as The Rockefeller Foundation, to learn from their varied experience and to improve the quality of life of rural populations in India. I think that The Rockefeller Foundation has always been a pioneer for new movements. I hope

three years.

we can take this initiative on the fast track and truly effect change to our communities.”

electricity and transforming the lives of one million people in 1000 villages in rural India. Every step towards increasing rural access to modern energy sources can help India reach its full economic potential. We believe the provision of power will open up greater opportunities for economic development in rural areas- paving the way for a more inclusive economy. The Smart Power model we are launching today is a unique market based innovation that can support India as it achieves its ambitious electrification goals.”

The Smart Power for Rural Development initiative aligns closely with the Indian government’s vision of providing access to reliable power throughout the country and is backed by a commitment of US$ 75 million from the Rockefeller Foundation. The initiative’s focus will be on India and it aims to promote sustainable business models that deliver renewable energy and spur economic development among an unreached rural population. Smart Power India will partner with energy service companies (ESCOs), telecom tower operators, investors, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies to provide 1,000 villages with access to power in the next

Dr Judith Rodin, President, The Rockefeller Foundation said, “The Rockefeller Foundation is thrilled to launch Smart Power for Rural Development in India, with the goal of providing access to

The Smart Power model is an innovative way to deliver clean energy via decentralized mini-grids. The mini-grids provide market opportunities to investors and will be able to integrate into the national grid system which the government is extending. Under

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the Smart Power model, an anchor tenant, for example a telecom company operating local cell towers, would serve as the base demand for power and make it profitable for an Energy Service Company Operator (ESCO) to build a power plant which is large enough to serve both lighting and productive loads. With this structure in place, the ESCO is willing to go into rural communities and

is able to sell power to local businesses and households – thus meeting the need for various uses of power – lighting, productive loads (such as carpenters, agricultural loads – irrigation, grinding mills) and other business needs benefiting new and future

local businesses and homes. The provision of power to the selected villages is expected to open up significant opportunities for economic development and improving livelihoods. Those affected will see improved access to education, opportunities to trade and do business, access to key information services and

improved healthcare services – all spurred on by access to reliable energy. Smart Power India, a new Indian led organization based in Delhi, will be The Rockefeller Foundation’s key partner in working with Energy Service Companies,

private sector partners, investors, NGOs, and the Indian government to reach the goal of bringing electricity to underserved villages in India. Smart Power India, will provide support for the entire ecosystem needed for mini-grids to be successful, sustainable, and scalable. Prior to joining Smart Power India, CEO Jaideep Mukherji spent two and a half years with d.light, a local social enterprise that works to bring affordable solar lighting devices to people in the developing world. Mr. Mukherji has a proven track record and over 30 years of experience in innovation and market development. Jaideep Mukherji, CEO, Smart Power India said, “After the last few years spent in the renewable energy space, I am thrilled to take on the new role as CEO of Smart Power India. The Smart Power model is an innovative solution for what has been an intractable problem in India. We have a unique opportunity at this time given that the government is supporting investments in rural electrification to spur economic development. The telecom revolution and the proliferation of cell towers, and the private sector partners looking for new avenues for investment can also address social challenges. Now is the time for India to have an energy revolution, and I believe the Smart Power model stands at the forefront of supporting that vision.”

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March-April 2015

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I N T ERV I EW

Jinko Solar Becomes The World’s Third Largest Solar Panel Maker Exclusive Interview With Mr. Li Xiande Chairman, Jinko Solar EQ : JinkoSolar is one of the top ranked Chinese module manufacturers. How is Jinko participating in the China downstream market? LX : We plan to triple our solar power capacity this year as the company prepares for an initial public offering of its project-development unit. We plan to complete as many as 1,000 megawatts of solar projects in China this year, compared with the 503 megawatts it owned at the end of last year. In addition, we have strong project pipeline. JinkoSolar also plans projects in South Africa and the Middle East. Not only has our utility power plant business been quite successful in China, but we extended our footprint in emerging

markets such as South Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, etc. JinkoSolar’s business fundamentals are healthier compared to pure hardware manufacturers. Robust pipeline, development and execution capability, project diversification and strong financing provide good visibility of the years ahead. EQ : China has set extremely ambitious goals for solar in 2015 in the country. How realistic are these goals? What has changed in China from 2014 when the goals were missed? LX : We this year’s goal is realistic and even a little bit conservative, we think China may install as many as a record 19 gigawatts of solar power this year. The main reason of missing goals in 2014 is because of decentralized plant por tion. Bu t t h e n ew definition of decentralized pv plants changed in September 2014 (ground-mounted p l a n t s b el o w 2 0MW, 35 k w are categorized as decentralized pv plants), which will enable the fulfillment of this year’s goal. EQ : How are margins in China compared to other parts of the

March-April 2015

world? LX : The gross margin of JinkoSolar in 2014 is over 22%, which keeps its leading position in industry. In general, the margins in China is better than other parts of the world thanks to the complete value chain and the best technology and production knowhow. EQ : The module market remains very price competitive. Is module supply still interesting from a margin point of view, or are projects the future? LX : Different company has different advantage and strategy. It is hard to say which is better, pure manufacturer, integrated solar approach or downstream project developer. EQ : Jinko’s Eagle+ module looks most interesting, in serving the high-efficiency end of the market. How important is it that Jinko continues to invest in efficiency-boosting technology? LX : High efficiency is mostly talk. Even though JinkoSolar is always keeping low profile, but actually we never stop investing in efficiency-boosting technology. We have a state-of-the-art R&D building center housing over 250 scientists and PV engineers in fundamental R&D, material, production process, wafer, cell, module, system integration. This year we have

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raised the bar yet again with the release of launch commercial Eagle module offering an unprecedented output up to 280W for 60 poly-cell, and its upgrade Eagle+ module reached 334.5 W, breaking a new world record. Also we holds the second place in Photon La module field tests. Compared to conventional solar panels, our high efficient and PID Free (under 85 Celsius degree, 85% Relative Humidity) Eagle+ panels should generate approximately 30 percent more electricity over the 25 years of ownership. By anyone’s standards, that’s impressive. Our research and development teams have been working diligently to surpass the high performance standards set by our Eagle+ Solar Panels. We have set the bar once again, as we continue to beat our own efficiency records, while delivering the most reliable solar technology EQ : What are the cell and module technologies that Jinko believes will help it take its manufacturing to the next level? LX : No double, poly crystalline technologies, especially higher efficiency, higher reliability and lower cost poly

technology will be the mainstream definitely. EQ : Costs remain important. How is that Jinko can continue to be a cost leader when it comes to production. LX :

•

• • • • • • •

Scalability, we seek to expand panel production capacity to 4,000 megawatts this year from 3,200 megawatts in 2014. Complete value chain and one of the most successful vertical integrated models Higher efficiency to reduce cost/watt Expertise in production process knowhow The highest automation level Flat and flexible organization structure Tight operation expense control Lower product defect rate and customer complaint

EQ : The global manufacturing landscape is shifting. Jinko has announced cell and module production in Malaysia. Why is that? Do you think that is a longer-term trend, with manufacturers operating facilities outside of China along with production in China?

LX : We speed up our global presence by shifting from global sales to global production and global investment. Malaysia has advantage of sufficient supply of electricity, relatively better supply chain, cost effective and skilled labor, favorable policy support, etc. This is a longer term trend. EQ : Here at the SNEC people has been impressed by the energy that the solar and wider clean-technology industries seem to have at the moment. How dramatically will China’s energy system and air quality be transformed in 10 years time? LX : Leaders and decision-makers in China are confronting the huge challenges including securing future economic growth, while at the same time ensuring a healthy environment and tackling climate change. China has the opportunity to lead the world in developing renewable clean energy solutions, and it will play an important role in global low-carbon development and to move downstream in the industry chain.

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March-April 2015

SO L A R ENERGY

Accelerating Solar Innovation Through IndustryAcademia Partnership

anipal University & Tata Power Solar unveil SERVe, a solar car prototype aimed at commercial usage, by Team SolarMobil Tata Power Solar, India’s largest integrated solar player and Manipal Institute of Technology, India’s leading technology institute, which is a constituent of Manipal University, unveiled

Designed keeping in mind the mobility and commercial viability, the solar panels have been custom-made to fit the car’s curved surface enhancing the aerodynamics and performance of the vehicle. The highly efficient customized panels weigh just 35kgs and provide upto 960 watts power and weigh less than half of the conventional panels.

today - SERVe (Solar Electric Road Vehicle), the university’s first prototype solar car ready for exploring commercial viability. Designed by students of SolarMobil team, with an intention of commercial usage, the vehicle is custom-fit with bespoke solar panels designed by Tata Power Solar. SERVe is the perfect showcase of an industryacademia effort that will help increase the role of solar innovation in green mobility, with an objective of proliferation of ecovehicles.

The car also houses a Direct Solar Drive, powered by solar panels, to maintain the cruising speed and is supplemented by extra power from its high-end energy storage system.

This four-wheeled prototype, run solely on solar energy, is designed by the above team of 27 student enthusiasts. Weighing 590 kgs, this two-seater solar car can reach up to 60 kmph with a cruising speed of 30 Kmph.

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Speaking on the project, Dr P Giridhar Kini, Associate Director, Manipal University said, “We are extremely happy to see how our students have combined their passion for green energy, through the launch of SERVe. Industry-academia collaboration is the key to foster innovation among the student community. Hence, working with corporates like Tata Power Solar helped our students get technical support and knowledge transfer. The team looks forward to working with more companies for future projects and to continue to nurture student-

level innovation.” “We are pleased to be part this project driven by a talented student-team. This project epitomizes Tata Power Solar’s belief that fostering innovation is key for the proliferation of solar energy. We not

only encourage innovation within our organization but also propagate universities participation for this cause, since they can play an important role in driving innovation in partnership with the industry. The solar car is one of many ventures which we have supported, and we firmly believe India’s students will act as a key contributor in the progress of our solar industry.” said Ashish Khanna, ED & CEO, Tata Power Solar. The core members of the student design team SolarMobil, include: Anudeep Reddy, Jeet Bannerjee, Siva Bhushan Reddy, Anjan Kumar, Varun Gupta, Rohan Sahdev, Madhav Lakhotia, Samay Goenka, Sulekh.P, Akshat Singh, Amol Grover and Nikhil Gumidelli.

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Started in 2011 under the name, SolarMobil, a team on 27 students from Manipal Institute of Technology, perusing different disciplines, came together with the objective to design a commercial viable solar car. The project was aimed at promoting green vehicles among end-consumers. SolarMobil Manipal collaborated with Tata Power Solar to source the car’s custom-fit solar panels and meet with the company’s experts to understand solar technology. The vehicle’s three main design and fabrication components include:

Customized Solar Panels: The customized solar panels provided by Tata Power Solar are made of high efficiency monocrystalline solar cells encapsulated with an Aluminium backsheet and a light-weight polymer front sheet. These light weight and highly efficient solar panels are placed along the curved surface of the car’s roof, ensuring that the aerodynamics is not compromised.

High End Battery System:

The car’s Energy Density Li-ion

Battery pack allows a speed of 150km on a full charge. This high-end Battery Management System monitors the individual strings of the battery pack, ensuring proper health and safety. It is also fitted with a CAN-bus protocol to ensure fast, efficient and error-free communication.

Data Acquisition:

The car’s data acquisition system uses the Rasberry-Pi; this central unit acquires data from the Battery Management System, Maximum Power Point Tracker and various others sensors to ensure proper functioning of all the systems. This data is later is used to analysis the vehicle’s performance.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Car Dimensions

4400 x 1790 x 1380 mm

Track Width

1650 mm

Chassis

Chromoly 4130 steel tubular space frame structure (TIG Welded)

Body

Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP)

Brake System

Dual Hydraulic Line System

Suspension

Push Rod Double Wishbone SLA type

Steering

Rack and Pinion with zero-bump steer geometry

Transmission

2.1:1 Chain Drive with Open Differential

Energy Storage

6.5 KWh- Samsung 18650 Li-Ion Cells

Solar Panels

1KW Solar Array- Tata Power Solar

Motor

Agni 155R PMDC Motor Max torque: 130 Nm Max RPM: 2500

Data Acquisition

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CAN Protocol interfaced using Raspberry Pi SBC

March-April 2015

SO L A R ENERGY RenXSol Installs 400 KW Roof Top Solar Power Plant at KSCA’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium....

enXSol Ecotech Pvt. Ltd. has announced that the 400 kW roof top power plant at KSCA’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium was successfully installed, with successful testing, integration and evacuation to BESCOM grid post CEIG approvals on the April 8, 2015. This roof top installation by KSCA is a novel initiative that has been executed for the first time at any stadium in India and probably also the first cricket stadium in the world to have such facility. Further, this roof top installation is the first project in Karnataka of this size for any industry or institution being sanctioned under the Net Metering policy of BESCOM announced in November 2014 and such project installed and commissioned in short time of about 45-50 days. The 400 kW rooftop solar power plant system has 300Wp, 72 cells, multicrystalline solar panels, with 20 kW Grid Tie type String Inverters, 20 nos., evacuated with bi-directional metering to BESCOM

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at HT level of 11 KV substation, under the new BESCOM Net Metering Solar Policy announced in Nov 2014. While RenXSol handled the design, engineering, project management consultancy (PMC) for the whole project, the execution was done by a KSCA approved vendor under RenXSol and KSCA guidance. The power generated at KSCA’s roof top power plant will be sent to BESCOM Grid under the Net Metering policy, wherein only the Nett of power generated and power consumed is payable by KSCA and in case of excess solar power if given to BESCOM, then the utility will pay KSCA at Rs 9.56 per unit for such power. Commenting on the novel initiative, Srinivas Kumar, Managing Director & CEO, RenXSol, said, “We are delighted in having partnered KSCA to build a green infrastructure and in the process have showcased to the world how un-used roof tops could be utilised productively. With cricket being a religion in the country, we

are confident KSCA’s initiative will be an eye opener in harnessing green energy and go a long way in popularising solar power, especially with several State Governments introducing net metering and open access concept.” The solar plant is designed to generate 5.90 lakh units per year, equivalent to powering 200 AEH (All Electric Homes) households using 3 KW power annually and also saving about 600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. KSCA has set an example as a stadium able to use its space for helping protect the environment for our children in the years to come. KSCA has become the first cricket stadium globally and the also first stadium in India and first net metered project in Karnataka to use solar power. We are proud of this achievement and congratulate RenXSol for the success of the project.”

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SO L A R ENERGY

Indian Farmers Could Grow Power, Not Just Crops K. S. Jayaraman

he Indian state of Gujarat, leading in solar energy innovations with solar parks, canal-top solar plants and roof-top solar systems, is launching yet another novel scheme to harness sunlight. This week (6 May 2015), the state announced plans to set up four solar plants of one mega watt (MW) each on farmers’ fields. The 200 million rupees pilot project allows farmers to grow crops as usual while simultaneously generating power from sunlight from the same piece of land. If the demonstration is found successful, the scheme will be extended to rest of the state. Photovoltaic panels on farmlands c o ul d f e e d p ower t o t h e g rid © S. Priyadarshini “The concept of having solar photovoltaic (PV) panels over agriculture land is finally going to see the light of the day,” Thirumalachetty Harinarayana, director of Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) in Ahmedabad told Nature India after the scheme was announced. Harinarayana’s brainchild, the novel idea was proposed by GERMI last year after computer modelling studies showed that the shade cast by solar panels had no adverse impact on the growth of crops. After trying out different configurations, GERMI scientists proposed that a set of PV panels “arranged like a chess board with gaps in between” and kept about five metres above the field, is ideal for allowing enough sunlight to fall on the crops while at the same time generating electricity1. “Thus, by laying a roof of appropriately configured photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, farmers can use their land for dual purpose rather than growing only food crops,”

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Harinarayana said. The power generated by the solar panels can be used to pump water for irrigating their crops and any excess electricity generated can be sold to the power grid. In other words, farmers can augment their income by renting out their land to the government or to the solar developer who erects solar panels while they grow food crops as usual on the same land. Farmers who feed the people might also produce electricity to feed the national power grid, says Harinarayana. “The land constraint, that currently limits the growth of solar power would be virtually removed if the new proposal to use cultivable lands is adopted on a national scale,” says Sagarkumar Agravat, scientist in-charge of solar projects in GERMI.

Two other GERMI proposals are awaiting adoption on large scale. One involves stacking two layers of solar PV panels one above the other, separated by a small distance, instead of using a single layer. Using this approach a given land area can be used to generate 70 per cent more energy than what is possible with a single layer solar panel, according to GERMI. Their second proposal, if implemented, could turn major roads into “solar highways”. GERMI scientists earlier calculated that a PV roof cover over the 4-lane 205 kilometre long Ahmedabad–Rajkot highway can generate 104 MW of power.

March-April 2015

S O L A R P V M A NUF A CT URI N G

Test Standards For Solar Eva Encapsulation Sheets Dr. Rajeev Goel & Shivam Goel Brij, Crosslinked EVA Sheets

1. INTRODUCTION Solar photovoltaics has undergone massive research and development leading to steap price reductions and efficiency improvements throughout the supply chain. This combined with subsidy inputs from the government has fueled a massive growth of this industry. As per latest MNRE report, module manufacturing currently stands at just over 2500 MW and is poised to further increase to meet the growing demand. Having said that, solar investements are still long term with paybacks of 8 years or more and hence it is important to maintain durability, reliability and at the same ensure cost effectiveness of this investment. With the accumulated expertise of more than 20 years in the EVA processing field, Brij has been supporting this industry by manufacturing high quality solar cell encapsulants.

2. PV MODULE BASICS A Crystalline module though looks simple, is a combination of highly engineered materials working together in tandem to harness energy. Thus each and every component used affects its quality, durability and is as important as any other. One such component is the Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) encapsulant. This transparent layer of plastomer forms a protective layer over and under the solar cells preventing water, dirt and other external impurities from contaminating the cells and at the same time ensures optical transmissivity and electrical isolation. A PV module is not only judged by its electrical performance but also by its annual degradation, and product life time. Hence a cheaper module might seem to be an attractive option today but might be packed with low 30Â

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quality components leading to a short life span and hence low return on investments. What happens when a solar panel is protected with a poor quality encapsulant?

Figure 1: Crystalline solar module construction A variety of defects can be experienced like degradation of electrical parameters, yellowing of module surface, water ingress and delamination.

3. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TEST STANDARDS Product testing is a form of quality assurance in relation to product research and development. Although this process is considered as the most tedious and expensive stage of research and development; it is still imperative.

Adhesion of EVA to substrate is key to the longevity of a module throughout its operational lifetime. Low adhesion is a good indication of expired EVA or exposure to moisture during transit/storage or even improper laminating conditions. EN 1895 & ASTM D-1876 test standards can be followed to determine the peel strength accurately. Spring balance test is often used in the industry as quick test to validate the incoming material. Values between 75 N/cm and 125 N/cm can be used as a reference for quality control. 3.1.2 Gel Content Test (Crosslinking ratio). Gel content of EVA is a measure of degree of crosslinking of the polymer. Lower gel content indicates lower dgeree of crosslinking, which severely jeopardises the long term mechanical integrity of the module. ASTM D-2765 test standard can be followed to determine the gel content accurately. Variations of the same are often used to approximate the gel content values at shop floor level.

The standard tests for determination of quality of various module components and especialy EVA are vastly varied and sometimes ambiguous. However the following tests are generally used to define quality of the EVA encapsulant films. 3.1 ENCAPSULANT TESTS. Some or all of these tests can be performed on the shop floor on regular basis to ensure consistamcy. 3.1.1 Peel strength (Adhesion test)

Figure 2: Soxlets extraction apparatus If encapsulant is not expired, lower gel content is generally due to lowe crosslinking and hence inappropriate laminating conditions. Gel content levels of 70% and higher are recommended for longer life-

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times. 3.1.3 Thermal shrinkage. EVA films have an inherent tendency to shrink when heated at lamination temperatures, which if not controlled might lead to breakage of solar cells, mislaignment of strings, amongst other stability issues. Shrinkage is generally caused due to process induced stresses during the manufacturing of EVA films however the rule ‘lower the shrinkage and better the encapsulant’ is not generally true due to a variety of other trade-offs. Globally, shrinkage levels of 2% or less are acceptable and are known to cause no laminating problems. At Brij, many other tests such as optical transmittance, tensile strength, water absorption, volume resistivity etc. are performed regularly for internal quality assurance purposes. These may or may not be conducted by a module manufacturer. 3.2 MODULE TESTS. EVA is an important ingredient of a solar module and hence it is important to test its impact on module lifetime. The following tests though performed at the module level may be impacted by the quality of encapsulant film. 3.1.1 Accelerated aging. To simulate external environment and also accelerate the slow natural ageing process, IEC and other testing bodies have devised several laboratory tests in order to predict module output and condition at end of life. Following tests are of importance with respect to EVA encapsulant: 3.2.1.1 Damp heat test. Determination of the ability of the module to withstand the effects of long-term exposure to humidity and heat is an important aspect of this test. The test has a standardized procedure according to IEC 61215 wherein the module is subjected to 85°C, 85% relative humidity for 1000 hrs. The damp heat test is used to determine module durability and provides a measure of the overall integrity of the module. However, this test method may be misleading to allow a statement on the overall quality of the lamination. Peel tests

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are essential to determine the overall quality of the lamination. It is a good test for Indian conditions comprising high humidity and temperature. 3.2.1.2 UV Testing. Most plastomers including EVA are sensitive to UV radiation and undergo degradation on its constant exposure. Hence it is important validate if this degradation rate is well under the prescribed limits to ensure long term stability. In this test, the module is exposed to 15 kwh/ m2 UV light within 280nm to 320nm and atleast 5kwh/m2 in 320 to 385nm spectrum at temperature of 60°C. Cerium oxide in glass is partially responsible for absorbing the UV component of spectrum and hence reducing the degradation. But use of cerium free glass for lamination may have an adverse effect on degradation rates. 3.2.1.3 Thermal Cycling. In real scenario, solar modules specially in cold climates withstand changes in temperature and sometimes from subzero to 30-40 degrees in a single day. This causes thermal fatigue due to continous expansion and contraction of components. IEC61215 tests this by exposing the modules to 200 cycles between -40°C to 85°C, with the cycle time not exceeding 6hrs.

ule frame. In some cases, this gradient is highly negative, causing the flow of leakage current from module frame to the cell. This may lead to migration of impurities (Na+) from the top glass surface through EVA into the solar cell. This potential induced degradation (PID), creates local recombination sites hence decreasing the cell efficiency and module performacne. For this test, the module is subjected to a temperature of 60°C with 85% humidity under 1000v load for 96 hours.

4.SUMMARY A durable encapsulant requires stringent quality control, uniform compositions, and use of the best available raw materials. Even a slight deterioration of any of the properties of the encapsulant over time will impair the electrical output of the module, which is of critical importance to providing a 25 to 30 year working life of a solar module. A good EVA film should posses high peal strength, sufficient gel content, low shrinkage, and should be able to withstand the module tests and harsh environment conditions with ease.

Generally, this is a good test to determine durability and reliability of solar cells. 3.2.1.4 Humidity Freeze. The purpose of this test is to determine the ability of module to withstand changes in temperature in humid conditions. It checks the ingress of moisture through various layers of solar panel. Under IEC 61215, 10 cycles of exposure to 85°C at 85% RH for first 20 hrs and -40°C without RH control for next 4 hrs are performed. It is one of the best interface tests and checks the quality of adhesion.

Figure 3: Solar EVA encapsulant films Brij is the first Indian company to manufacture EVA Encapsulation Films and is the country leader in manufacturing IEC 61215 qualified films. Through constant research and development, in-house testing laboratory and stringent quality checks, we at Brij make sure that each square meter of EVA manufactured encapsulates the modules not for 25 yrs, but for a lifetime. © Copyright Protected. Brij Footcare Pvt. Ltd. 2014.

3.2.2 PID Testing. In recent years, MW scale installations have pushed the voltage limits beyond 800V causing high potential gradient between the solar cells and the mod-

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S O L A R P V M A N UF A CT URI N G

Materials MatterTM MITIGATING STRATEGIES FOR HOT SPOTS IN CRYSTALLINE SILICON SOLAR PANELS DuPont-PhotovoltaicSolutions

Hot Spots

• Bypass diodes segregate cells in groups of 20 cells. This is supposed to limit the reverse voltage across the cells to less than 10V.

ot spots are areas of elevated temperature affecting only part of the solar panel. They are the result of a localized decrease in efficiency, which results in lower power output and an acceleration of the materials degradation in the affected area (Fig. 1). Solar panels generate significant power and hot spots can occur when some of that power is dissipated in a localized area. Hot spots are rarely stable and will usually intensify until total failure of the panel performance in terms of electricity production and/or safety. Hot spots in crystalline silicon solar panels represent an additional stress for the materials used in module construction. This can be temporary or permanent, depending on the type and cause of the hot spot. The

The Causes of Hot Spots There are multiple causes of hot spots, and they can be functional or operational. The functional reasons can be divided into two areas. • Cell mismatch occurs when cells of varying current production are connected in series. This condition is the result of wide bins in the cell sorting process. In general, this should only mildly affect the temperature of the underperforming cells.

Figure 2. Typical electrical connection of a crystalline silicon panel with bypass diodes for hot spot protection developed to address this issue (Ref. 2). In a crystalline silicon solar panel, the silicon cells are typically connected in series, so that each 6-inch cell produces a current of about 8 amps (A), and each voltage at about 0.6 volts (V) is added through the string to build up the power (Power = Voltage*Current).

Figure 1. Hot spots are evident in this infrared picture showing elevated temperature where the cells are damaged along the frame selection of materials with higher thermal stability can help reduce the risk of performance and safety issues associated with hot spots.

Module Design and Mitigating Strategies The causes of hot spots and susceptibility of solar panels have been investigated in the past and test standards have been

March-April 2015

This leads to panels with a direct electrical output of about 8A and typically 30 to 35V. • If za cell cannot generate the peak current produced around it, it will act as a power dissipation device (like a resistor). This is called reverse bias. • A resistor dissipates power by heating up, so a cell in reverse bias will exhibit a hot spot. • Cells may not be able to produce the current because of shadows (either cast or from soiling), or because of cell damage or inherent cell lower performance (poor cell matching).

• Cell damage can occur during the production process because the silicon cell will be subjected to many stresses in lamination and handling. The cell is about 180μm thick and is very brittle. The cell will be transported, soldered, handled as part of a string and then laminated. Each stage subjects the cells to mechanical and/or thermal stresses. Thereafter, module transport and installation can generate further stresses on the cells which can cause them to break. In particular, it was highlighted by the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin, Germany (ISFH) that transportation of the panels parallel to the ground will generate particular damage to the cells (Ref. 3). The operational reasons for hot spots are related to the solar park design and operation and can include: • Situations where an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company may want to accept shading conditions in the winter (as it may only represent 10 percent of the annual production in specific areas) to increase electricity production in the summer. This means that the panel will suffer

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of the Panel

Figure 3. Partial shading of a panel caused by a “rooftop feature” (e.g. chimney) systematic shading of the bottom row of cells every morning and evening for several months. This is where it is particularly important to install panels with the strings of cells parallel to the ground (landscape orientation) to allow the bypass diodes to work and enable the generation of 10 percent electricity, even in winter. • For solar installations on roofs, the topography of the roof can sometimes present a challenge. Again, the installation designersmay decide that it is acceptable for a cell to be completely shaded, thereby putting a lot of stress on the panel. This condition may not be sufficient for the bypass diode to operate, resulting in an increase in temperature which will accelerate the panel degradation. Similarly, tree or tall vegetation growth around a solar installation should be controlled to avoid partial shading conditions. • Panels can be soiled due to dust, dirt and other contaminants during their lifetime. It can be useful to design the parks to mitigate these sources of soiling. The operations and maintenance (O&M) company should also identify situations requiring cleaning, which means regular visits to the park. The frequency of cleaning will be heavily dependent on the climate conditions and ground surrounding the park. For example, a solar park that is cleaned in the south of Italy will usually gain 2 percent for only a few days and stabilize thereafter for many months. In this case, the cost of cleaning may not be worth the effort. A solar park in dusty desert conditions, however, can lose up to 30 percent power output if not cleaned regularly. Today the Middle East has developed dry cleaning methods to de-dust the solar panels, due to the scarcity of water in the region.

The consequences of hot spots can range from dramatic fires to accelerated aging of the materials and in most cases, we will see themore diffuse temperature increase leading to an accelerated aging of the backsheet/encapsulation material set (Fig. 4). A hot spot resulting from or leading to a short circuit between the front and the back of the cell will result in very localized high intensity heating. This type of hot spot

Deep Crack (Polyester)

Micro Crack (Polyester) +20 °C

Delamination & Crack (Polyester)

Deep Crack (PVDF)

Delamination (PVDF)

can result in melting of the backsheet and

Hot Spots Lead to Bubbling

Impact of Hot Spots on the Electrical Protection

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March-April 2015

(PVF) film, used in a tri-layer backsheet composed of Tedlar®/PET/Tedlar® (referenced as TPT in figures 7 and 8) is well recognized to provide the best combination of electrical insulation and durability against moisture, UV and temperature degradation. DuPont™ Tedlar® PVF film is also used in a corresponding single-sided structure (Tedlar®/ PET/Tie layer, known as TPE).

Bubbling Leads to Cracking

Figure 5. High intensity hot spots in PVDF-based backsheets can lead to fires.

Mitigating the Impact of Hot Spots While hot spots may not be directly caused by poor material selection and may be more directly related to processing problems (from cell manufacturing to panel installation and maintenance),certain materials have been found to be more sensitive to hot spot conditions. While the hot spot condition can be temporary (such as for partial shading or soiling), it is important to select materials which can withstand the temporary occurrence of hot spots. There are two variables which are

Figure 6. Example of catastrophic hot spot failure of interest in the backsheet to mitigate the likelihood of permanent damage. 1. The softening of the backsheet inner layer may compromise the adhesion of the insulation layer, thereby affecting the electrical insulation of the panel. 2. The smaller the thermal coefficient of expansion, the fewer stresses there are at the edges of the hot spots. Large expansion coefficients may increase the likelihood of backsheet delamination.

The backsheet is the electrically insulating component on Figure 7. Different backsheet structures can resist melting of the inner the back of the solar layerand retain adhesion and electrical insulation for longer periods of time panel. It is usually made of several layers with a core of polyester (PET). The polyester middle layer or core layer provides the main electrical insulation function. The other layers fulfill protection and/or adhesive functions. DuPont™ TedFigure 8. Thermal coefficient of expansion can help lar® polyvinyl fluoride mitigate backsheetdelamination on diffuse hot spots 34

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The tie layer, which is in contact with the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant, is also called the inner layer. In situations of high hot spot intensity caused by shunts or electrical arcs, no material can be expected to withstand the very high temperatures reached. Some cells may be more prone to edge shunts. Arcs can occur within the panel when the soldering bus wires are placed too close to one another inside the panel and the water saturation of the EVA reaches equilibrium with the ambient moisture levels. These situations can only be remedied at the cell selection and the panel design level and should be addressed by the panel manufacturer.

Dependence of Hot Spot Conditions on Installation Type Cells and panels can operate at elevated temperatures for reasons other than a malfunction in the panel. Rooftop systems can create an environment where the temperature of the panel can be more than 40 °C above the ambient air tempera-

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ture (Fig. 9). The occurrence of a hot spot on a rooftop system can further accelerate the degradation and affect the electrical safety protection. An additional challenge is that the effect of a hot spot on the backsheet will not be apparent in most cases (e.g. on pitched rooftops). System owners may have a serious electrical safety protection issue

loss means lower return on investment and a higher levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the system owner. While some hot spots can be remedied, others are the sign of irreversible damage to the panel. Hot spots stress the panel materials and can eventually degrade them to the extent that not only the power of the panel is substandard, but more importantly, the safety of the panel and potentially the installation is compromised. It is important

“Crack statistics of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules,” M. Kontges, 26th EU PV Solar Energy Conference 2011. “Backsheet and module durability and performance and comparison of accelerated testing to long term fielded modules,” W.J. Gambogi, 28th EU PV Solar Energy Conference 2013. “Reliability of IR-imaging of PVplants under operating conditions,” C.I.

Figure 9. Levels of temperature intensity for various types of solar installations Source: Creep in Photovoltaic Panels: Examining the Stability of Polymeric Materials and Components (2010) 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC ’10) Honolulu. David C. Miller, Michael Krempe, Stephen Glick and Sarah Kurtz. Viridian Solar – January 2014 (5) without knowing. In any case, higher operating temperatures due to poor air ventilation of the panels require the use of materials that have higher thermal stability.

to identify hot spot situations and remedy the ones that can be prevented, by removing partial shading situations or implementing a cleaning cycle.

DuPont™ Tedlar® PVF film-based backsheets used in a TPT construction demonstrate the best thermal characteristics to mitigate the impact of diffuse hot spots for three reasons:

If the panel materials have been selected carefully, mild hot spot situations resulting from partial shading or soiling should not lead to instantaneous damage of the panel. This will give the O&M team the time they need to detect these by infrared (IR) thermal inspection, for example, and to remedy the situation before significant damage can occur.

The highest melting temperature of the inner layer provides stable mechanical properties of the electrical insulation at higher temperatures. The lowest thermal expansion coefficient reduces the stresses at the edges of the hot spot and the damage to the electrical insulation. Ensures the highest combined UV, humidity and thermal resistance.

Conclusions Hot spot conditions are never desirable in a solar park and are usually associated with power loss (Ref. 5). Any power

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References: “PV module failures observed in the field – solder bond and bypass diodes failures,” Kazuhiko Kato, 25th EU PV Solar Energy Conference 2010.

Buerhop, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 107(2012), 154-164. “Creep in Photovoltaic Modules: Examining the Stability of Polymeric Materials and Components” (2010) 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC ’10) Honolulu, David C. Miller, Michael Krempe, Stephen Glick and Sarah Kurtz, Viridian Solar – January 2014. “Evaluation of high-temperature exposure of photovoltaic modules,” S. Kurtz, K. Whitfield, G. TamizhMani, M. Koehl, D. Miller, J. Joyce, J. Wohlgemuth, N. Bosco, M. Kempe and T. Zgonena, Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications Volume 19, Issue 8, pages 954–965, December 2011.

“Hot spot susceptibility and testing of PV modules,” E. Molenbroek, D.W. Waddington, K.A. Emery. IEEE Conference, 1991, pp. 547-552.

March-April 2015

REN EWA BL E ENERGY

Renewable Energy: Are SMEs Missing the Bus? Sankalp Ved is B.E. – Electrical, PGDFM, Certified Energy Manager - Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd.

ast financial year which ended on 31 March 15 clocked around 2260 MW of wind Energy installations and about 1100 MW of solar installation in the country. However, in last 3 years new trends has been evolving with lesser share of SMEs, small investors which are called ‘Retail investors’ as Industry Jargon.

Why these SMEs are going away?

Who are these retails investors?

tax planning; now same investor has to go for 1.5 to 2.1MW WTG that too cost of Rs. 7 Cr./MW. This has taken minimum

Small renewable Investors are moving out of market slowly, especially from Wind sector for several reasons. Few of them are listed below:

investment required from Rs. 3 Cr. to Rs. 11 Cr. Though few small WTGs are available but the availability is restricted to few states with limited options. Unavailability of generic standard Solar tariff for long term:

Above problem of minimum 10-11 Cr. investment is not there in Solar project. This year average turbine size Even a small 0.25 MW solar project is also Share of retail investors in wind installed has crossed 1.5 MW for the first possible. However unlike wind, in case of projects this year came down to 25% which time in the history. During 2005-2012 the Solar there is no generic long term tariff. was as high as up to 90% from 2005 to average turbine size was below or near One could install a wind project in MP 2010. In the same way solar also started 1MW. A typical retailer has an option to between April 13 to April 16 and will get with 60%+ share of retail investors which invest in small WTG of 0.6 or 0.8 MW with a fix tariff of Rs. 5.92/unit but for solar now is below 35% today. 3-5 Cr. investment and prudently do his there is no tariff available. Investor FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 has to wait for Govt. tender/RFP, apply for it, fulfill so many terms Retail Share TO% ReTO% Reand condition & then he may win Reducing Retail IPP TAL tail Retail IPP TAL tail (or loose) a PPA. This process Wind 568 1690 2258 25% 706 1370 2076 34% with so many deadlines gives very Solar 455 645 1100 41% 452 510 962 47% small window for anyone to make *Source: Public web sites, media reports, Average approximate numbers are taken financial and tax planning.

SMEs and small companies which typically invest with 0.5 MW to 5 MW renewable energy project and avail various incentives available including accelerated depreciation, Tax free income, Preferential tariff if they sell power to local utility and discounted wheeling charges for captive use etc. These companies typically take project in their books and term loan is also availed by virtue of strength in the parent’s balance sheet. 36

March-April 2015

Unavailability of small size wind Turbine:

REC Market not taking off: As such REC based RE project were not considered ‘Bankable’, in the beginning when this scheme was launched so many small investors came up aggressively and invested in small-small REC based projects while taking ‘balance sheet funding’. RECs piled up and investors had to shall out money from their core business to repay loan and interest. There are more than 1 Crore RECs unsold as on March 2015. Plan vanilla funding:

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Several IPPs which emerged as multi MW investor in Indian RE market have engineered new equity and debt funding model which allowed them to leverage more, pump in lesser equity for large project, get longer repayment schedule, ECB funding at lower rate and even bridge funding for equity in some cases. On the contrary a small retail investor has to go with simple 30:70 term loan at coupon rate of not less than 11.5%. Now in reverse bidding kind of tender (typically Solar) a Large IPP can aggressively bid a tariff which a small investor can never match (even while considering accelerated benefit which IPPs cannot use and neither they bother for it!) Negotiating Power with supplier / Vender: Big size IPPs with penetration of foreign equity fund into their books, get more importance and access to detailed information from the supplier / project developer due the size of their contract and the ‘carrot’ they show for future multi billion contract. On the contrary a 0.5 MW investor has to settle only with the ‘leftover’. Delay in Payments: Normally 3060 days delay in payment is something an investor can deal with but an SME having a project on its book get into trouble when 30 becomes 300.

With all challenges listed above there is still good opportunity for SMEs and small investors to take up this renewable waive. Requirement is to prudently plan the investment and scout for innovative funding ideas.

of AD benefit the decrement in the wind investment by AD investors did not stop. Although this can be utilized and has to be prudently planned by the financial advisers.

Captive Project opportunity: This is a chance available only with small-small plants and factories. By tying up wind/solar power for captive purpose the power cost of the factory / Production is frozen for 25 years. Renewable project becomes integral part of the production process and safeguards plant form the annual increment in the tariff to the tune of total generation. Further both Electricity Duty & Fuel Charge are exempted when wind/solar units are wheeled. An investor can get duel benefit as with increase in Energy charge the effective Duty also increase and so the saving per unit.

Country has seen debacle of UMPPs, also witnessed absolute disappearance of all big investors (specially backed by foreign) from renewable market during 2008 meltdown. Even during those days these retailers continued small-small invest & the ball kept rolling.

SMEs are growth Engines:

When double digit growth is being targeted, Govt. also has to take some initiative so that these SMEs remain in game.

Solar Roof top: This is also gaining ground, it is expected to compliment & not supplement the captive market as both are very different from application point of view. New Ideas like ‘integrator’ approach is being experimented wherein a big Investor make various tie ups for using roof and sell the power to same company (at discounted rate) which has provided roof. Accelerated Depreciation:

How can these SMEs ride the wave?

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Surprisingly after restoration

March-April 2015

REN EWA BL E ENERGY

Winners Curse ? Siddartha Ramakanth Keshavadasu B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering, MBA in Power Management from National Power Training Institute,

ast few month’s promises and series of events in Energy Sector of the country seems to be the master crafts of castles on paper but equally prospected to be the night mares in reality. Starting with the unveiling of grand plans of capacity addition of 100GW Solar, 60GW Wind, 5 UMPPs all latest by 2025, adding to 180GW (apart from IPPs and State specific RE addition Targets) to existing 260GW. With the current peak demand just around 160GW and expected growth of 10% annually make up to 210GW. These figures seem to be reasonable enough to say that they are grandly planned for India Energy Security, but the question of the hour is whether India is financially sound enough to suit such a stitch in Capacity? Coming to the finance requirement for such a huge capacity addition, we need at least 600,000 Crores for financing Solar and 300,000 Crores for financing wind and 100,000 Crores for central government planned UMPPs accounting for 1 Million Crores only to fund Generation Capacity addition, apart from that the required Transmission and wheeling Infrastructure require another 1 Million Crores. Indian financial institutions require 2 Million Crore Rupees only to fund Power Sector Projects, but are banks willing to lend the amount keeping in view of the poor financial condition of the Discoms! Stone on the Head:

March-April 2015

Currently the distribution companies are failing to honor PPAs and are not in a position to buy power even at Rs.4 per unit and the capacity addition of the RE Plants will increase the power procurement cost will be a curse for the distribution companies. Apart from distribution companies even the CTU have to make a doubtful investment as the Green Corridor would be charged only for a part of the day and part of the year and should be idle in the rest of the year as RE sources will not cater the needs for the whole day. Apart from Discoms, even the Generating companies have to be cautious keeping in view of the Germany’s experience of over vibrations because of load fluctuations because of poor forecasting and scheduling of Renewable power. With 160GW of Renewable capacity in place accounts for around 40% of poorly forecast-able and poorly schedulable energy increases the load fluctuations on the generating stations. In this regard, for the power sector as a whole, how the target achievement is going to happen and even if it happens can the power be evacuated and even if evacuated will Discoms buy this power and the increase of O&M costs and excess consumption of secondary fuel oil for increase the load by 30% and 50% in sub and super critical generating stations respectively and on the whole is this stitch going to be boon or curse for the country is the question which is continuously knocking my

doors. Secondly, dealing with coal block auction, the union government seems to be happy with the revenue they are getting by the auction of the coal and it is said that the process of forward bidding for Steel and cement sectors is expected to fill the treasury of various governments by 80,000 Crores per year but is it suitable for the grand plan of Mr. Modi’s “Make in India”. Steel and Cement are the key ingredients in making the “make in India” a reality and this process of forward bidding is going to increase the cost of raw material for any manufacturing process which in turn will offset the competitive advantage we have in terms of cost of electricity and human resource. This may also reflect in the increase in manufacturing index inflation which forms the king’s share in calculating WPI inflation index which may force RBI to increase the rates which may be another detour for “Make in India”. With these doubts in place even if the whole world appreciates and India showcases its winning streak it may turn out to be winners curse.

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REN EWA BL E ENERGY

Electricity Loss, Consumption And Concerns Shivakumar Kinni, Member, IET

bstractâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Electricity is an inevitable key elementary aspect of countries development. Every year energy consumption is rapidly raising, consequently the generation capacity is unable to fulfill the demand due to the various technocommercial and socio- ecological reasons. Now to fulfill the running demand the efficiency of utilization of electricity needs to be improved and present practice of usage is also essentially to be re-innovated to achieve energy deficit. This paper reviews the various reasons of electricity wastes and how it can be minimized, predominantly demand side and how an individual or/& community can contribute is outlined in this paper. The present indicative performance of electric supply chain, why to save electricity and how to reduce consumption have also been discussed.

INTRODUCTION Electricity is an integral part of civilized society. All of us depending on the electricity in such an extent that even one hour power-cut can stop momentum of our life. But also electricity has prominence in the view of country economic growth for the development of industrial, agriculture and infrastructure sectors. Being India as worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third largest producer of electricity (5% of world total)[1] with installed capacity of 250.256GW (till July 2014) yet country is facing energy deficit of 6.0% to 6.3%(till June, 2013)[2] and still thousands of villages are deprived from the electricity, millions of people are living

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their life under the old age lantern during night. If we see the average Per-capita Energy Consumption (PEC) of India, It is just 917 kWh (2012-13)[3] & which is even lesser than the worldwide average PEC of 2600 kWh. In comparison with other developing Asian countries like China (3298 kWh), Malaysia (4246 kWh) and Thailand (2316 kWh)[4] our PEC is far away. The per capita consumption of energy is not only indicator of economic development of the country but also point outs the availability, accessibility, affordability & energy efficiency of electricity. Every year governments are bringing new power capacity addition plans through various policies to enhance the electricity generation in order to meet the supply- demand gap. Govt. initiatives will help in some extent in reducing the energy shortfalls but these plans alone will not help in long run to achieve the running target of energy demand due to underlying constraints which are related to the environmental, geographical, technical & financial aspects. However, increasing the electricity generation is inevitable but at the same time utilizing energy effectively, efficiently and responsibly is even more crucial since energy is never ending necessity. Glancing at the present energy supply chain system, the enormous amount of energy is being wasted at various steps & causing to very poor efficiency of the system. This is the most worrying and perturbative realistic fact of our current electricity system. Fig-1: Overview of electrical power system supply chain

LOSS SCENE IN ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CHAIN Take a look at current electricity system losses, it is indeed shocking! The different stage of system from transmission to distribution and subsequent consumption has its own efficiency owing to the losses which occurs in the components/equipment of the system. Due to the cascading efficiency the overall system efficiency is resulting to 50% of system efficiency. Because of this poor performance of electric supply chain end users are able to use only half of the energy which is being generated at power plant. Fig-2: Typical Losses in the electrical system chain[5]

(a) Generation efficiency depends upon the type, capacity & plant utilization factors. The same is not accounted in cascading efficiency. (b) The average T&D losses of India vary from 17% to 24% in contrast to world T&D

March-April 2015

39Â

average loss of 15%. (c) Typical Industrial, commercial & agricultural consumption/utility efficiency. (d) Total technical losses. Commercial losses are not indicated as it differs from states to state. For T&D loss End user may not be directly responsible but as a consumer we are also contributing to the overall system poor efficiency by adaptations of inefficient components, distributions and method of energy management systems within our premises. Today’s energy price rising situations each consumer and engineers those who are associated in one or other way can play key role in the process of enhancement of the system efficiency.

CONSUMPTION SHARE AND GROWTH Looking at the statistics of year 2011-12 consumptions growth rate of electricity is self-explanatory. Fig-3: Sector wise energy consumption of electricity (2011-12)[6]

Fig-4: Consumption growth in different sector in 10 years (2002-12)

In last ten years the electricity consumption is soared by 42% which means overall consumption per year increment is 4.2% since 2002. Among other sectors agricultural, domestic and commercial sector energy demand has increased at much faster pace. Hence, these sectors have considerable energy saving potentials.

L O S S C O N T R I BU T I O N EQUIPMENTS

LT distribution, distribution components like transformers, cables, switchgears, conversion devices, loads such as motor, heating, ventilation, lighting & other appliances and load characteristics. Fig-5: Typical losses in electrical components/equipment[5]

• Lack of awareness & importance of energy conservation • Use of Inefficient equipment/appliances • Mentality of ‘I can pay whatever I consume” thinking • Liability of nothing – getting free of cost, no fear of law & etc. • Unmetered loads • Negligent way of handling of energy utilities • Fail to monitoring & auditing energy consumption bills

WHY WE NEED TO SAVE/CONSERVE ELECTRICITY? SYNERGY REQUIRED FOR ENERGY SAVING Today’s essential need is to find out the latest technology, innovative techniques to improve the supply chain of the entire system with the collaborative efforts from both citizens and government end. The emphasis on the below aspects are necessary. • Efficiency improvement in each application area • Demand side management through IT • Optimized electrical system design & technology adaptation • Strict enforcement of the penalties to dishonest consumers and officers(DISCOM/ ESCOM) • Tariff rationalization w.r.t new and sustainable energy sources • Smart metering initiatives and use of energy efficiency technology solution options available. • Use electricity as judiciously and avoid wastage as possible as. • Regular monitoring and auditing of our consumptions & wastage • Encouragement to sustainable home, office, educational institutions & other buildings integrated with renewable energy generation. • Effective & timely revenue collection

WHY WE WASTE ELECTRICITY?

• To reduce electricity bills since every year the electricity price % rise is competing with our income hike %. • Electricity is not only fuel for our daily life but also vital for countries economic growth (GDP growth). • Reduce imports of fossil fuels as our import rate of fossil fuel is 38 %( 2012)[1] and it is increasing every year. • Reduce impacts of fossil fuels on environment as coal based power plant emits 1.1Kg(average) of CO2 for producing 1 unit(kWh) of electricity. •Oil, Gas & Coal are likely to last for only 20 years, 36 years & 114 years respectively as per current reserve production(R/P) ratio. •Preserve next generation as reserves are limited; we have Oil, Gas, Coal reserves of only 0.5% , 0.6% & 7% respectively of the total world reserves. • Fossil fuels are fatal in long run- Current electricity generation is predominately depending on of fossil fuels (71%) which includes; coal (59.6%), Gas (9%), Oil (0.52%) & Nuclear (1.9%) [2].

HOW TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION AND AVOID WASTAGE? There are many areas which possess significant amount of energy saving potentials. Few of such areas are emphasize here to understand the energy saving possibilities.

Often we do not waste electricity for any bad intentions but owing to our negligence and casual practices of electricity use causes wastes. The few probable reasons might be as given below;

The consumption system comprises 40

March-April 2015

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Use of energy efficient lights like LED & CFL

LED consumes 02-03 times less than CFL & 6-8 times less than Incandescent (INC). CFL consumes 04-05 times less than Incandescent. e.g.: 5W LED is equal to 15W CFL & 60W INC.

2. Use electronic chokes in place conventional choke for lighting

Electronic chokes consumes 15-20% less energy than conventional copper chokes.E.g. Ballast losses of conventional and electronic ballast are 12W & 2W respectively.

Aware before using Zero bulb

Virtually there are no such zero wattage bulbs even so-called zero bulbs also consume 10 to12W power.

Automated switching & metering of street lights

Most of the street lights will be ON in many streets even in day time this causes unnecessary wastage of energy.

Avoid standby/sleep mode losses - Switch off(after remote switch-off) all appliances like TV, UPS, Printer, Xerox machine, AV system, Unused Server, Computers & IT loads etc. During night or when not using.

Using timer based automatic switching & mandatory metering helps to control the unnecessary wastage of energy. Standby loss causes typically power loss of 10 watts per device. Many studies revealed that 5-15% of power will be wasted due to standby loss of the appliances.

6. Use Air Conditioners at optimum temperature of 23-25°C.

Operating 23oC beyond optimum temperature setting will cause energy losses. Each oC of increase temperature can save 3 to 5 % of energy consumed as per study by reducing ACEEE.

30% energy can be saved by using electronic regulators instead of using conventional knob type regulator.

Use electronic regulator for fans

8. Use refrigerators & freezer at optimum temperature of 36-38°C for refrigerator & 0-10°C for freezer.

Optimal setting of refrigerator temperature setting reduces the energy wastages.

Using washing machine with light load or under load causes waste of energy.

Use Washing machine with full load.

10. Use automatic temperature cut-off cloth Iron box

In high temperature energy consumption is high. Different cloths require different temperature for ironing. So using automated temperature cutoff shall save energy.

11. Use induction cooker than non-induction electrical cooker

10 to 15% of energy can be saved in induction cooker for same amount of heat.

12. Use of LVDC power supply in IT loads & Data centres

10 to15% of energy can be saved by using LVDC power supply to the IT loads as in present AC to DC conversion & voltage transformation process due to cascading efficiency energy is wasted and same can be

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March-April 2015

avoided by directly feeding to the loads in DC form. 13.

Adopt green/sustainable building concepts; having natural light, ventilation as much as this avoids amount of electricity need.

The average Lightning power density (LPD) of commercial building ranges from 10 ~11W/m2 depending on the type of building area. Lighting load also contributes increase in heating & ventilation load. e.g.: 1 W of lighting load can increase 0.4W of ventilation load requirement.150sq.ft area requires typically 1TR AC which requires approx 1.2~1.5kW power.

14.

Incorporate renewable energy source electricity options locally (solar rooftops/off grid systems)

It reduces the burden on electricity network and increases the reliability while working in combination with grid & storage system. PF improvement helps to use optimum equipment ratings as well as reducing the power losses & voltage drop.

15.

Reactive power compensation equipment across the inductive loads such as motors, transformers & etc.

Ensuring practical PF near to unity will enhances the effectiveness of the active energy utilization. e.g.: from improving pf from 0.8 lag to 0.95 can save 15% of active energy being wasted.

16.

Irrigation pump sets metering & efficiency enhancement

Average efficiency of pump is very poor it’s in the range of 25 to 50%. In most of the states are pump sets and unmetered and heavily subsidized. 25 to 30% of energy can be saved by agricultural pump sets though adaptation of ‘eef’ pump sets, optimizing ratings, metering’s, feeder improvisation & demand side managements.

17.

Use ‘eff’ motors

Energy efficient (eff) motors consumes 7 to 10% lesser energy compared to standard motors.

18.

Use ‘eff’ transformers

Use of energy efficient (eff) transformer < 1% losses at rated capacity reduced the same % amount of energy loss.

19.

Use of ASD/VFDs for motor rating > 5HP

30 to 60% energy can be saved depending on the type of application.

20.

Use adequate size of LT cables considering cable loss criteria

By maintaining <1% of power loss while cable sizing will help to reduce the same amount of loss.

Such many more ways can be envisaged in order to minimize the wastage. But the choice of energy efficient appliances/ equipment’s shall be mainly depends on the operational requirements, life cycle cost and Investments. Moreover, in our daily life with our attentive and deliberate approach while consumption shall help to mitigate the greater extent energy wastage.

with unprivileged peoples of our society. If

CONCLUSION Energy efficiency can be achieved with each one of our individual commitment of saving resources for forthcoming generation and willingness to share available electricity 42

March-April 2015

we can able to minimize the losses, avoid the wastage, control the consumptions, the energy deficit can be mitigated and environmental concerns can be reduced. Each one of us has responsibility in spreading

the awareness and understanding the criticalness of electrical energy saving while consuming. This is the time to think and act very purposefully in avoiding and minimizing the wastage of even one unit of electricity as the ‘1 unit energy saved by user is equal to 2 units energy generated’ in the power plant. REFERENCES [1] International Energy Agency- http://www.iea.org/ [2] Ministry of Power- http:// powermin.nic.in/ [3] CEA Report “Executive Summary Power Sector February-2014” [4] World Bank- http://data.worldbank.org/ [5] Bureau of Energy Efficiency [6] Ministry of Statistics- “Energy Statistics 2013”

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March-April 2015

43Â

SO L A R P V I NV ERT ERS

Advancement And Innovation, Green Energy PioneerTBEA Inverter In India TBEA Xi’an Electric Technology Co., Ltd.

ith the successful grid-

years of experience of TBEA in R & D and

projects and other foreign projects are

connection of PV projects

manufacturing of electrical equipment, and

the new achievements of TBEA in fully

in India, the visibility of the

has now succeeded in the development of a

implementing “going abroad” strategy and

Chinese company TBEA is further enhanced

full range of grid-connected inverters from

fully developing new energy inverter market.

in the PV industry in India. In recent years,

3kW to 2,000kW. Over the years, TBEA

inverters of TBEA have served the PV

inverter team has always focused on the

By following the philosophy of “building

projects in India for several times, and have

research of core control, PV generation

a project and creating a monument”, TBEA

participated in the Phase II project of the

equipment control and application of system

keeps its customer-oriented promises with a

national solar plan in India, and become

solution which results TBEA as a fastest

pragmatic spirit and a rigorous and reliable

one of the few inverter suppliers approved

growing PV industry in china. From the

attitude. Today, the total installed capacity

by the Indian government.

of TBEA inverters

What is the reason for the

in the world exceeds

rapid development of the

5GW, and it was listed

TBEA in India?

as the world’s top five suppliers of high-

It is reported that

power inverters by IHS

TBEA is the bearer

in a global supplier

to develop strategic

survey in 2014.

emerging industries “high-end equipment

In India the process

manufac turing, new

of internationalization

materials

strategy of TBEA,

an d

new

energy” in China. TBEA

India is an important

leads the development direction of green

early “Silk Road light” project, to the first

part. A few years ago, the company has made

energy-saving technology in the world with

licensed PV generation projects in China and

several deep market researches in India,

“green, scientific, smart, environmentally

to the National Wind/Photovoltaic/Energy

had a profound and clear understanding

friendly, reliable and efficient” high-tech and

Storage and Transmission Demonstration

and judgment of the needs of inverter

high value-added products and services and

Project in China, there is the presence and

applications in the market, and has

contributes to the sustainable development

footprint of TBEA in each milestone in the

established a good relationship of mutual

of the human society.

PV development in China.

trust with the Indian government. In 2013, a localized industrial park was established

TBEA, PV inverter industry is an

In recent years, In India 20MW project,

in Gujarat in India. The industrial park has

emerging pillar of core manufacturing

Pakistan’s 100MW project, Algeria’s 90MW

an annual gross transformer manufacturing

industry of TBEA which inherits over seventy

project, Australia projects, Malaysian

capacity of 200 Million KVA, and also covers

March-April 2015

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the new energy field

design in the R & D process

such as solar power

of inverters, significantly

station, wind energy

improves the adaptability of

power station, nuclear

this inverter to the Indian

energy power,etc.

power grid, and reduces of the impact of power fluctuations

terms

on power generation capacity

range,

in the operation process of

through a deep and

power station. TC1000KH-M

clear understanding

has gradually won recognition

product

the

m a r ke t ,

and high appraisal from the

TBEA launches the

the customers. The new generation of

industry since being launched

TC1000KH-M series (1OOOKW-Indoor

TC1000KH-M series uses three-level

into market. As of the first quarter of 2015,

Inverter) for the Indian market. This series

inverter technology, which improves the

the successful application performance of

are PV grid-connected inverters developed

power quality and power grid adaptability

this inverter has exceeded 200MW, including

based on the years of

India, Xinjiang of China and

experience of TBEA in

other places.

R & D and application of converters and

TC1000KH-M

in combination of

Liushuquan 100MW Solar

a new generation of

On-grid Project

three-level

converter technology

R el y i n g

strong

development. The

corporate strength, mature

single capacity of

talent team, leading expertise

this series can be up

and reasonable strategic

to 1.5MW, the power

layout, TBEA upholds social

density is increased

responsibility, strengthens

by 60% over the

inter-regional cooperation,

original technology,

following “going abroad”

and it integrates a

strategy, maintains a good

DC power distribution

momentum in the international

cabinet, thus saving

competition, further expands

floor

and

the company’s business areas,

greatly reducing the

and lays a solid foundation

system investment

for the sustainable, healthy

sp ace

for power stations. In terms of generating

significantly, especially the inverter output

and stable development of the company. In

capacity, the maximum efficiency up to

THDi which is stably controlled within 3% of

future, we believe TBEA will continue to

99%, the European efficiency of 98.6% and

the scope of low power level. After long-term

adhere to the same strategy of “reform and

advanced intelligent start-stop technology

application practices in India, TBEA has an

innovation”, strive for excellence, make itself

promotes a quantitative change in the

in-depth understanding of the domestic grid

bigger and stronger which leads to achieve

generating capacity of power stations and

conditions in India, and combines the actual

greater success in the Indian market!

brings substantial economic benefits for

data of Indian power grid and TC1000KH-M

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March-April 2015

SO L A R O FF GRI D

From Sun to Drinking Water: Solar Drinking Water Pumps Success Story Milind Arbatti Sr. Manager - Application & Business Development Rotomag Motors & Controls Pvt. Ltd.

Delivering adequate water supplies is a major issue for both developing and developed countries. Lack of mains electricity, or issues with fuel supplies, can make it difficult or expensive to provide power to pump water from underground aquifers or other sources. Photovoltaic power, created by sunlight, is the answer: and Rotomag are pioneers in this technology with our indigenous capabilities and core competence for Solar Water applications. With over 8000 installations across the country we have mastered our “100% Made In India” technology of Permanent Magnet DC Motors (PMDC) and Brush-less DC Motors (BLDC); we continue to bring in consistent innovations and improvements for our end customers. As per the data in 2013 there are about 32,50,000 registered and installed hand pumps in remote and rural parts of India for access to deep and drinkable water. However in reality very few of them are operational due to service issues and water depths in arid conditions. In draught conditions where water levels go below 50 meters, it is extremely challenging to pump water using hand pumps. It is a very common picture of India during summer seasons where one can observe a long queue for these operational hand pumps. Many lady villagers and children have to walk over a few kilometres, carrying water pots on their head to fetch drinking water for their families. Rotomag’s solution for Drinking Water application RDW series for extreme deep well application has been an excellent solution and a case study for remote and underdeveloped locations in India. This is an effortless solution for drinking water and moreover it brings in a great opportunity of overhead water storage eliminating any need of water monitoring and consumption pattern. The solution offers considerable

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advantages over traditional solar pump installations in terms of. • Simple installation and guidance • Exceptional reliability • Continuous water support under arid conditions • Maximum pumping efficiency at all times – Early start late stop. • Low on maintenance • Fully automatic operation • Excellent return on investment – Water output more than commitment! The RDW pumps can be installed in the same bore well of that of the hand pump and requires no additional bore well or space for that matter. This solution is commonly termed as hybrid pump making it extremely easy for both manual and solar powered operation for water utilization and storage. As a 100% Made in India and Made for India product; Rotomag’s RDW solar pump series offers several advantages making the pumps practically maintenance free. The brush- less DC (BLDC) technology on primary basis eliminates the requirement of changing the brushes or the tedious process of removing the pump for maintenance. The most advanced and state of the art bearings and seals make sure that the pump can last for a very long duration of life before it is removed for maintenance. The stainless steel casing (SS304) ensures durability and resistance to harsh water conditions in the bore well. BLDC pumps comprise of rare eath magnets at the heart of the system. This technology ensures much higher starting torque making it possible to run the system even under muddy water conditions. The pumps are powered by a true maximum point power tracking (MPPT) controller ensuring maximum water delivery under all the irradiation levels. The controller is completely seal proof (IP 65) and designed to operate under harsh environmental conditions up to 50°C which

is a reality in India during peak summer times. The MPPT controller also has all the required protections like auto ON-Off, Dry Run Protection, Overflow protection and other overload protections required or safe and long term operation of the pump. Complete encapsulated windings and stainless steel motor shaft makes the system very light and long lasting. For example, a 3 HP pump practically weights one third as that of any traditional AC pump making it very easy for pulling out the pump for operational maintenance in rare occasions. Proven in practice, the Rotomag’s RDW system delivers a wide range of benefits and a great future to change the scenario of Drinking Water pumps in the country. Above article depicts a case of typical installation of our RDW series pump and some real facts and testimonials in the field.

The Success Story! Chandrapur, better known as the coal capital of the state of Maharashtra and a powerhouse with over 6600 MW of thermal power capacity supplies electricity to major Western and Central belt of India. The location is also known for its extreme environmental conditions and deep water tables during summer seasons. In spite of having such a large capacity of power production some of the very nearby villages lack electricity and heavy load shading due to power evacuation issues. At two of the locations near Chandrapur viz. Gughus and Rajuri; Rotomag has installed about 10 Drinking Water pumps to suffice the domestic need for drinking water. The pumps have been installed at an average water levels of 150 feet and supplied with a standard complete drinking water solution comprising of Water Pump, Modules, Structures, Balance of Systems, Overhead water tank and other piping work over the existing hand pumps as depicted in the image below:

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Fig.1 : Schematic of a typical DC Submercible Drinking Water Pump The typical village size of these locations where the pumps have been installed is about 150 families. With a daily requirement of about 30 to 50 liters of water per family; the pump is delivering more over 5000-7000 liters of water from the bore-wells. Starting early in the morning at around 8 AM where water requirement and storage is at its peak the pump is sufficiently filling in 5000 liters of overhead tank. After initial hours of water requirement the system ensures that the overhead tank is filled suffice the early morning requirements of the next day. At all the locations the villagers aver very happy and satisfied with the overall performance of the pump as this has freed their life from the hand pumps and draught conditions in peak summer where water levels are to its abyss.

Site location: Village : Ghugus Dist: Chandrapur, MAHARASHTRA Location :Gautam Nagar (Coordinates : 17° 58’ 24.9’ N; 73° 53’ 10.3’ E) Borewell Depth : 150 ft with existing installed handpump. Pump Model: RDW 900 Solar Module Capacity: 900 Wp ( Make Aditi Solar 300 Wp X 3 Numbers in series) Pump Start time: 8:00 AM Stop Time: 5:00 PM Peak Summer Temperature: At around 4547° C Hourly Discharge of the pump at peak irradiation conditions: 3000 Litres/Hour Daily discharge from the pump at peak summer conditions: 7000-8000 Liters

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Fig. 2 : RDW 900 Pump Installed at Gautam Nagar in Ghugus At Ghugus, the each system was successfully installed in less than a day’s work. The solar pumping systems have brought in a tremendous change and freedom to the villagers from unreliable water conditions and hand pump operation which becomes cumbersome especially for the women and children.

improve the life of our customers delivering them more and reliable source of water. We aim not to sell solar powered pumps but make drinking water available for every

“Solar pump has made our life very easy in terms of water availability throughout the year; especially in summer seasons where we have to sometimes walk over 2 kilometers just to fetch 2 buckets of water” – Lady Villager in Gautamnagar “The possibility of water storage has immensely helped us to plan our water consumption activities and freedom from regular pumping schedule. Before having the solar pump in out village there used to be a long queue at the hand pump and heavy unreliability in the summer ” – Farmer in Shantinagar The system needs a regular maintenance

remote location and from the deepest well improving life of millions of people who are deprived of even clean water. Solar drinking water pumps poise a tremendous opportunity to change the rural drinking water situations and we are at the forefront with our technological backbone and nationwide support.

only in terms of cleaning the modules and a seasonal tilt as provided for manual tracking. Rotomag has also set up a local maintenance/ service center in Nagpur with the help of its local system integrator; ensuring a support within 24 hours in an event of any service issue. The entire team for maintenance and support has been specifically trained at Rotomag’s training academy at the head quarters.

Conclusion: Increasing population for a developing nation and depleting water levels is always going to be a big challenge. Water is a fundamental element of life and using our BLDC solar technology we have envisaged how a drinking water pump can bring in a great change in life. At Rotomag we thrive to bring in more innovation and ideas in our products to

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P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Development Of Solar Power In Andhra Pradesh – Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Policy, 2015..... Ajay jain secretary to government

In order to promote solar power projects, the government of andhra pradesh have issued orders formulating andhra pradesh solar power policy, 2012 under the policy, 34.85 Mw capacity solar power projects were only commissioned before 30th june, 2014 though it was envisaged to add 2000 mw capacity by the group of ministers constituted for the purpose of promotion of renewable energy. This policy is applicable up to the year 2017 and the incentives were applicable only for the projects commissioned up to 30th june, 2014. Further, due to bifurcation of the state, it is felt necessary to come out with a new comprehensive policy for promotion of solar power to meet the demand for power in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Andhra pradesh is poised for rapid industrial growth driven by infrastructure investments and has also been selected by ministry of power as one of the pilot states for implementation of the 24x7 – power for all (pfa) scheme. Solar energy can become an important source in meeting the growing power requirements of the state. Ap has large agriculture consumption constituting around 24% of the total energy consumption of the state. Solar power can also help shift the agriculture load and meet the power demand during the day time. The state government is keen to tap the immense solar potential and promote this clean source of energy to meet the rising energy requirements of the state.

Government, after detailed discussions on the proposal vide reference 3rd cited, with various stake holders viz., Aptransco, apdiscoms, nredcap, solar power developers & solar manufacturers association hereby issue the andhra pradesh power policy, 2015 as mentioned below:

The following factors make andhra pradesh an ideal location for setting up solar power projects:

Andhra pradesh solar power policy - 2015 preamble

• Amongst the best performing power distributing companies in india (apepdcl and apspdcl).

India is blessed with abundant sunshine and solar power is expected to play a critical role in meeting the energy needs of the country in the long run. Solar power projects can be setup in a much shorter timeframe when compared to conventional power projects and the cost of solar power has become more economical today. Solar power can also help meet energy requirements for both grid connected as well as offgrid applications such as solar powered agricultural pumpsets. 48

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• Availability of about 300 sunny days in a year with solar insolation of more than 5 kwh/m²/day.

• An efficient and strong evacuation infrastructure that can facilitate distributed generation.

Accordingly, the incentives under the solar policy were available for solar power projects commissioned before 30.06.2014. To meet the twin objectives of energy security and clean energy considerations, the goap has felt it necessary to come out with a new policy for solar power. The policy aims to promote widespread usage of solar power and to meet the following objectives.

Objectives: 1 To target a minimum total solar power capacity addition of 5,000 mw in the next five years in the state with a view to meet the growing demand for power in an environmentally sustainable manner. 2 To develop solar park(s) with the necessary utility infrastructure facilities to encourage developers to set up solar power projects in the state. 3 To promote distributed generation that can help in avoiding upstream network cost and contribute towards loss reduction. 4 To deploy solar powered agricultural pumpsets and meet power requirements of farmers during day time. 5 To promote local manufacturing facilities which will generate employment in the state.

Operative period The government of andhra pradesh had earlier issued the “andhra pradesh solar power policy – 2012” vide g.O.Ms.No.39 Dated 26.09.2012 And g.O.Ms no.44 Dated 16.11.2012 To promote solar power generation in the state.

This policy shall come into operation with effect from the date of issuance and shall remain applicable for a period of five (5) years and/ or shall remain in force till such time a new policy is issued.

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Solar power projects (spp) that are commissioned during the operative period shall be eligible for the incentives declared under this policy, for a period of ten(10) years from the date of commissioning unless otherwise the period is specifically mentioned for any incentive.

2. Eligible developers All registered companies, government entities, partnership companies/ firms, Individuals and all consumers of apdiscom(s) will be eligible for setting up of solar power projects within the state for sale of electricity/captive use, in accordance with the electricity act-2003, as amended from time to time. The entity desiring to set up solar power project shall intimate the nodal agency as per the para (5) of this policy.

Solar power projects Sale of power to ap discom(s) The government will promote setting up of solar power projects for sale of power to apdiscoms. It is envisaged that the discoms would procure around 2,000 mw of solar power capacity in a phased manner within the next five (5) years. The discoms would enter into long term ppa of 25 years with developers who are selected based on a competitive procurement process.

Third party sale / captive use The government will encourage solar power producers to set up solar power projects for captive use within the state or third party sale within and outside the state of andhra pradesh. These projects will also qualify for renewable energy certificates (recs) subject to applicable regulations/ guidelines issued by the appropriate commission.

Solar parks The govt. Of a.P will develop solar parks with capacity additions of around 2,500 mw in the next five (5) years to promote solar power projects development in clusters of 500-1000 hectares. The state government, under this policy, will help facilitate in building up the necessary infrastructure like power evacuation, water requirements and internal roads. Solar park shall consist of various zones viz. Solar power projects, manufacturing

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zones, r & d and training centres. The state will extend all facilities and fiscal incentives provided by central government/ national solar mission to the manufacturers in solar parks. Special purpose vehicle(s) (spv’s) will be established for development of infrastructure and management of solar park. The spv will formulate policy and Rules in respect of land allotment, sharing of development cost by the solar power producers and manufacturers. The spv will develop the initial infrastructure from the funds allocated by goi and goap, which will be subsequently recovered from the solar power producers whose projects are located in solar parks by levying development charges.

Solar rooftop projects – gross/net metering The government will promote solar rooftop systems on public buildings, domestic, commercial and industrial establishments on gross and or net meter basis. The consumer(s) are free to choose either net or gross meter option for sale of power to discom under this policy. The applicable tariff for either of the cases shall be equal to the average cost to serve of the discom which will be determined by aperc every year. For example, the average cost to serve approved by aperc for fy 2013-14 is rs 5.25 Per unit. This facility shall be extended for a period of 25 years for eligible developers who set up solar rooftop projects within the operating period of this policy. The metering facility will be extended for all eligible developers who intend to set-up solar photovoltaic plants at their premises. Eligible developers who wish to avail the metering facility will have to apply through online mode to the discoms – either on their websites and/or through designated mee seva / customer service centres. All approvals/clearances shall be disposed by the respective discom within 14 days from the date of application the projects of capacity upto 1000 kwp at a single location will be permitted. Permission will be given to the group of persons/societies to set up solar power projects and will be treated as collective generation for supply of power to the households of each society /group member. The discoms will deduct the above energy

from the consumed energy of individual service connections and balances (either excess or lower) can be billed on net metering basis. No distribution losses and charges will be collected from the group/ society/ individuals by the discoms. Eligible developers are allowed to avail the relevant subsidies and incentives from mnre under jnnsm scheme. The eligible subsidy for net metering systems may be processed through nredcap (nodal agency) or channel partners of mnre, goi. The sanction and release of the subsidy will be as per the guidelines issued by mnre from time to time. The modalities for implementing the rooftop policy including metering, billing, settlement, payment(s) and technical aspects etc. Shall be issued by apepdcl within 30 days from the date of issue of this policy, which would be followed by all discoms in the state.

Solar pumpsets The state government in collaboration with the central govt/mnre/mop/multilateral agencies will undertake measures to enable gradual replacement of conventional pumpsets to solar powered pumpsets through subsidy support. Nodal agency will facilitate with government agencies for availing subsidies, grants and/ or incentives on behalf of apdiscoms. It is envisaged that 50,000 solar powered pumpsets will be operational in the state in the next five years without any additional financial burden on the farmers. The modalities of the scheme will be developed in consultation with all the stakeholders within 30 days from the date of issue of this policy.

Incentives from the state government To enable solar power capacity addition in the state, following incentives shall be provided for eligible developers for those projects setting-up during the operative period mentioned in the para one (1).

transmission and distribution charges Transmission and distribution charges for wheeling of power transmission and distribution charges shall be exempted for wheeling of power generated from solar power projects for only captive use/third

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party sale within the state.

Distribution losses Distribution losses shall be exempted only for solar power projects injecting at 33 kv or below irrespective of voltage-level of the delivery point within the discom.

Energy banking Banking of 100% of energy shall be permitted for all captive and open access/ scheduled consumers during all 12 months of the year. Banking charges shall be adjusted in kind @ 2% of the energy delivered at the point of drawal. The banking year shall be from april to march. Drawals from banked energy shall not be permitted during five (5) month period from 1st april to 30th june and 1st february to 31st march of each financial year. In addition, drawls of banked energy during the time of the day (tod) applicable during the peak hours, as specified in the respective retail supply tariff order, shall also not be permitted throughout the year. However, the provisions on banking pertaining to drawal restrictions shall be reviewed based on the power supply position in the state. Energy injected into the grid from date of synchronization to commercial operation date (cod) will be considered as deemed energy banking. The unutilized banked energy shall be considered as deemed purchase by discom(s) at the pooled power purchase cost as determined by the aperc for the applicable year. Energy settlement shall be done on monthly basis.

Open access Intra-state open access clearance for the whole tenure of the project or 25 years whichever is earlier will be granted as per the aperc regulations amended from time to time. In absence of any response or intimation from the nodal agency to the generator within 21 days, then such application shall be considered to be deemed open access.

Electricity duty Electricity duty shall be exempted for captive consumption, sale to discom(s) and third party sale provided the source of power is from solar power projects setup within the state. 50

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Cross subsidy surcharge Cross subsidy surcharge shall be exempted for third party sale provided the source of power is from solar power projects setup within the state for a period of five (5) years from the date of commissioning of the spp.

Contract demand Scheduled consumers shall avail reduction in contract demand for a period of five (5) years from the date of commissioning of the project. Scheduled consumers shall have the same meaning as defined in balancing and settlement code regulations issued by aperc and amended from time to time. The demand credit shall be computed based on the average solar power consumption during hourly time block period(s). An illustration is shown below: • Solar power consumption in a month (kvah) = 1000 • Hourly time-blocks in a month (hours) = 24x30 = 720 • Applicable demand credit = 1000/720 = 1.38 (Kw)

Renewable energy certificate (rec) All projects developed with the above incentives will be eligible for rec benefits subject to applicable regulations/ orders of the appropriate commission. Deemed injection into the grid for in-house/ co-located solar generation will also be eligible for rec benefits subject to applicable guidelines.

Grid connectivity and evacuation facility The power generated from a solar power project shall be injected at an appropriate voltage at the sub-station and/ or interconnection point of the aptransco / discom(s). The eligible developer shall bear the entire cost of construction of power evacuation facilities from the project upto the interconnection point and/or upto aptransco / discom(s) substation. The eligible developer shall abide by the orders, rules, regulations and terms and conditions as approved by the commission from time to time for operation of solar power projects, power evacuation, transmission and wheeling of energy. Solar power projects will be exempted from paying the supervision charges to aptransco/

discom(s) towards the internal evacuation infrastructure within the project site and upto interconnection point. Aptransco /discom(s) will dispose the proposals for the technical feasibility for evacuation within 14 days from the date of receipt of application. Any upstream system strengthening requirement shall be borne by aptransco/ discom(s) on a priority basis.

Deemed industry status Generation of electricity from solar power projects shall be treated as eligible industry under the schemes administered by the industries department and incentives available to industrial units under such schemes shall be available to the solar power producers.

Deemed public private partnership (ppp) status Deemed ppp status shall be provided for projects coming up under category (a) as per para (3) of this policy.

Non agriculture status Deemed non-agricultural (na) status for the land where solar power projects will be accorded, on payment of applicable statutory fees.

Must run status Injection from solar power projects shall be considered to be deemed scheduled.

Land It is the responsibility of the project developer to acquire the land requiredfor the project. However, in case of land owned by revenue department,the land allotment shall be done as per the prevailing government policy.

Pollution clearance Solar pv power projects will be exempted from obtaining anynoc/consent for establishment under pollution control laws from appollution control board.

Nodal agency New and renewable energy development corporation of a.P. Ltd (nredcap) shall act as a nodal agency under this policy and as decided by the government from time to time. The nodal agency and/or designated offices by the nodal agency shall be

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responsible for the following activities:

clearance support as per the above para.

•

Migration of solar projects registered under A.P. Solar power policy 2012

Facilitate in obtaining revenue land wherever is required. • Facilitate in getting power evacuation and/or open access as per the regulation issued by aperc and amended from time to time. • Facilitate water allocation from concerned departments. • Facilitate and process of proposals for availing subsidy for solar rooftop systems as per mnre guidelines. • Co-ordinate with mnre/seci/aptransco/ discom(s) and any other central/ state agencies in obtaining necessary clearances, approvals, grants and subsidies. An online system will be established by the nodal agency for acceptance of applications and for providing status updates. The developers will be given a login access for tracking the status updates. All approvals/clearances shall be disposed within 30 days from the date of registration. The modalities for operating the single window clearance mechanism shall be developed within 30 days from the date of issue of this policy.

Administrative approval The applications received from the eligible developers as per the provisions of this policy should be in the prescribed format along with a registration fee of rs.1000 For capacities upto 5 kwp; rs. 5,000 For capacities above 5 kwp to 100 kwp; rs,10,000 for capacities above 100 kwp to 1000kwp and rs.10,000 Per mw for capacities more than 1000 kwp. In addition, a facilitation fees of rs 25 per kw shall be applicable for the eligible developer who seeks assistance from the nodal agency for obtaining single window

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A onetime opportunity will be extended to all solar power project developers other than those who have already signed ppas and registered under ap solar power policy 2012 and not commissioned before 30th june, 2014 to migrate to the new policy. Such developers shall register with the nodal agency within two months from the date of notification of the new policy.

Project monitoring committee A “high level committee” constituted with the following members will monitor the progress of implementation of the solar power projects cleared under the policy: • Secretary, energy department • Chairman and managing director, aptransco • Cmd of apdiscom(s) • Vc & md, nredcap( member-convener) • Representative of fapcci/cii • Representatives (2) of solar power developers

and equipment’s, ancillaries related to solar power projects only. • Priority allotment of government land in solar parks on long term lease basis • Exemption from electricity duty for a period of ten (10) years

Mid-term review State govt. May undertake a mid-term review of this policy after a period of two years or as and when need arises in view of any technological breakthrough or to remove any inconsistency with electricity act 2003, rules and regulations made there under or any govt. Of india policy.

Power to remove difficulties If any difficulty arises in giving effect to this policy, energy department is authorized to issue clarification as well as interpretation to such provisions, as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty either on its own motion or after hearing those parties who have represented for change in any provision. (By order and in the name of the governor of andhra pradesh)

If any difficulty arises in giving effect to this policy, the high level committee is authorized to issue clarification as well as interpretation to such provisions, as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficultly either on its own motion or after hearing those parties who have represented.

Solar manufacturing The government intends to promote solar manufacturing facility that can help develop the solar eco-system and support job creation potential in the state. The following incentives shall be applicable for new manufacturing facilities

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P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

The Wind Power Policy Andhra Pradesh, 2015 Energy, Infrastructure & Investment Department, Development Of Wind Power In Andhra Pradesh

In order to promote wind power projects, the government of andhra Pradesh have issued orders andhra pradesh wind power policy,2012 vide references 1st and 2nd read above. The operative period of policy was 5 years and it expired in april, 2013, considering, the good wind power potential existing in the state and to achieve 4000 mw capacity addition through wind power during the next 5 years period, there is a need to bring out comprehensive wind power policy.Government, after detailed discussions on the proposal vide reference 3rd cited with various stakeholders viz., Aptransco., Apdiscoms, nredcap wind power developers and associations etc., Hereby issue as mentioned below: Preamble India is amongst the largest wind power markets in the world. Wind power is already economical in comparison to conventional power sources and andhra pradesh has a huge wind power potential that is yet to be harnessed. The wind power potential in the combined state of andhra pradesh as estimated by the national institute of wind energy (niwe) , formerly known as centre for wind energy technology (c-wet) is around 14,497 mw at 80 m level with maximum potential existing in the districts of ananthapur, kadapa, kurnool, chittoor and nellore districts. The government of andhra pradesh has earlier issued “wind power policy”, vide g.O.Ms.No.48 Dated 11.04.2008 And g.O.Ms.No.99 Dated 09.09.2008, To promote wind power projects. Since the policy operative period was for five (5) years, 52

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the policy expired in april, 2013. Taking into consideration the rising power requirements of the state post bifurcation and clean energy considerations, the government of andhra pradesh is keen to promote wind power generation in a big way.

Objectives: To encourage, develop and promote wind power generation in the state with a view to meet the growing demand for power in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. To attract private investment to the state for the establishment of large wind power projects. To promote investments for setting up manufacturing facilities in the state, which can generate gainful local employment.

Operative period The policy shall come into operation with effect from the date of issuance and shall remain applicable for a period of five (5) years and/ or shall remain in force till such time a new policy is issued. Wind power projects that are commissioned during the operative period shall be eligible for the incentives declared under this policy, for a period of ten (10) years from the date of commissioning – unless the period is specifically mentioned for any incentive.

Eligible developers All registered companies, joint venture companies, central and state power generation/ distribution companies and

public / private sector wind power developers will be eligible for setting up of wind power projects, either for the purpose of captive/ group captive use and/or for selling of electricity to the utilities or third parties, in accordance with the electricity act-2003, as amended from time to time. The entity desiring to set up wind power project(s), either for sale of power and/ or for captive use/group captive use of power within or outside the state, shall inform the nodal agency as per the para (9) of this policy.

Category of wind power projects Category i projects set up in government/ revenue lands or forest areas or assigned lands and also in private lands selling power within the state. Category i (i) projects set up for captive use or group captive use /3rd party sale within or outside the state. Category i (ii) sale of power at average power purchase cost and availing renewable energy certificate (rec) Category i: projects set up in government / revenue lands or forest areas or assigned lands and also in private lands selling power within the state power generated from the wind power projects installed entirely or partly on government/ revenue land or forest areas shall be for sale within the state only. The govt. Of a.P. May consider proposals for allotment of revenue land if available - at the wind power potential areas on first come first serve basis- based on recommendation

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of nredcap, as per the provisions of new land allotment policy announced by the government vide g.O. Ms. No: 571, dt: 1409-2012 of revenue (assignment-i) dept. To facilitate faster execution of projects, the district collector shall handover advance possession of land including pathways to nredcap and the land shall be allotted in the joint name of nredcap and the developer. The concerned district collector after taking into account all the necessary undertakings of land proposal shall permit the developer to start the construction. Nredcap shall withdraw its rights from the land once the project gets commissioned. In case of forest areas, the developers shall submit the application through the nodal agency to the forest department, to consider for allotment as per the guidelines/ regulations laid down by the forest department from time to time. If the wind farm is set up in private land then the eligible developer shall procure the land from the landholder on their own. Category ii: captive use or group captive use /direct sale to 3rd party sale within the state/states other than a.P. State the state will promote wind power producers to set up wind power projects with no cap on capacity for captive use/ group captive or sale of power to 3rd party within the state/states other than andhra pradesh. These projects will also qualify for renewable energy certificates (recs) subject to applicable regulations/ guidelines issued by the appropriate commission. Category i (ii) : projects under renewable energy certificate mechanism the state will promote wind power producers to set up wind power projects with no cap on capacity for sale through renewable energy certificate (rec) mechanism. The wind power producers will be required to apply for accreditation to the state accreditation agency and thereafter to central agency for registration and issuance of re certificate under rec mechanism as per order/regulations of the appropriate commission. The power generated from these power projects shall be purchased by apdiscoms at pooled cost of power purchase as determined by aperc

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from time to time.

Capacity allotment The wind power projects shall be allowed in the areas notified by mnre or in the areas where wind monitoring studies have been undertaken by mnre/niwe/nredcap/goap. In case wind resource assessment studies are proposed to be undertaken by the private developers, the capacity allotment will be considered only on submission of the wind data validation report of niwe. The area applied for development of wind farm shall be clearly marked on a toposheet and google map with the proposed capacity to be developed in that area. Nredcap shall be responsible for capacity allotment for upto 40 mw and to recommend capacity allotment beyond 40 mw to government of ap.

Wind resource assessment studies in private sector Permission for carrying out wind resource assessment (wra) and subsequent development at self-identified locations by the private entities will be given by the nodal agency on a first come first serve basis and will be governed by mnre circular no. 51/9/2007-We dated 20.06.2008 For wind measurement & subsequent development by private sector. The applicant needs to clearly demarcate the project boundaries in a topo-sheet (scale 1:50000) where it is proposed to conduct the wra study. All applications received will be scrutinised to ensure that the site identified has not been allotted to any other entity for wra study as on the application date or is not within 5km radius from NIWE/NREDCAP proven or on-going wind masts as on the application date. Such WRA studies shall be completed within 24 months from date of signing of mou with nredcap. After completion of wind monitoring exercise, the applicant will be provided an exclusive period of 180 days from the expiry date of mou to get the data authenticated by niwe and make an application for capacity allotment. If the project is not applied for capacity allotment, the permission granted for private wra study shall be cancelled. The applicant is also required to provide

an undertaking to NREDCAP, with a copy to niwe, indicating that niwe can share the data to nredcap for subsequent/additional capacity allotments in the proposed (or balance) area.

Solar and wind hybrid power projects To enable better utilization of common infrastructure and related facilities, solar and wind hybrid power projects shall be encouraged in the state. The tariff for such solar projects shall be as determined by aperc.

Repowering The wind power developers will be encouraged to install higher capacity and improved technology wind electric generators (wegs) by undertaking appropriate micrositing studies in order to optimally utilize the available wind resource potential at the project sites. In respect of projects where lower capacity and lower hub height WEGS were installed and which have completed more than 15 years of life, proposals will be considered for replacing older turbines with higher capacity wegs. In such cases, approval will be granted - subject to amendment of power purchase agreement (ppa) with extension of time period for another 25 years. The t ariff payable for energy corresponding to the additional capacity available ue to repowering of such projects shall be as per the applicable tariff determined by aperc from time to time.

GoAP Incentives To enable wind power capacity addition in the state, following incentives shall be provided for eligible developers for those projects setting during the operative period mentioned in the para one (1).

Power Evacuation The eligible developer shall bear the entire cost of power evacuation facilities for interconnecting the wind farm with the grid. The eligible developer shall abide by the orders, rules, regulations and terms and conditions as approved by aperc from time to time for operation of wind farms, power

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evacuation, transmission and wheeling of energy. Wind power projects will be exempted from paying the supervision charges to aptransco/discom towards the internal evacuation infrastructure within the wind farm site and upto pooling sub-station. All electrical installations within wind farm site and upto pooling sub-station shall be as per the statutory requirements and shall be certified by the chief electrical inspector general (ceig) or any other statutory authority. Aptransco/discom will dispose the proposals for the technical feasibility for evacuation within 14 days from the date of receipt of application. Any upstream system strengthening requirement shall be borne by aptransco/discom on a priority basis.

Transmission and distribution charges for wheeling of power There will be no transmission and distribution charges for wheeling of power generated from wind power projects, to the desired location/s for captive use/third party sale within the state through grid. However, the transmission and distribution charges for wheeling of power generated from the wind power projects for sale outside the state shall be as per regulations of aperc. The 3rd party sale by eligible developers under this policy will be permitted only to ht – i category consumers as categorized in tariff orders and as per the regulations issued by aperc from time to time.

Energy banking

permitted throughout the year. However, the provisions on banking pertaining to drawal restrictions shall be reviewed based on the power supply position in the state.

Must run status

Energy injected into the grid from date of synchronization to commercial operation date (COD) will be considered as deemed energy banking.

Pollution clearance

The unutilized banked energy shall be considered as deemed purchase by discoms at the pooled power purchase cost as determined by the aperc for the applicable year. Energy settlement shall be done on monthly basis.

New and renewable energy development corporation of a.P. Ltd (nredcap) shall act as a nodal agency under this policy and as decided by the government from time to time. The nodal agency and/or designated offices by the nodal agency shall be responsible for facilitating single window clearance of the projects for the following activities:

• • • • •

Deemed public private partnership (ppp) status Deemed ppp status shall be provided for projects coming up under category i and have entered into a ppa with apdiscom for sale of power.

Drawals from banked energy shall not be permitted during five (5) month period from 1st april to 30th june and 1st february to 31st march of each financial year. In addition, drawls of banked energy during the time of the day (tod) applicable during the peak hours, as specified in the respective retail supply tariff order, shall also not be

Generation of electricity from wind power projects shall be treated as eligible industry under the schemes administered by the industries department and incentives available to industrial units under such schemes shall be available to the wind power producers.

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Nodal agency

All wind power projects are exempted from paying electricity duty in case of sale of power to apdiscom.

Non agriculture status

Wind power projects will be exempted from obtaining any noc/consent for establishment under pollution control laws from ap pollution control board.

Electricity duty

Banking of 100% of energy shall be permitted during all 12 months of the year. Banking charges shall be adjusted in kind @ 2% of the energy delivered at the point of drawal. The banking year shall be from april to march.

Injection from wind power projects shall be considered to be deemed scheduled subject to prevailing regulations/grid code of appropriate commission.

Deemed non-agricultural (na) status for the land where wind power projects will be accorded, on payment of applicable statutory fees.

Deemed industry status

•

registration of projects allotment of capacity of projects processing of proposals for allotment of revenue land or forest land. arranging approval for power evacuation plan and open access. arranging other statutory clearances/ approvals if any. co-ordination with mnre/seci/aptransco/ apdiscoms and other central and state agencies.

An online system will be established by the nodal agency for acceptance of applications and for providing status updates. The developers will be given a login access for tracking the status updates. All approvals/ clearances shall be disposed within 30 days from the date of registration. 10 Time lines for project completion the eligible developers should enter into a project agreement along with the applicable fees and bank guarantees with the nodal agency within two (2) months from the date of sanction of the capacity allotment. In case of wind power projects allotted in revenue lands, the project shall be commissioned within 18 months from the date of possession of revenue lands and/ or issue of power evacuation clearance, whichever is later. In case of wind power projects allotted in private lands, the

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projects shall be commissioned within 18 months from the date of issue of power evacuation clearance. In case of revenue and private lands, if there is no development at the site, even after three (3) years from the date of sanction, the site may be offered to any other developer by the nodal agency. The nodal agency would be at liberty to invite bids for setting up wind power projects in such sites, where no development is taken up within prescribed period. In such cases, the government may resume the lands so allotted or acquire the land purchased by the developers at the same price at which the sale deeds were registered and offer the lands to other developers by inviting bids.

Manufacturing The government intends to promote wind turbine manufacturing facilities that can contribute towards wind sector development in the state. The following incentives shall be applicable for new manufacturing facilities and equipment’s, ancillaries related to wind power projects only. • Priority allotment of government land on long term lease basis • Exemption from electricity duty for a period of ten (10) years for consumption of electricity from the first year of operation.

Applicability of this policy for wind

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power projects approved under earlier policy This policy is applicable in respect of all wind power projects which are not commissioned as on date of notification of this policy in the state of andhra pradesh.

Project monitoring A “high level committee” constituted with the following members will monitor the progress of implementation of the wind power policy:

• • • • •

Secretary, energy department Chairman and managing director, aptransco Cmd of apdiscoms V.C.& Managing director, nredcap( member-convener) Representative of indian wind turbine manufacturers association (iwtma)

years or as and when need arises in view of any technological breakthrough or to remove any inconsistency with electricity act 2003, rules and regulations made there under or any govt. Of india policy.

Representative of indian wind power association (iwpa) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to this policy, the high level committee is authorized to issue clarification as well as interpretation to such provisions, as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficultly either on its own motion or after hearing those parties who have represented.

Mid-term review State govt. May undertake a mid-term review of this policy after a period of two

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P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Regulations For Net Metering And Grid Connectivity Of Grid Connected Rooftop & Small Solar Photovoltaic Systems. RAJASTHAN ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Short title, extent and commencement

shall not exceed 30% of the capacity of the distribution transformer:

These regulations shall be called the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Connectivity and Net Metering for Rooftop and Small Solar Grid Interactive Systems) Regulations, 2015, in short, RERC Net Metering Regulations, 2015.

The distribution licensee shall update distribution transformer level capacity available for connecting Rooftop PV Solar Power Plants under net metering arrangement on yearly basis and shall provide the information on its website as well as to the Commission.

These Regulations shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

Eligible Consumer and Individual Project Capacity

Scope and application These Regulations shall apply to the distribution licensee and consumers of the distribution licensee availing supply from it in its area of supply in the State of Rajasthan. The Eligible Consumer may install the rooftop solar system under net metering arrangement which, • shall be within the permissible rated capacity as defined under these Regulations. • shall be located on the consumer premises. • shall interconnect and operate safely in parallel with the distribution licensee network. These Regulations do not preclude the right of State Nodal Agency or Distribution Licensee of the State to undertake Rooftop PV Solar Power Plants of 1 MWp and above capacity through alternative mechanisms.

Connectivity of Roof Top PV Solar Power Plants The cumulative capacity to be allowed at a particular distribution transformer 56

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(1) All Eligible Consumers of electricity in the area of supply of the distribution licensee having or proposing to install a roof top solar energy system may opt for grid connectivity subject to the net metering arrangement pursuant to these Regulations. (2) The maximum Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant capacity to be installed at any Eligible Consumer premises shall not be more than 80% of the sanctioned connected load/contract demand of the consumer; (3) The capacity of Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant to be installed at the Premises of any Eligible Consumer shall be more than one kilo watt peak minimum and shall not be more than one Mega Watt peak (1000 kWp) subject to the condition as specified in sub-regulation (2). Provided that the capacity of the solar energy system shall be in conformity with the provisions relating to the connected load or contract demand permissible under the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Connected Matters) Regulations, 2004 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Procedure for application The Eligible Consumer who proposes to install a solar energy system in his premises shall apply in the application form (Annexure – II), which the distribution licensee shall notify on its website as downloadable as well as make available at the relevant subdivisional office of the distribution licensee along with the application fees as specified in the schedule (Annexure-III) of these Regulations. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of the Eligible Consumer’s application, the distribution licensee shall provide written notice that it has received all documents required by the standard interconnection agreement or indicate how the application is deficient. The Distribution Licensee shall assess the feasibility and intimate the Eligible Consumer within fifteen days from the receipt of completed application. The feasibility shall be valid for a period of one month, unless extended by the Distribution Licensee. Provided that if the Distribution Licensee determines that an interconnection study is necessary as per sub regulation (5), the Distribution Licensee shall intimate feasibility or otherwise within sixty (60) days from the receipt of completed application. While intimating the feasibility for the connection of Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant as specified in sub-regulation(4), the Distribution Licensee shall also intimate the Eligible Consumer:RERC Net-Metering Regulations, 2015

• •

The details of documents to be submitted by the Eligible Consumer. Particulars of any deficiencies, if

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• •

noticed, along with instructions to remove such defects. Details of any interconnection study required. The amount of security deposit for the installation of the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant as specified in the schedule at Annexure-III.

The Distribution Licensee shall, on receipt of the security deposit and on removing defects, if any and the documents submitted under sub regulation(5), inform the approval within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt. Provided that if the deficiency as per sub regulation (5) is not removed by the Eligible Consumer within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of such intimation to the Eligible Consumer, the application shall stand cancelled and the application fee shall be forfeited. The interconnection agreement (Annexure - IV) shall be executed by the distribution licensee within thirty (30) days of receipt of a completed application. If the distribution licensee determines that an interconnection study is necessary, the distribution licensee shall carry out such interconnection study within sixty (60) days so as to enable it to execute the standard interconnection agreement within ninety (90) days of a completed application. The Eligible Consumer must execute the standard interconnection agreement and return it to the distribution licensee within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt.

RERC (Electricity Supply Code and Connected Matters) Regulations, 2004. The equipments of Solar PV Roof top shall be pre tested by the supplier and a test certificate for the concerned equipment shall be provided to the consumer. The onsumer shall get the equipment installed at his/ her premises by the representative of the supplier to confirm satisfactory working.

Interconnection with the Grid: Standards and Safety The interconnection of the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant with the network of the distribution licensee shall be made as per the technical specifications and standards for connectivity provided in the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013, as amended from time to time. The connectivity levels at which the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plants shall be connected with the grid are as specified below: The above connectivity norms are applicable to all the solar power generators who seek connectivity with network of the distribution licensees. EHT/HT consumers may install solar power generators at LT/ HT voltage and connect them to their LT/ HT system. In the interconnection of roof top PV solar energy generator with the local distribution licensee’s grid, the relevant provisions of the Central Electricity Authority

Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for connectivity of the Distributed Generating Resources) Regulations, 2013. Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006.

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Em e r g en cie s o r m ain t en a n c e requirement on the distribution licensee’s electric system; Hazardous condition existing on the distribution licensee’s system due to operation of solar energy generator or protective equipment as determined by the Distribution Licensee/Transmission Licensee/SLDC. Adverse electrical effects, such as power quality problems, on the electrical equipment of the other consumers of the distribution licensee caused by the solar energy generation as determined by the distribution licensee.RERC Net-Metering Regulations, 2015 Subject to sub regulation 8(5) above, the distribution licensee may call upon the roof top PV solar energy generator to rectify the defect within a reasonable time. The Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant should be capable of detecting an unintended islanding condition. These systems must have anti-islanding protection to prevent any unfavorable conditions including failure of supply. IEC-62116 shall be followed to test islanding prevention measure for grid connected photovoltaic inverters. Every Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant shall be equipped with automatic synchronization device:

Standards, Operation and Maintenance of Solar Power Generators (SPGs) The Solar Power Generator (SPG) and equipments will conform to the standards and requirements specified in these Regulations and in the following Regulations and codes as amended from time to time:RERC NetMetering Regulations, 2015

on failure of distribution licensee’s grid supply. The distribution licensee shall have the right to disconnect the roof top PV solar energy generator from its system at any time in the following conditions:

Regulations, 2010 as amended from time to time shall apply. The tests as per EN 50160 and as per distribution licensee’s standards shall be done to ensure the quality of power generated from the Solar PV systems. Any alternate source of supply shall be restricted to the consumer’s network and the consumer shall be responsible to take adequate safety measures to prevent battery power/diesel generator power/ backup power extending to distribution licensee’s LT grid

Provided that Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant using inverter shall not be required to have separate synchronizing device,if the same is inherently built into the inverter. The Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant operating in parallel with electricity system shall be equipped with the following protective functions to sense abnormal conditions on electricity system and cause the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant to be automatically disconnected from the electricity system or to prevent the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant from being connected

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to electricity system inappropriately: Over and under voltage trip functions if voltage reaches above 110% or below 80% respectively with a clearing time upto two seconds; however, appropriate licensee may prescribe a narrower range of voltage for the purpose. Over and under frequency trip functions, if frequency reaches 50.5 Hz or below 47.5 Hz with a clearing time upto 0.2 seconds; however, appropriate licensee may prescribe a narrower range of frequency for the purpose. The Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant shall cease to energize the circuit to which it is connected in case of any fault in this circuit. A voltage and frequency sensing and time delay function to prevent the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant from energizing a deenergized circuit and to prevent the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant from reconnecting with electricity system unless voltage and frequency is within the prescribed limits and are stable for at least sixty seconds; and RERC Net-Metering Regulations, 2015 A function to prevent the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant from contributing to the formation of an unintended island, and cease to energize the electricity system within two seconds of the formation of an unintended island. The equipment of the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant shall meet following requirements, namely: Circuit Breakers or other interrupting equipment shall be suitable for their intended application with the capability of interrupting the maximum available fault current expected at their location. The Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant and associated equipment shall be designed so that the failure of any single device or component shall not potentially compromise the safety and reliability of the electricity system. Paralleling device of the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant shall be capable of withstanding 220% of the nominal voltage at the interconnection point. 58

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Every time the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant of the Eligible Consumer is synchronized to the electricity system, it shall not cause voltage fluctuation greater than ±5% at the point of inter connection. After considering the maintenance and safety procedures, the distribution licensee may require a Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant to provide a manually operated isolating switch between the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant and the electricity system, which shall meet following requirements: Allow visible verification that separation has been accomplished; Include indications to clearly show open and closed positions; Be capable of being reached quickly and conveniently twenty four hours a day by licensee’s personnel without requiring clearance from the applicant; Be capable of being locked in the open position; May not be rated for load break nor may have feature of over-current protection; and Be located at a height of at least 2.44 m above the ground level. Prior to synchronization of the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant for the first time with electricity system, the applicant and RERC NET-METERING REGULATIONS, 2015 the appropriate licensee shall agree on the protection features and control diagrams. The power conditioning unit shall have the features of filtering out harmonics and other distortions before injecting the energy into the system of the distribution utility. The technical standards, power quality standards and inverter standards shall be as per Annexure – V of these Regulations or any other standards as may be specified by CEA from time to time.

Energy Accounting and Settlement Distribution licensee shall install metering equipment at the point of interconnection which shall be capable of measuring the difference between the electricity supplied to the Eligible Consumer from the distribution licensee and the electricity de-

livered by solar system to the distribution licensee’s electric grid. Separate meter shall be provided for measuring quantum of Solar energy generated by the Eligible Consumer. Meter readings shall be taken monthly or as per the billing cycle specified under the applicable Electricity Supply Code and Connected Matters Regulations. For each billing period, the licensee shall show separately the quantum of electricity injected by Eligible Consumer during the billing period, electricity supplied by distribution licensee during the billing period, net electricity billed for payment by the consumer for that billing period and the solar energy generated by the Eligible Consumer: Provided that in the event the electricity injected exceeds the electricity consumed during the billing period, such excess injected electricity shall be paid by the Distribution Licensee at feed in tariff determined by the Commission from time to time for Solar Photo Voltaic generation in next billing period provided that such export is above 50 units. Net energy credits less than 50 units under Net Metering achieved in the particular billing period shall be adjusted in the next billing period till credit of 50 units is achieved:RERC NET-METERING REGULATIONS, 2015 Provided further that in the event the electricity supplied by the distribution licensee during any billing period exceeds the electricity generated by the Eligible Consumer’s Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant, the distribution licensee shall raise bill for the net electricity consumption at the tariff applicable after taking into account any electricity credit balance remaining from previous billing period: Provided also in case the Eligible Consumer is under the ambit of time of day tariff, as determined by the Commission from time to time, the electricity consumption in any time block (e.g., peak hours, off-peak hours, etc.) shall be first compensated with the electricity generation in the same time block. Any accumulated excess generation over consumption in any other time block in a billing cycle shall be accounted as if the excess generation occurred during the off-peak time block: Provided also that the excess electricity

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measured in kilowatt hour may only be utilized to offset the consumption measured in kilo-watt hour and may not be utilized to compensate any other fee and charges imposed by the distribution licensee as per the orders of the Commission: Provided also that the levy and duties imposed by the State Government shall be recoverable. When an Eligible Consumer leaves the system, that customer’s unused credits for excess energy generated shall be paid to the Eligible Consumer at the feed in tariff determined by the Commission from time to time for Solar Photo Voltaic Generation. Regardless of whether excess energy is delivered to the distribution licensee electric grid, the consumer shall continue to pay applicable charges such as fixed/ demand charges, Government levy, etc. The distribution licensee shall charge for electricity used by the consumer in excess of the generation supplied at the distribution licensee’s otherwise applicable rate schedule. The licensee shall give a statement of accounts of electricity showing the following particulars, along with the electricity bill relating to each billing period: Quantum of solar energy generated by the Eligible Consumer; Quantum of electricity injected into the distribution system by the Eligible Consumer; Quantum of electricity supplied by the distribution licensee to the Eligible Consumer; Quantum of net electricity which has been billed for payment by the Eligible Consumer; and Quantum of electricity injected into the distribution system in excess of the drawal by the Eligible Consumer which is carried over to the next billing period. In case of any dispute in billing it would be settled by the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and if issue still remains unresolved shall be settled by the Ombudsman.

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Reporting requirements

Metering arrangement

Distribution licensee shall report the following, by June 1 of each year and shall also be placed on its web site:

The metering system shall be as per the Regulations for installation & operation of meters for rooftop solar systems under net-metering arrangement specified in these regulations.

Total number of Eligible Consumers interconnections at the end of the previous financial year; Total kW capacity of the Eligible Consumers interconnected at the end of previous financial year; Total kWh received by the Eligible Consumer from the distribution licensee by month and by year for the previous financial year; Total kWh of solar energy generated by the Eligible Consumer by month and by year for the previous financial year; Total kWh delivered by the Eligible Consumer to the distribution licensee as per billing cycle and by year for the previous financial year; Fo r ea c h Eligi b le interconnection:

• • • •

C o n s u m er

Solar technology utilized Gross power rating; Geographic location; and Date interconnected.

Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation The quantum of electricity generated from the Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant under net metering arrangement by an Eligible Consumer, who is not defined as obligated entity, shall qualify towards compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) for the distribution licensee in whose area of the supply the Eligible Consumer is located.

Applicability of other charges The Rooftop PV Solar Power Plant under net metering arrangement, whether self-owned or third party owned installed on Eligible Consumer premises, shall be exempted from banking and wheeling charges and cross subsidy surcharge.

The schematic arrangement for interconnection of Rooftop & Small PV Solar Power Plant with the Distribution Licensee’s grid is shown at Annexure – VI. There shall be two meters. The metering arrangement shall be as per Annexure–VII. The bi-directional (net meter) shall be installed at the interconnection point of the Eligible Consumer with the network of the distribution licensee: Provided that for the existing consumers, the consumer meter shall be replaced with the bi-directional/ net meter: Provided further that consumers having ABT compliant meters shall not be required to install additional net meter. Solar meter shall be installed at the solar facility after the inverter to measure the solar generation. These meters shall have the facility for downloading meter readings using Meter Reading Instrument (MRI). Check meters shall be mandatory for rooftop solar systems having capacity more than 250 kW. For installations size of less than and equal to 250 kW, the solar check meters would be optional: Provided that the cost of new/ additional meter (s) shall be borne by the Eligible Consumer and installed & owned by the distribution licensee: Provided, if bills are prepared on the basis of MRI downloads or if meter reading is taken on the basis of remote meterreading and the consumer wishes to have a record of the reading taken, he shall be allowed so by the licensee. The meters installed shall be jointly inspected and sealed on behalf of both the parties and shall be interfered/tested or checked only in the presence of the representatives of the consumer and distribution licensee or as per the supply code specified by the Commission: Provided that the Eligible Consumer

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shall follow the metering specifications and provisions for placement of meter as developed by the distribution licensee from time to time and as per the supply code: Provided further that in case the Eligible Consumer is under the ambit of time of day (TOD) tariff, meters compliant of recording time of day consumption/generation shall be employed. The meter readings taken by the distribution licensee shall form the basis of commercial settlement. The technical standards for meters shall be as per Annexure–VIII and shall comply with the standards specified by CEA from time to time.

Communication Facilities The meters installed for Rooftop PV Solar Power Plants with capacity above 250 kWp shall have the communication port

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for exchanging real time information with Distribution Licensee.

Sharing of CDM Benefits The CDM benefits arising from solar energy generation from the roof top PV facility shall be retained by Distribution Licensee: Provided that the entire CDM benefits obtained by the Distribution Licensee shall be fully passed on to the consumers through ARR.

Penalty In case of failure to meet the requirements under these regulations for net metering, the solar power generator shall be liable to pay penalty as decided by the Commission from time to time.

The Commission may from time to time issue such directions and orders as are considered appropriate for the due implementation of these Regulations.

Power to relax The Commission may by general or special order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, and after giving an opportunity of hearing to the parties likely to be affected may relax any of the provisions of these Regulations on its own motion or on an application made before it by an interested person.

Power to amend The Commission may from time to time add, vary, alter, suspend, modify, amend or repeal any provisions of these Regulations. By order of the Commission (Secretary)

Power to give directions

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P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Draft Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Net Metering for Rooftop Solar Systems) Regulations, 2015 PART A – GENERAL General Conditions of Net Metering arrangement Net Metering arrangement shall be permitted by the Distribution Licensee on a non-discriminatory and ‘first come, first serve’ basis to the Eligible Consumer who intends to install a Rooftop Solar system connected to the network of Distribution Licensee; Provided that the interconnection of such system with the network of the Distribution Licensee is undertaken in accordance with the standards and norms specified in the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) (Technical Standard for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013.

Capacity limits at Distribution Transformer level The Distribution Licensee shall allow Net Metering arrangement to Eligible Consumers so long as the cumulative capacity utilized at a particular distribution transformer does not exceed 15% of the rated capacity of that distribution transformer; Provided that the Distribution Licensee may allow Net Metering connectivity exceeding 15% of such rated capacity based on a detailed load study carried out by it. The Distribution Licensee shall provide yearly, on its website and to the Commission, information regarding the distribution transformer level capacity available for connecting Rooftop Solar system under Net Metering arrangements.

PART B – TECHNICAL ARRANGEMENTS Eligible Consumer and individual project capacity All the Eligible Consumers in the area of supply of the Distribution Licensee may participate in the Rooftop Solar Net Metering arrangement. 62

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The maximum Rooftop Solar system capacity to be installed at any Eligible Consumer’s premises shall be governed by the available capacity of the service line connections of the Eligible Consumer’s premises and the cumulative capacity utilized at particular distribution transformer as per Regulation 4.1 of above; Provided that the capacity of the Rooftop Solar system to be connected at Eligible Consumer’s premises shall not exceed his Contract Demand or connected load of the Eligible Consumer to be read with Regulation 4.1 of above. The capacity limits for the connectivity of Rooftop Solar system to the network of Distribution Licensee under these Regulations shall be as defined in Regulation 5.3 of the MERC (Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee, Period of giving Supply and Determination of Compensation) Regulations, 2014, which are as follows:

Interconnection with the Distribution Network / Grid, Standards and Safety The Distribution Licensee shall ensure that the interconnection of the Rooftop Solar system with its network conforms to the specifications, standard and other provisions specified in the CEA (Technical Standard for connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013

and CEA ( Measures relating Safety and Electric supply), Regulations, 2010 and the MERC (State Grid Code) Regulations,2006. The Eligible Consumer may install Rooftop Solar system with or without battery back-up; Provided that, if the Eligible Consumer prefers connectivity with battery back-up, the inverter shall have a separate back-up wiring to prevent the battery/ de-

centralized generation (DG) power from flowing into the grid in the absence of grid supply, both automatic and manual isolation switch shall also be provided. The Eligible Consumer shall be responsible for the safe operation, maintenance and rectification of any defect of the Solar Rooftop system upto the point of Net Meter, beyond which point the responsibility of safe operation, maintenance and rectification of any defect in the system, including the Net Meter, shall rest with the concerned Distribution Licensee. The Distribution Licensee shall have the right to disconnect the Rooftop Solar system at any time in the event of any threat of accident or damage from such system to its distribution system. The Distribution Licensee and Eligible Consumer shall comply with all necessary roles and responsibilities as specified in the relevant CEA Regulations.

Metering Arrangement Net metering arrangement shall have two meters including one bi-directional meter which is also known as Net Meter. The Net Meter will be single phase or three phase as per the requirement. All the meters shall adhere to the Standards as specified in CEA (Installation and Operation of meters) Regulations 2006, and subsequent amendments thereof. The Net Meter and all other meters in the premises of the Eligible Consumer shall be procured and installed by the Distribution Licensee as per the provisions of MERC (Electricity Supply Code and Other Conditions of Supply) Regulations, 2005. The Distribution Licensee shall be responsible for specifications, supply, installation, testing and maintenance of the metering arrangement. Provided that in case of existing Eli-

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gible Consumer, the Distribution Licensee shall replace the existing meter of Eligible Consumer with Net Meter. However, if the Eligible Consumer wishes to procure all the meters including Net Meter, he may procure such meters and present the same to the Distribution Licensee for testing and installation. The location of Net Meter shall be at the point of interconnection which shall be ascertained by the Distribution Licensee. The Distribution Licensee shall also install another meter known as solar generation meter at appropriate location to measure the total units generated from Rooftop Solar system. All meters, including the Net Meter shall be installed at an accessible location in the premises of Eligible Consumer to facilitate easy access to the Distribution Licensee for meter reading.

Procedure for Application and Registration The Eligible Consumer shall submit the application to the concerned Distribution Licensee for connectivity of Rooftop Solar system with the distribution network of the concerned Distribution Licensee in the prescribed format along with registration fee of Rs. 1000/-.The concerned Distribution Licensee shall acknowledge the receipt of application. The model application form along with checklist, to be submitted by the Eligible Consumer to the concerned Distribution Licensee for connectivity of Rooftop Solar system with the distribution network under these Regulations is provided as Annexure-1 with these Regulations.

Net metering connection agreement The Distribution Licensee and Eligible Consumer shall enter into a Net metering connection agreement after providing approval for connectivity of Rooftop Solar system with the distribution network under these Regulations but before starting the actual generation from the Solar Roof top system installed by the Eligible Consumer.

PART C - COMMERCIAL ARRANGEMENT Energy Accounting and Settlement The accounting of electricity exported and

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imported by the Eligible Consumer shall become effective from the date of connectivity of Rooftop Solar System with the distribution network under these Regulations. For each billing period, the Distribution Licensee shall show separately; • the quantum of units of electricity exported by Eligible Consumer, • the quantum of units of electricity imported by Eligible Consumer, • the Net units of electricity billed for payment to the Eligible Consumer and • the Net units of electricity carried over to the next billing period. Provided that in the event, the units of the electricity exported exceeds the units of electricity imported during the billing period, such excess units of electricity exported shall be carried forward to the next billing period as credited units of electricity. Provided that in the event, the units of electricity imported by the Eligible Consumer during any billing period exceeds the units of electricity exported by the Eligible Consumer’s Rooftop Solar system, the Distribution Licensee shall raise invoice for the Net electricity consumption after taking into account credited units of electricity. Provided that at the end of each financial year, unadjusted net credited units of electricity limited to 10% of total units generated during the year by the Eligible Consumer, shall be purchased by the Distribution Licensee at the Commission’s approved Average cost of Power Purchase of the Distribution Licensee for respective year. Provided that any unadjusted net credited units of electricity above 10% of total units generated during the year by the Eligible Consumer shall be treated as unwanted /inadvertent injunction and no payment for the same shall be made by the Distribution Licensee. Provided that at the beginning of each settlement period, cumulative carried over injected electricity will be reset to zero.

Regulations, 2006.

Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation The quantum of electricity consumed by the Eligible Consumer, who is not defined as Obligated Entity, from the Rooftop Solar system under net metering arrangement shall qualify towards compliance of Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (Solar RPO) for the concerned Distribution Licensee. Provided that the Distribution Licensee with consent of Eligible Consumer, shall make all the necessary arrangements including additional metering arrangement if any, for accounting of total solar energy generated and total solar energy consumed by the Eligible Consumer. The unadjusted surplus units of solar energy purchased by Distribution Licensee as per the provision in Regulation 10.2 shall be considered as eligible renewable energy and the Distribution Licensee would be able to meet its Solar Renewable Purchase Obligations through purchase of such surplus units of solar energy.

Eligibility to Participate under Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism Eligible Consumer under net metering arrangement shall not be eligible to participate under REC mechanism as specified under Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for Renewable Energy Generation) Regulations, 2010.

Subsidy or incentives of the Central / State Government: The Eligible Consumer can avail subsidy or incentives if offered by the Central / State Government on the capital cost of the Rooftop Solar PV system. Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) will be the Nodal Agency for processing such subsidy or incentives of the Central / State Government.

In case of any dispute in billing it would be settled as per Consumer Grievance Redressal mechanism under MERC (Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum & Ombudsman)

March-April 2015

P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Renewable Purchase Obligation and its compliance) (Amendment-1) Regulations, 2015. PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Amendment of Regulation 2 of the Principal Regulations:

The following proviso shall be added at the end of Regulation 3(1):

The definition of ‘obligated entity’ under Regulation 2(1)(i) of the Principal Regulations shall be substituted as under: “i) ‘obligated entity’ means the ‘distribution licensee(s)’, ‘ c aptive user(s)’ of the electricity generated in a Captive Generating Plant and ‘Open access customer(s)’ which are mandated under clause (e) of sub-section (1) of Section 86 of the Act to fulfil the renewable purchase obligation;”

“Provided also that the distribution licensee

Amendment of Regulation 3 of the Principal Regulations: Table-1 in Regulation 3 of the Principal Regulations shall be substituted as under:

Year

shall ensure compliance of renewable purchase obligation by the Open access customer(s) and/or captive user(s) of the electricity generated in a Captive Generating Plant, being its consumers, to be monitored by the State Agency, which shall forthwith inform the distribution licensee of the non compliance of renewable purchase obligation by such entities. In case the distribution

licensee is unable to get the renewable purchase obligation compliance effected by the aforementioned obligated entities, it is directed to fulfil the renewable purchase obligation of the defaulting obligated entities

and recover the expenditure so incurred from the defaulters by utilising suitable measures.” By order of the Commission (sd)SecretaryPSERC, Chandigarh.

Table-1

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

2019-20

Non-SolarRPO (%)

2.37

2.83

3.37

3.81

3.9

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.5

Solar RPO (%)

0.03

0.07

0.13

0.19

1.0

1.3

1.8

2.2

2.5

Total

2.4

2.9

3.5

4.0

4.9

5.4

6.0

6.5

7.0

March-April 2015

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The Government of Tamil Nadu issued

power developers, namely, (1).M/s. Hindu-

lation 7 of the said Regulations provides

a Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy, 2012.

stan Clean Energy Limited; (2).M/s.Emami

that the Distribution Licensees shall file a

With the object of implementing the said

Cement Ltd., Kolkata; (3).M/s.Raasi Green

model Energy Purchase Agreement / Energy

solar policy of the Government, the Com-

Earth Energy (P) Ltd., Bangalore; (4) M/s.

Wheeling Agreement after discussions with

mission issued Order No.1 of 2013 dated

Moser Baer Engineering and Constructions

the generators / open access customers for

07-03-2013 in the matter of Issues Related

Limited, New Delhi; (5) M/s.Welspun, Mum-

the approval of the Commission within one

to Tamil Nadu Solar Policy, 2012 prescribing

bai; (6) M/s.Green Infra Ltd., New Delhi;

month of the issuance of tariff order by the

among others, Solar Purchase Obligation

and (7) M/s.Auroville Consulting, Auroville

Commission.

(SPO) starting with 3% SPO till December

with a prayer to review the said Solar Order

2013 and 6% SPO from January 2014 ap-

dated 12-09-2014, so that the control pe-

The Distribution Licensee, TANGED-

plicable to HT Consumers (HT Tariff I to

riod may be specified as two years instead

CO submitted the model Energy Purchase

V) and to LT Commercial Consumers (LT

of one year on account of time consuming

Agreement in the matter of Solar Power on

Tariff V) with certain exceptions. However,

procedures involved in setting up of solar

10-12-2014. The Commission after scrutiny

Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers Asso-

projects. The Commission however could not

could approve the said model EPA on 21-

ciation and the Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills

admit those petitions for the technical reason

01-2015. It is obvious that the solar power

Association filed Appeal No.92 of 2013

that none of the grounds for review were

generators could move towards financial

and Appeal No.109 of 2013, respectively,

closure only after their having executed the

challenging the order of the Commission

Energy Purchase Agreements in the form

before the Hon’ble Appellate Tribunal for

duly approved by the Commission with the

Electricity (APTEL). In order dated 21-01-

Distribution Licensee.

2014, the Hon’ble Appellate Tribunal for Electricity set aside the said order of the

Even after the approval of the PPA

Commission. Thereafter, with the object of

by the Commission, there was no tangible

optimal exploitation of the solar energy for

growth in the solar capacity in the State. The

the sustainable energy base, the Commission

Commission noticed that after the approval

after issuing a consultative paper for public

of EPA by the Commission, the balance

view inviting comments from stakeholders,

period left in the original control period is

after obtaining the views of the Members

less than 8 months though the intention of

of the State Advisory Committee and after

the Commission was to give clear one year

considering the views of all the stakeholders

made out in those petitions. However, while

as control period. The Commission feels

and the State Advisory Committee Members

hearing the arguments of the Counsel for the

that within the said balance period of less

made a Comprehensive Tariff Order on solar

said review Petitioners, the Commission felt

than 8 months out of the control period

power in exercise of the powers conferred

that there was substance in their arguments

of one year, execution of individual EPA

by sections 181, 61(h), 62 and 86 (1) (e

that their prayer need to be addressed in its

by the prospective developers, achieving

) of the Electricity Act, 2003 (Act 36 of

proper perspective.

financial closure thereafter, procurement,

2003) read with the National Electricity

erection, testing and the commissioning of

Policy, the National Tariff Policy and the

In para 11.5 of the said Solar Order,

the solar plant will be very difficult. As a

power procurement from New and Renew-

it has been mandated that the format of

result, additional solar power generation in

able Source of Energy Regulations, 2008

Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) shall

the State may not happen even to the level of

of the Commission vide Order No.7 of 2014

be evolved as specified in the Commis-

a reasonable RPO obligation which is being

dated 12-09-2014.

sion’s “Power Procurement from New and

advocated in the National Action Plan for

Renewable Source of Energy Regulations

Climate Change and National Tariff Policy.

Review petitions were filed by the solar

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2008” as amended from time to time. Regu-

March-April 2015

P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission : Extension of Control Period of Tariff Order No.7 of 2014 on Solar Power.

Therefore considering the date of ap-

Date of Order: 01.04.2015

of the solar power plant is declining fast.

proval of the Energy Purchase Agreement

I am not able to agree with the views of

TANGEDCO also asked for one year only.

by the Commission on 21-01-2015 and the

my learned colleagues. I notice that there

This order was issued on 12th September

time that would be required by the Generator

are financial and legal violations involved in

2014 and valid upto 11.9.2015. As per this

/ Licensee thereafter for execution of the

this order. My order is as below:-

order, whoever is able to establish and com-

agreements and other subsequent activities, the Commission considers that the ends of

mence generation of solar power before 11th

ORDER

justice will be met if the control period specified in the said order is modified suitably to bring out the intention of the Commission to

September 2015 will get a rate of Rs.7.01 per unit. Beyond this period a new rate has

Commission never met during these months and discussed this issue.

provide one full year in clear terms.

to be fixed by the Commission taking into account, the prevailing capital cost of solar power at that time.

Nobody asked for extension of control When the draft order extending the con-

period. It is still a mystery that who is in-

The present capital cost is Rs.5.86

trol period in this matter was circulated

strumental in prompting my colleagues to

crore / MW.(approx.) Central Electricity

among the Members of the Commission to

undertake this exercise which is not legally

Regulatory Commission (CERC) in its Order

enable issue of an order by the full Commis-

correct. Learned Chairman mentioned in

SM/004/2015 dated 3.3.2015 has already

sion, Thiru S.Nagalsamy, Member of the

his note that there is urgency in the matter.

notified that the capital cost of the solar

Commission has expressed that he does not

“More the delay in issuing this order would

power plant has come down to Ra.5.86

agree with the views and that he shall issue

result in further extension in the control

crores per MW. This is 15% reduction from

his order in the matter separately. Consider-

period”.

last year’s rate. This translates into Rs.5.87

ing the fact that more delay in issuing this

per unit (approx.) as per our calculation

order would result in further extension in

Why this urgency? Who is the benefi-

adopted in our earlier order. This is known

the control period, to avoid such contingency

ciary? Certainly not the consumers and not

to all. The solar power plants which are set

and at the same time to address the genuine

the TANGEDCO.

up after 12.9.2015 and generate power

issue in the way of facilitating the process, this order is issued by majority with the

should have a new rate to be determined

Financial violation:

above quorum.

by the Commission considering the capital cost prevailing at that time.

There is no second opinion that solar In view of the above position, the Com-

power generation should be encouragedand

Considering the last year rate of Rs.7.01

mission decided to make modification as to

new solar capacity should be added every

per unit and the present rate of Rs.5.87

the control period in Order No.7 of 2014

year in the State. But the main question

(approx.) per unit, there is a reduction of

dated 12-09-2014:-

here is at what price?

Rs.1.14 per unit. The price of solar power has come down by Rs.1.14 / per unit within

ORDER

My learned colleagues want to extend

this short period. Government of Tamil Nadu

the last year price of Rs.7.01 per unit for

indicated that it has received applications

In exercise of the powers conferred by

the period beyond September 2015, when

from the solar power generators to the tune

Sections 181, 61 (h), 62 and 86(1)(e ) of

the current price for 2015 has already come

of 5366 MW. If all the applicants are al-

the Electricity Act, 2003, (Act 36 of 2003)

down to Rs.5.87 (approx.) per unit. The

lowed at the old rate of Rs.7.01 per unit by

read with the National Electricity Policy, the

Commission has to consider the interests

extending this control period, it will trans-

National Tariff Policy and the Power Pro-

of all the stakeholders viz. Consumers,

late into a huge loss of Rs.23,000 crores to

curement from New and Renewable Energy

TANGEDCO and Generators.

TANGEDCO for the period of next 25 years,

Sources Regulations, 2008, the Commission

as the contract entered now is valid for 25

hereby specifies one year from the date of

In 2014, the Commission proposed to

years. Even, if we take a very conserva-

this order as control period for the purposes

determine the preferential tariff for solar

tive estimate of 2500 MW which are in the

of the said Order No.7 of 2014 dated 12-09-

power and invited public opinion and after

process of registration, still there will be a

2014 instead of one year from the date of the

considering public opinion, the rate was

loss of Rs.10,700 crores for next 25 years.

said Order No.7 of 2014 dated 12-09-2014

fixed at Rs.7.01 per unit. The capital cost

This loss to TANGEDCO has to be collected

as specified in para 11.6 therein.

was considered at Rs.7.00 crores / MW.

from the large number of consumers through the increased tariff. Hence the extension

Sd/- sd/-

During 2014, the cost of the solar panels

of control period only helps the generator

(G.Rajagopal) (S.Akshayakumar)

had come down by 14%. Taking into ac-

and affects the crores of consumers for the

Member Chairman

count this fact, it was consciously decided

next 25 years.

Order of Thiru S. Nagalsamy, Member,

by the Commission that the control period

TNERC

should be one year because the capital cost

March-April 2015

Power Purchase Agreement is valid for

www.EQMagLive.com

25 years. The price fixed to day shall be valid

Then what is the motivation for ordering

tariff order fixing one year as control period

for 25 years. If we fix an additional rate

this extension of control period. My col-

and now by extending this control period,

of Rs.1.14 per unit, the extra rate has to

leagues have mentioned in their order that

they are violating their own order. Their

be paid for next 25 years. CERC also in its

“certain developments have taken place

order says that “certain developments have

draft order dated. 3.3.2015 mentioned that

subsequently”. I could not comprehend these

taken place subsequently which necessi-

“the capital cost norms for Solar PV and

developments and only my colleagues might

tated the Commission to revisit the order”.

Solar Thermal Projects shall be reviewed

have known it. It is beyond the comprehen-

But their revisit should not be confined to

on annual basis.”. To avoid this loss, the

sion of any judicial mind.

control period alone. It should have covered

control period should not be extended be-

capital cost also. The main reason adduced

yond 11th September 2015 and a new rate

Few generators filed review petition

by my colleagues was delay in issuing the

should be fixed beyond this period as done

praying for the extension of control period

EPA (Energy Purchase Agreement). For the

regularly. The extension of control period

and they were not admitted by the Com-

sake of this delay, Commission cannot enrich

will only enrich the generators and burden

mission as they do not quality as review

the generators at the cost of consumers by

the TANGEDCO and finally the consumers.

petition as per Commission’s Regulation.

giving high solar power purchase cost at

Hence I strongly oppose the extension.

The Regulation No.43(1) of TNERC Con-

Rs.7.01 / unit.

duct of Business Regulations 2004 is given

Legal violation:

below:- 43(1) “Review of the decisions, directions and orders

Commission can always issue a revised tariff order in time taking into account the declining capital cost of the Solar P.V. and

Commission issued the solar tariff order on 12th September 2014 after following all

The Commission may on its own or on the

the parties can sign EPA accordingly. For

the provisions of the Act and Regulations.

application of any of the persons or parties

delaying to submit the Draft E.P.A., Commis-

Public opinions were called for. TANGEDCO

concerned within 30 days of the making of

sion also has not proposed any action against

submitted its views and asked for a control

any decision, direction or order, review such

TANGEDCO under Sec.142 of Electricity

period of one year after considering the fast

decision, directions or orders on the ground

Act, 2003.

declining cost of solar power panels. The

that such decision, direction or order was

tariff order was finalised after considering

made under a mistake of fact, ignorance of

This order is also hastened very much.

the views of the power generators, con-

any material fact or any error apparent on

I have brought to the notice of the Com-

sumers and the licensee, viz. TANGEDCO.

the face of the record.”

mission, the important urgent matters for discussion and prompt action, but nothing

The Commission took a conscious decision of fixing the control period as one year as

From the above, it is clear that the af-

has been done for the last 5 months. But

demanded by TANGEDCO as the price of

fected parties or persons or the Commission

this order which is not legally correct is

solar panels were coming down drastically.

on its own can review such decisions only if

done urgently. I do not approve the order

The capital cost came down by 14% in 2014.

such decision / order was made under (1)

and oppose it due to the following grounds:

Considering all the facts and also to encour-

mistake of fact (2) ignorance of any material

age the solar power generation in the State

fact (3) or any error apparent on the face

Commission fixed solar tariff of Rs.7.01 per

of the record.

Commission cannot amend / modify its own order during the currency of its order.

unit. Order is valid only for one year from 12.9.2014 to11.9.2015.

All these review petitioners did not point

Stakeholders are not consulted

out anyone of the above three grounds for Now, my colleagues want to extend the

review warranting a review of the solar

No stakeholders has asked for this ex-

control period beyond 11.9.2015 and upto

tariff order. The Commission can also review

tension. TANGEDCO has also not asked for

31.3.2016 i.e. for one year from the date of

its own order only if any one of the above

extension.

this order i.e. from 31.3.2015 to 31.3.2016.

grounds is noticed in the order. Commission cannot review its own order

This amounts to extending the control period When the order has no mistake of fact,

when it is not attracted by any of the grounds

no ignorance of any material fact or any

stipulated in Regulation 43 (1) of TNERC

Who has asked for this extension?

error apparent on the face of the record

Conduct of Business Regulations, 2004

Consumers? No.

neither the Commission can review nor re-

to more than 1½ years.

TANGEDCO? No: It has specifically asked for one year upto 11.9.2015 only. Generators had asked for, but their Peti-

view petitioners ask for review of the order.

Revisiting of order cannot be done se-

Hence it is not correct for the Commission

lectively on the aspect of control period

to review its own order when none of the

alone leaving the other aspects especially

above grounds exist.

the declining trend in capital cost that too without following the due process of law. .

tions were not admitted. My colleagues have approved the solar

www.EQMagLive.com

March-April 2015

P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Uttar Pradesh Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive System Gross / Net Metering) Regulations, 2015

Scope and application These Regulations shall apply to the distribution licensee and the eligible consumers of the distribution licensee of the State of Uttar Pradesh. The eligible consumer may install the rooftop solar system under either gross metering arrangement or net metering arrangement which: Shall be within the permissible rated capacity as defined under these Regulations Shall be located in the premises of the consumer Shall interconnect and operate safely with the distribution system of the licensee These Regulations do not preclude the right of the State authorities to undertake rooftop solar projects of 1 MWp and above capacity through alternative mechanisms. Any consumer or third party owner claiming accelerated depreciation benefits on the rooftop solar PV system shall only be eligible to avail net metering arrangement under these Regulations.

General Principles Subject to the limits and other terms and conditions specified in these Regulations, the eligible consumers of the distribution licensee shall be entitled to install rooftop solar system under either gross metering arrangement or net metering arrangement. Provided that third party owners who have entered into a lease or entered into a commercial agreement for the rooftop on the premises of the eligible consumer shall also be entitled to install rooftop solar system under gross metering arrangement. Provided that the eligible consumer or 68Â

March-April 2015

third party owner as the case may be availing gross metering arrangement under these Regulations shall not be allowed to apply for net metering arrangement within the same premises. Provided that the eligible consumer availing net metering arrangement under these Regulations shall not be allowed to apply for gross metering arrangement within the same premises. Provided that the distribution licensee shall offer the provision of gross metering arrangement and net metering arrangement to the eligible consumer or third party owner as the case may be, who intends to install grid connected rooftop solar system, in its area of supply on non-discriminatory and first come first serve basis. If the eligible consumer or third party owner installs solar rooftop system under the gross metering scheme, the entire power generated from such an installation shall be injected to the distribution system of the licensee at the interconnection point. If the eligible consumer installs solar rooftop system under the net metering scheme, such eligible consumer shall be entitled to use the power generated from the rooftop solar system at his premises. The surplus power can be injected to the distribution system of the licensee at the interconnection point.

Capacity of Rooftop PV System. The maximum peak capacity of the grid connected rooftop solar system to be installed by any eligible consumer shall not exceed 90% of the sanctioned connected load / contract demand of the consumer The capacity of the grid connected rooftop solar system to be installed by any eligible consumer or third party owner shall be more than one kilo watt peak minimum.

Provided that the capacity of the grid connected rooftop solar system shall be in conformity with the provisions relating to the connected load or contract demand permissible under the UPERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations 2005 and subsequent amendments thereof

Capacity of Transformer The distribution licensee shall provide information on its website regarding capacity available on distribution transformer(s) for feeding the eligible consumer at different locations for connecting rooftop solar PV system within three months from the date of commencement of these Regulations, and shall update the same within one month of the start of the subsequent financial year under intimation to the Commission. Provided that the capacity to be allowed in the area fed from the distribution transformer or any other transformer from which power is fed to the eligible consumer shall not exceed 15% or any other percentage as may be fixed by the Commission of the rated capacity of such transformer(s) Provided further that in case of multiple applications from the consumers or third party owners fed by a transformer for participation in the scheme, the connectivity with the rooftop solar system shall be allowed on first come first serve basis.

Interconnection with the distribution system The interconnection of the rooftop solar system with the distribution system of the distribution licenseeshall be made as per the technical specifications and standards for connectivity as specified by the Central Electricity Authority. The distribution licensee shall ensure that:

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The interconnection of the rooftop solar system with the distribution systemconforms to the specifications, standards and provisions as provided in the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013 as amended from time to time The inter connection of the rooftop solar system with the distribution system of the licensee confirms to the relevant provisions of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010, as amended from time to time. The interconnection of the rooftop solar system with the distribution system conforms to the specifications, standards and provisions as provided in the UPERC (Grant of connectivity to intra-state Transmission System) Regulations, 2010 as amended from time to time. Provided that in case of a conflict between these Regulations and the regulations specified under the UPERC (Grant of connectivity to intra-state Transmission System) Regulations, 2010 as amended from time to time, these Regulations shall be applicable to the eligible consumers or third party owner as the case may be Regulations and provisions framed under Section 53 of the Electricity Act 2003 and subsequent amendments thereof; The connectivity levels at which the rooftop solar system shall be connected with the distribution system are as specified below: The eligible consumer shall be responsible for safe operation, maintenance and rectification of any defect of the rooftop solar system up to the interconnection point beyond which the responsibility of safe operation, maintenance and rectification of any defect in the distribution system including the gross meter /net meter as the case may be shall rest with the distribution licensee. The distribution licensee shall have the right to disconnect the rooftop solar system at any time in the event of possible threat/ damage, from such rooftop solar system to its distribution system, to prevent an accident or damage. Subject to Regulation

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8.3, the distribution licensee may call upon the eligible consumer to rectify the defect within a reasonable time.

Metering arrangement

of the eligible consumer. All the meters installed shall be jointly inspected and sealed on behalf of both the parties.

All the meters shall adhere to the standards and provisions specified in CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters), Regulations, 2006 and subsequent amendments thereof.

Provided that the meter reading taken by the distribution licensee shall form the basis of commercial settlement

The appropriate Meter(s) shall be single phase or three phase as per requirement. All the meters to be installed shall be of the same or better Accuracy Class Index than the existing meter installed at the premises.

Meter readings shall be taken as per the applicable cycle as provided in the UPERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations 2005 and subsequent amendments thereof;

The appropriate Meter(s) at the premises of the consumer shall be procured, installed and maintained by the distribution licensee at the cost of the eligible consumer. However if the eligible consumer wishes to procure the appropriate Meter(s), he may procure such meter(s) and present the same to the distribution licensee for testing and installation. The location of appropriate meter(s) shall be in accordance with the CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters), Regulations, 2006 as amendments from time to time and the UPERC (Grid Code) Regulations, 2007 as amendments from time to time. The installation of check meters shall be mandatory for rooftop solar system having rated capacity more than 50 kWp. The charges for testing, installation and maintenance of the check meter shall be borne by the eligible consumer. The distribution licensee shall own the check meter. For installations having rated capacity up to 50 kWp, the eligible consumer or the distribution licensee who so ever if sires, may install check meter at their own ost. The distribution licensee shall own the check meter. The check meter shall be installed after the inverter of the solar rooftop system. The specification and standards of the check meter shall be same as or better than the consumer meter installed at the premises

Energy Accounting and Settlement

The case of rooftop solar system under gross metering arrangement the licensee shall undertake energy accounting and settlement with either the eligible consumer or the third party owner whom so ever is a signatory of the interconnection agreement with the licensee. The energy accounting and settlement procedure for eligible consumers / third party owners installing and operating rooftop solar system under gross metering arrangement shall be as per the following procedure: For each billing period, the licensee shall show the quantum of electricity injected by the rooftop solar system installed at the premises of the eligible consumer in the billing period. The distribution licensee shall reimburse the eligible consumer or the third party owner as the case may be for the quantum of injected electricity by the rooftop solar system during the billing period by way of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Solar Injection Compensationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Provided that the Solar Injection Compensation to be paid by the distribution licensee to the eligible consumer or third party owner as the case may be shall be determined on the basis of tariff for new Solar Grid connected PV projects approved by the Commission vide the UPERC (Captive and Renewable Energy Generating Plants) Regulations, 2014 as amended from time or as per determined by the Commission; Rebate and late payment surcharge on

March-April 2015

69Â

early or delayed payment of the Solar Injection Compensation as the case may be shall be levied in the same manner as per the procedure laid down by the Commission in the UPERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations 2005 and subsequent amendments thereof; Provided that such rebates/ delayed payment surcharge as the case may be shall also be payable to the third party owner in the same manner as per procedure specified for the consumer of the licensee in the UPERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations 2005 and subsequent amendments thereof;

supplied electricity by distribution licensee in the billing period, net billed electricity for payment by the consumer for that billing period and net carried over electricity to the next billing period separately; If the electricity injected exceeds the electricity consumed during the billing period, such excess injected electricity shall be carried forward to next billing period as

Provided also that the excess electricity measured in kilo-watt hour may only be utilized to offset the consumption measured in kilo-watt hour and may not be utilized to compensate any other fee and charges imposed by the distribution licensee as per the instructions of Commission Provided also at the end of each settlement period, any electricity credits, which

There shall be no deemed generation charges payable to the eligible consumer or third party owner of the solar rooftop system. The distribution licensee shall be responsible for billing of the electricity injected by the rooftop solar system into the distribution system. The bills prepared by the distribution license shall necessarily include the following: Quantum of electricity injected into the distribution system by the rooftop solar system. Quantum of Solar Injection Compensation payable by the licensee. Provided that the billing period and due date of the bills shall be the same as that of the eligible consumer in whose premises the solar system has been installed. Provided also that licensee shall reimburse the eligible consumer or third party owner of the solar rooftop system as the case may be through RTGS/NEFT/ DD or through cheque within the due date of the electricity bill of the consumer in whose premises the rooftop solar system has been installed. The energy accounting and settlement procedure for consumers installing and operating rooftop solar system under net metering arrangement shall be as per the following procedure: For each billing period, the licensee shall show the quantum of electricity injected by the rooftop solar system in the billing period, 70Â

March-April 2015

electricity credit and may be utilized to net electricity injected or consumed in future billing periods but within the settlement period;

remain unadjusted, shall be paid at a rate of Rs 0.50/kWh by the distribution licensee or as notified by the Commission from time to time.

If the electricity supplied by the distribution licensee during any billing period exceeds the electricity generated by the eligible consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooftop solar system, the distribution licensee shall raise invoice for the net electricity consumption after taking into account any electricity credit balance remaining from previous billing periods;

Provide further that at the beginning of each settlement period, cumulative carried over electricity credits shall be reset to zero. There shall be no deemed generation charges payable to the eligible consumer.

Provided, in case the eligible customer is under the ambit of time of day tariff, as determined by the Commission from time to time, the electricity consumption in any time block (e.g., peak hours, off-peak hours, etc.) shall be first compensated with the electricity generation in the same time block. Any cumulated excess generation over consumption in any time block in a billing cycle shall be accounted as if the generation occurred during the off-peak time block.

In case the applicable tariff provides for billing on kVAh basis, the net drawl or injection of energy shall also be measured in kVAh. When an eligible consumer leaves the system, that consumers unused electricity credits shall be paid at a rate of Rs 0.50/ kWh by the distribution licensee or as notified by the Commission from time to time. Regardless of availability of electricity credits with the eligible consumer during any billing period, the consumer shall continue to pay applicable charges such as fixed/

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demand charges, Government levy etc. The distribution licensee shall necessarily provide the following details along with the electricity bill relating to each billing period: Quantum of electricity injected into the distribution system by the rooftop solar system. Quantum of electricity supplied by the distribution licensee to the eligible consumer. Quantum of net electricity that has been billed for payment by the eligible consumer. Quantum of electricity credits available to the eligible consumer which is carried over from the previous billing period. Quantum of electricity injected into the distribution system in excess of the drawl by the eligible consumer (quantum of electricity credits) which shall be carried forward to the next billing period. In case of any dispute in billing it would be settled by the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum and if issue still remains unresolved, it shall be settled by the Ombudsman following appropriate procedure.

Applicability of other charges In rooftop solar system under gross metering scheme / net metering scheme, whether self-owned or third party owned and installed on eligible consumer premises shall be exempted from wheeling and cross subsidy surcharge.

Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation In case of gross metering scheme the quantum of electricity generation by eligible consumer, who is not defined as obligated entity, from the rooftop solar system shall qualify towards compliance of Renewable

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Purchase Obligation (RPO) for the distribution licensee in whose area of supply the eligible consumer is located. In case of net metering scheme the quantum of electricity adjusted under the net metering arrangement for eligible consumer, who is not defined as Obligated entity, shall qualify towards deemed Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) for the distribution licensee in whose area of supply the eligible consumer is located.

Eligibility to participate under Renewable Energy Certificate Mechanism Nothing contained in these Regulations shall apply to the Solar PV generator intending to sell power under the Renewable Energy Certificate Mechanism and he shall be free to sell power under such mechanism as per the provisions of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for Renewable Energy Generation) Regulations, 2010 and subsequent amendments thereof and UPERC (Promotion of Green Energy through Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations,2010. The eligibility for Renewable Energy Certificate and issuance of such renewable energy certificate shall be as per the eligibility criteria specified under Central

Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for Renewable Energy Generation) Regulations, 2010 and subsequent amendments thereof.

Penalty or Compensation

In case of failure of gross metering or net metering system as the case may be, the provisions of penalty or compensation shall be as per the provisions of the provided in the UPERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations 2005 and subsequent amendments thereof or as determined by the Commission from time to time.

Power to give directions The Commission may from time to time issue such directions and orders as considered appropriate for the implementation of these Regulations.

March-April 2015

71Â

P O L I CY & REGUL A T I O N S

Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (RoofTop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems Based On Net Metering) Regulations, 2015.

Scope and application.-

These regulations shall apply to

multiple applications from the consumers

Interconnectivity, Standards and Safety.-

the distribution licensee and the eligible

covered by a transformer for participation in

consumers of the distribution licensee.

the scheme, the connectivity with the solar

ensure that the interconnection of the

PV system shall be allowed on first come

rooftop solar system with the distribution

first serve basis.

system of

These regulations do not preclude

the right of State authorities to undertake rooftop solar projects of any capacities

Provided further that in case of

Capacity of transformer. The distribution licensee

The distribution licensee shall

the licensee conforms to the specifications, standards and provisions as provided in the shall

Central Electricity Authority (Technical

provide information on its website regarding

Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed

General Principles.-

capacity available in different transformer(s)

Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013;

through alternative mechanisms.

Subject to the limits and other term

for feeding the eligible consumer at different

and conditions specified in these regulations,

locations for connecting Rooftop Solar PV

The interconnection of the rooftop solar

the eligible consumers of the distribution

System under net metering arrangement

system with the distribution system of the

licensee shall be entitled to install rooftop

within 3 (three) months from the date of

licensee conforms to the relevant provisions

solar PV system and use the power so

commencement of these regulations, and

of the Central Electricity Authority

generated at their premises. The surplus

shall update the same within one month

(Measures relating to Safety and Electricity

power can be injected into the grid system.

of the subsequent financial year under

Supply), Regulations, 2010.

intimation to the Commission.

Capacity of Rooftop Solar PV Procedure for making application Systems. All eligible consumers of electricity and registration.-

The eligible consumer may install

grid interactive Rooftop Solar PV Renewable Energy System with or without battery

in the area of supply of the distribution

The eligible consumer may make

backup: Provided that if the eligible

licensee can participate in the solar rooftop

the application, delivered by post or by

consumer, prefers connectivity with battery

net metering arrangement.

hand or through any electronic mode such

backup (full load backup/partial load

as online submission and e-mail etc., as

backup), in all such cases the inverter shall

The maximum peak capacity of the

per Form-1, to the distribution licensee

have separate backup wiring to prevent the

rooftop solar system to be installed by any

to connect the rooftop solar system to

battery/ Decentralized Generation(DG)

individual consumer shall not exceed 80 %

the distribution system of the distribution

power to flow into the grid in the absence

of the sanctioned contract demand:

licensee. The distribution licensee shall make

of grid supply and manual isolation

available format of the Form-1 on its website

switch shall also be provided.

Provided that the capacity of rooftop solar

and also at its local offices.

system to be installed by an eligible consumer

The eligible consumer shall be

The distribution licensee shall

responsible for safe operation, maintenance

acknowledge the application and take

and rectification of any defect of the rooftop

Provided further that the cumulative

all necessary actions including sending

solar system upto the point of net meter

capacity to be allowed in the area fed from

appropriate communications to the applicant:

beyond which the responsibility of safe

a transformer or any other transformer

Provided that where an application is

operation, maintenance and rectification of

from which power is fed to the eligible

received through electronic mode, the

any defect in the system, including the net

consumer shall not exceed 30%, or any

acknowledgment and other communication

meter, shall rest with the distribution

other percentage as may be fixed by the

shall be served through such electronic mode

licensee.

Commission, of the rated capacity of such

also and its hard copy shall be sent to the

transformer(s):

applicant by post or by hand delivery.

have the right to disconnect the rooftop

shall not exceed 1 MWp:

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March-April 2015

The distribution licensee shall

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solar system at any time in the event of

meters shall be installed at an accessible

applicable as per the applicable tariff:

possible threat/damage, from such rooftop

location of the premises.

Provided that where different rates of

solar system to its distribution system, to

The net meter to be installed for

energy charges are applicable for different

prevent an accident or damage. Subject to

the eligible consumer shall be compliant to

times of the day (normal, peak and night

subregulation (3), the distribution licensee

the requirements as per the applicable tariff

hours etc.) as per the applicable tariff, the

may call upon the eligible consumer to rectify

including those relating to time of day

net flow (import or export, as applicable) of

the defect within a reasonable time.

(ToD) tariff.

electrical energy for the respective times of

over the billing period shall be metered

eligible consumer shall sign the Net Metering

Energy Accounting and Settlement. The accounting of electricity

Connection Agreement as per Form-2. The

generated,consumed and injected by the

of energy by the consumer (i.e. net drawls

distribution licensee may modify the said

Rooftop Solar PV Generator under these

from the licensee’s system) during each such

Form, or add such conditions to it, as it may

regulations shall become effective from the

time of the day over the billing period shall

find necessary.

date of connectively of such system with the

be charged from the consumer at the rates

distribution system under these regulations.

applicable for respective times of the day

the day, as envisaged in the applicable tariff, The distribution licensee and the

Metering arrangement. Net meter as well

and recorded separately and the net import

as per the applicable tariff; as solar

The distribution licensee shall

generation meter, capable of measuring the

reflect in the bill the energy units exported

net flows and total generation respectively,

or imported, as the case may be, by the

consumer (i.e. net injection to the licensee’s

shall be installed and maintained at the cost

consumer during the billing period; and the

system) over the billing period shall be paid

of eligible consumer by the distribution

amount payable for each component of tariff

to the consumer, by way of adjustment in the

licensee and these meters shall be compliant

(i.e. Energy charges and Demand Charges

bill, at the rate(s) as the Commission may fix

to the system of recording meter reading

etc.).

from time to time for various categories of

through Meter

Reading Instrument (MRI) or through

of the flows recorded by the net meter.

also duly take into account various relevant

wireless:

factors such as grant or subsidy or both,

Billing shall be done on the basis The billing or adjustment, as the

The net export of energy by the

eligible consumers and while doing so, it may

Provided that if bills are prepared

on the basis of MRI downloads or if meter reading is taken on the basis of remote meter reading and the consumer wants to have a record of the reading taken, he shall be so provided by the licensee.

The meters installed shall be jointly

inspected and sealed on behalf of both the parties.

Not withstanding any thing

contained in sub-regulation (2), the meter reading taken by the distribution licensee shall form the basis of commercial settlement.

All the meters shall adhere to the

standards as specified in Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 and the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and

case may be, of the various charges as per

Operation of Meters)(Amendment)

the applicable tariff as well as for the net

Regulations, 2010.

export (i.e. injection by the consumer) shall

Provided that the following rate(s) shall be

be done in the following manner:-

applicable for a period of 5 years from the

All the meters to be installed for

net metering shall be of the same or of better

available from the Government agencies:

date of commencement of these regulations,

Accuracy Class Index than the existing meter

Energy Charges:-

or for such further period(s) as may be

installed for measuring the supply of

The net import of energy by the

extended by Commission from time to time-

the power to the consumer.

consumer (i.e. net drawls from the licensee’s

if the amount of subsidy or grant or

To facilitate easy access for meter

system) over the billing period shall be

both, available to eligible consumer from

reading to the distribution licensee, all

charged from the consumer at the rate(s)

Government agencies does not exceed 50%

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March-April 2015

of the capital cost of the Rooftop Solar PV

The distribution licensee in addition

system, the provisions of penalty or

system, the rate shall be equivalent to the

to applicable tariff shall be eligible to raise

compensation shall be applicable as per

rate of energy charge applicable for the

invoice for any other charges as allowed by

the provisions of the HPERC(Distribution

normal hours (day) as per the applicable

the Commission.

Performance Standards) Regulations,

tariff, irrespective of the time in which

2010. 15. Power to remove difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any

of subsidy or grant or both, available to

Exemption from wheeling, banking and cross subsidy surcharge.-

eligible consumer from Government agencies

Subject to any other provisions

Commission may, by a general or special

exceeds 50% of the capital cost of the

in these regulations, the Rooftop Solar PV

order, make such provisions not being

Rooftop Solar PV system, the rate shall

system under net metering arrangement

inconsistent with the provisions of these

be equivalent to 50% of the rate of energy

shall be exempted from wheeling, banking

regulations or the Act, as may appear to

charge applicable for the normal hours (day)

and cross subsidy surcharge for a period of

be necessary or expedient for the purpose

as per the applicable tariff, irrespective of

Five (5) years, unless extended thereafter.

of removing the difficulties. 16. Powers to

such export has taken place; if the amount

the time in which such export has taken

of the provisions of these regulations, the

give directions.- The Commission may from

Renewable Power Purchase Obligation.-

time to time issue such directions/ guidelines/

The quantum of electricity

appropriate for the implementation of these

The licensee shall charge the

generated under these regulations shall

regulations and also removal of difficulty, if

demand charges, including the additional

qualify towards compliance of Renewable

any.

demand charges for peak load hours and the

Power Purchase Obligation (RPPO) of the

contract demand violation charges, from the

distribution licensee:

Powers to relax.-

consumer as per the provisions of applicable

tariff:

consumer is an obligated entity, the quantum

or special order, for reasons to

place.

Demand Charges:

Provided that where an eligible

orders as it may consider deemed fit or

The Commission may by general

Provided that actual net demand of

of electricity generated by him over and

be recorded in writing, may relax any of the

power, drawn from the distribution system,

above his Renewable Power Purchase

provisions of these regulations on its own

during any demand period shall be considered

Obligation shall qualify towards compliance

motion or on an application made before it

as the actual demand of the consumer in that

of Renewable Power Purchase Obligation of

by an interested person.

demand period:

the distribution licensee.

Provided further that average

Powers to amend.-

Participation under Renewable Energy Certificate Mechanism.-

billing period shall also be worked out on the basis of the net import, if any, of energy

Nothing contained in these

may, from time to time, add, vary, alter,

from the distribution system in respect of

regulations shall apply to the Solar PV

suspend, modify, amend or repeal any

respective times of the day over the billing

generator intending to sell power under

provisions of these regulations. By order of

period.

Renewable Energy Certificate mechanism

the Commission

demand for any time of day block of the

Other charges:

and he shall be free to sell power under such mechanism, as per the provisions of the

Any other charges as per the

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission

applicable tariff shall be charged to the

(Terms and Conditions for recognition and

consumer at par with other consumers of

issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for

similar category who are not generating

Renewable Energy Generation) Regulations,

any Roof Top Solar PV power under this

2010.

scheme.

The eligibility for Renewable

Where slab rates are applicable

Energy Certificate and issue of such

as per the applicable tariff, such slab rates

certificate for Renewable Energy shall

shall be applicable for net energy/demand to

be as per the eligibility criteria specified

be billed for a month.(5) There shall be no

under the Central Electricity Regulatory

deemed generation charges payable to the

Commission (Terms and Conditions for

eligible consumer generating energy from

recognition and issuance of Renewable

rooftop Solar PV system.

Energy Certificate for Renewable Energy

Generation) Regulations, 2010.

In case the applicable tariff

Subject to the provisions of

Electricity Act, 2003, the Commission

provides for billing on kVAh basis, the net drawl or injection of energy shall also be

Penalty or Compensation.-

measured in kVAh.

74Â

March-April 2015

In case of failure of net metering

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PRODUCTS Eaton’s New Photovoltaic Fuses Increase Flexibility for High-Current Solar Applications NH fuses for PV applications maintain Eaton’s industry-leading efficiency and low-operating temperatures.”

Eaton’s New Bussmann Series NH Size Fuses Provide the Industry’s Highest Current Density and Consistent Bolt-Hole Pattern ST. LOUIS, MO — Power management company Eaton introduced its new Bussmann series 1000 volts direct current (Vdc) NH size photovoltaic (PV) solar fuses specifically designed for protecting and isolating array combiners, re-combiners, disconnects and inverters. With the industry’s highest current density and two available mounting options, the NH PV fuses provide design flexibility in a compact size. Eaton’s NH PV fuses meet global agency standards, simplifying designs for worldwide markets, and are available in traditional blade and bolt-on versions. The traditional blade version can be used with a fuse block to provide quick, tool-less replacement for easy maintenance. The bolt-on version can be bolted directly to a bus bar, reducing

Both fuse versions come with system monitoring accessories that provide dual visual indication and optional microswitches (for traditional blade version only) to make it easier to monitor system processes. Eaton develops and manufactures Bussmann series critical circuit protection, power management and electrical safety products designed to provide innovative circuit protection solutions. These products serve customers in the industrial, commercial, alternative energy, high reliability and other markets.

components and assembly time. With a common bolt pattern, the NH PV fuses are designed to easily integrate into a standardized bus bar design, regardless of fuse ampacity. “Eaton delivers a range of overcurrent protection devices for solar applications that protect valuable balance of system equipment and support uptime,” said Kevin Calzada, product manager, solar fuses, Eaton’s Bussmann Division. “Our latest

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges

JA Solar PV Modules Passes TUV High Grade Hail Test JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. one of the world’s largest manufacturers of highperformance solar power products, today announced that all of its PV modules have passed the high-grade hailstone impact test conducted by TUV Rheinland. During the high-grade hailstone impact test, hailstones with a diameter of 45 millimeters strike the glass surface of JA’s modules at a speed of 30.7 meters

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per second (about 110.5 kilometers per hour). In contrast, hailstones used in the standard hailstone impact test strike are only 25 millimeters in diameter and strike modules at a speed of only 23 meters per second. The anti-kinetic energy impact performance of JA modules is ten times the original industry standard.

withstand harsher weather conditions, it is a necessity that our modules pass the hailstone impact test under more stringent conditions. Passing the TUV high-grade hailstone impact test is further testament to the high reliability of JA Solar’s PV products and our competitive advantage as a leader in industrial PV technology”.

Mr. Jian Xie, President of JA Solar, commented, “In order for our products to

March-April 2015

PRODUCTS High Self-Consumption with Small PV Systems: SMA Launches Sunny Boy 1.5/2.5 SMA

Solar

Technology AG (SMA) launches the Sunny Boy 1.5/2.5*. The new Sunny Boy is the perfect inverter for customers who want to take full advantage of their small photovoltaic systems. Among other features, it supports a high rate of self-consumption, has a wide range of applications and is very easy to integrate into a home network. In addition, its innovative design, broad input voltage range of 80 V to 600 V and new communication concept offer numerous advantages during installation and commissioning. Thanks to direct communication with the SMA Energy Meter, both limitation to 70 percent, which is required the Sunny Boy 1.5/2.5 presents an

in Germany, and limitation to 0 percent is possible.

Simple and fast installation

innovation: The product engineers have

The innovative design of the Sunny Boy

translocated the entire display operation

The perfect inverter for small PV

1.5/2.5 is not only easy to install, but also

to mobile devices and PC. “The integrated

systems

allows for quick DC and AC connections

user interface makes it possible to monitor

With the Sunny Boy 1.5/2.5, SMA

via plug and play. For example, because it

system data on any smartphone or tablet,”

offers an inverter, which follows the current

weighs just 9 kg it can be suspended from

explained Manz. Users can choose between

trend toward small PV systems in terms

just two screws, with no additional wall

local and online monitoring via Sunny Places

of technology. After all, small PV systems

mounting bracket. Commissioning is equally

and Sunny Portal.

are particularly cost-effective due to lower

easy. “Through the integrated intuitive

investment costs and a high self-consumption

user interface, it is possible to choose the

rate. In addition, the new Sunny Boy is

necessary settings wirelessly in next to no

attractively priced. “Many people have a

time—without having to open the enclosure,”

small roof area or want to spend a small

said Product Manager Manz.

amount of money for their PV systems,” said Dieter Manz, Product Manager at SMA.

Communication via an innovative user

“For them, the new Sunny Boy is the perfect

interface Even when it comes to communication,

solution.”

March-April 2015

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PRODUCTS Teamtechnik’s Stringer Tt1800 Solders Solar Cells In A 2-Second Cycle

teamtechnik presented the new STRINGER TT1800 at the SNEC 2015 trade fair in Shanghai. The global market leader for stringer systems demonstrated the latest high-performance stringer with its unique single track technology live.

stringer supplied by teamtechnik is the best machine, wit h t h e m o s t stable processes, that I have ever experienced.”

teamtechnik has once again cut the cycle time and increased the stringer throughput to 50 MWp per year. At a cycle time of 2 seconds it is possible to produce up to 27 modules in an hour.

busbars.

New features in the production system ensure that teamtechnik customers will meet today’s and future production requirements. The Stringer TT1800 is designed to produce full and half-cell strings with up to five

teamtechnik has already supplied over 500 high-performance stringers around the world which makes the company one of the most reliable partners in the PV sector. Or as a customer of many years says: “The

teamtechnik demonstrated the new Stringer TT1800 live at stand E3 550 and soldering high-quality solar strings with IR light technology. Specialists from teamtechnik introduced the features of the production system in a live commentary.

Chemtrols Solar launches a range of High Quality & Innovative Solar LED Products Chemtrols Solar, one of India’s leading Solar companies, recently launched a range of portable LED based Solar Lamps and phone chargers, under the brand ‘Solarway’. The innovative Solarway range of products stand out for their design, quality & innovativeness. All of the products are childsafe and non-hazardous with Lithium-ion or Alkaline batteries making these extremely lightweight. These are portable, easy to handle, simple to operate, and offer longduration lighting after a single charge cycle, rendering it ideal for overnight outings, treks and for emergency and disaster relief applications. In addition to providing power, all Solarway products also have ports that enable easy charging of mobile phones. The premium lantern in this range provide 20 hours of continuous, reliable, trouble-free lighting, and in addition, comes with dedicated phone charging ports to charge two phones at a time, including a smart phone. The unit incorporates a FM radio as well and a detachable light for

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additional floor or ceiling lighting.

for their design, features, & durability”

Another unique product, the Homework light, promises to make it easier for students to continue uninterrupted study, even during Power cuts. This product also

Commenting on the Solarway range of products, Mr. Sharad Saxena, CEO, Chemtrols Solar says, “Our goal is to help people residing in various power deficient areas across the country at times power is absent, by providing a clean source of light that replace hazardous kerosene lamps. The attractive Solarway range offers best-in-class features and I am confident the consumer will see great value in our offering.”

comes in a range of attractive colours. Mr Anish Rajgopal, Founder Director of Chemtrols Solar says, “After establishing our presence in large sized Solar Power Plants, with this launch, Chemtrols Solar has now ventured into the retail space of Solar products. Over the next couple of years we aim to offer the Indian consumer a pipeline of products which will stand out

‘Solarway’ range of products are available in prices ranging from Rs. 749/- to Rs. 2949 and come with a 1 year warranty. These products are available on all popular e-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart & Snapdeal. A network of dealers ensure easy availability of the Solarway range and provide prompt after-sales service, if required.

March-April 2015

PRODUCTS Delta’s Smart and Modular Battery Energy Storage System Flex E3 Debut at Hannover Messe 2015 as Pillar of its System Integration Showcase Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions, announced

(and its smartphone live app) for Delta’s

detection and field control status. Energy

PV inverters.

monitoring of multiple plant sites and

its smart battery energy storage system Flex E3 debut at Hannover Messe 2015 with its

multiple buildings on one single platform can •

Built-in customized energy

highly integrated and flexible architecture

management modes for different customer

that offers homeowners and small businesses

requirements.

facilitate online monitoring and management from enterprise headquarters.

enhanced returns on renewable energy

Delta’s exhibition at Hannover Messe

The EV charging station displayed

investments. Delta’s core competencies in

2015 highlights the company’s capabilities

in this section is the AC Mini a new wall

high-efficiency power electronics, building

in integrating systems for the Europe, Middle

mount charging platform suitable for

automation and in-house component

East and Africa (EMEA) region and India.

electric vehicle user charging at home and

integration enable its Flex E3 to offer energy

workplace. It offers maximum output power

conversion efficiency of 93% and a smart-

of up to 7.4kW, a compact, light, and smart

grid controller platform for optimal-cost

design and other key features:

energy storage and consumption. Visitors can experience Delta’s system integration

• Stylish ergonomic design

capabilities as this showcase will present

• Robust ingress protection IP55 and

the Delta Flex E3, the energy monitoring

vandal-proof casing

software Delta Energy Online, and our

• Easy for installation

electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions as

• Built-in network connectivity for back

a complete platform that underscores the

office management

company’s commitment to promoting green

• Forward compatibility through over-the-

buildings.

air firmware upgrade

Delta Flex E3 provides a variety of

Thus, the energy storage solution will be

The significant energy-saving and plug-

system architectures for diverse customer

presented as a total platform for eco-friendly

and-play qualities of our energy storage

needs with a single system offering storage

homes and businesses together with our

solution and Delta’s commitment to

capacity from 2.9 kWh to 3.7 kWh or with

energy monitoring software for buildings,

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to

three systems in parallel offering up to 11.0

Delta Energy Online, and Delta’s AC Mini

the promotion of green buildings inspired the

kWh depending on the selection of lead-acid

EV charging station.

company to support a university team that

or lithium-ion batteries. The system also features: •

participated in the 2014 Solar Decathlon Delta Energy Online provides real-

Europe competition, held in Versailles,

time and historical energy data display,

France. Delta donated and helped integrate

Delta’s own AC inverters which

data analysis reports, device management,

its high efficiency solutions for solar energy

offer >96% energy conversion efficiency and

system monitoring, and other functions for

generation, storage, management and

nominal continuous power output of 2.34

enterprises and homeowners that seek to

environment control systems to power the

kW for a single system or up to 7.0 kW for

implement and maintain a strategic approach

“Orchid House” constructed by the Unicode

a 3 systems in parallel configuration.

for energy savings in their buildings. In

team of the National Chiao Tung University

and

addition, Delta Energy Online collects

(NCTU) from Taiwan.

management through its communication

relevant data and supports a wide variety

capabilities that support Ethernet, RS-485,

of I/O information, including electricity

CAN bus interfaces. Compatible with the

consumption, air-conditioning system

monitoring software SOLIVIA Monitor

operation, weather information, human

•

Remote

monitoring

March-April 2015

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PRODUCTS JA Solar PV Modules Pass TUV Double Standard Class 6 Salt Mist Corrosion Test JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. one of the world’s largest manufacturers of highperformance solar power products, today announced that its salt mist resistance PV modules passed the Double Standard IEC 61701 Salt Mist Corrosion Test (Severity Level 6) conducted by TUV Nord. JA Solar PV modules is the first in the industry to pass the test and JA highlighted this enhanced reliability at recent trade shows, such as Intersolar Beijing and the SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai.

weather and minimize power loss. In the TUV Nord testing, JA modules demonstrated power loss of less than 2%.

TUV Nord conducted the IEC 61701 Salt Mist Corrosion Test, Severity Level 6 on JA modules. This test is the most stringent in the industry, and features eight cycles of tests within 56 days. The Double Standard Class 6 test is twice as difficult, because it extends the duration to 112 days. Mr. Jian Xie, President of JA Solar, commented, “The reliability, power output and lifespan of solar PV modules are sometimes challenged by the severe weather conditions in coastal areas. Achieving certification in this test again demonstrates the durability and high quality of JA Solar products. We take pride in our record of success in meeting the needs of our customers through continuous product innovation.”

Solar modules located in coastal areas are at greater risk of performance degradation and shorter lifespan due to the effect of salt mist, which can obscure glass and corrode components such as frames and junction boxes. JA Solar’s line of modules is ruggedized to withstand harsh coastal

Skytron® Energy Launches Pvguard® 2.1 For Optimized Pv Plant Performance PV supervision platform improves O&M capabilities for globally active PV plant owners skytron® energy launched a new version of its leading PV supervision software PVGuard. Thanks to a range of new features and significant improvements in data management, PVGuard 2.1 stands for best-in-class supervision and remote monitoring of PV plants. The highlight of the upgraded PVGuard is the newly introduced dashboard for the clear display of all performance and yield characteristics of a PV plant. The Dashboard Designer enables PV plant owners and operators to design their own customized plant displays, which show at a glance exactly the information they need. With this new tool, PVGuard users can also design their own mimic diagrams suited to their individual

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arrangement of plants and featuring their own branding. “We are excited to launch the new version of our industry-leading PV

supervision platform,” says Hendrik Hoffman, Director of Software, Service and O&M at skytron® energy. “With its enhanced usability, the PVGuard 2.1 truly adds value to our customers’ operations and maintenance capabilities.”

The PVGuard 2.1 includes improvements in the way supervision data for plants in different time zones is handled in charts, tables and in the pre-defined views. This is especially important for operators with a global portfolio of solar power systems and plants spread across different regions. The new version also includes significant improvements in the emailing functionality and allows PV plant owners to define multiple email lists for plants, each with different set of recipients. Plant operators can now configure emails to be sent at a defined time or on the basis of a triggering alarm. PVGuard supports all inverters and energy meters in common use. The new version released today has automatically been made available to all PVGuard customers over night.

March-April 2015

PRODUCTS The New Solys Gear Drive Sun Tracker – Highest Load, Widest Temperature Range, Best Performance measure direct, diffuse

extremely hot regions the SOLYS Gear

and global solar radiation

Drive can be fitted with a sun shield. This

and thermal sky radiation,

reduces heating of the housing by direct solar

for inputs to weather

insolation and extends the upper operating

forecasting, solar energy

temperature range to +60°C.

and climate models. The new SOLYS Gear Drive

Kipp & Zonen has developed new

is the most powerful

and smart Windows™ software with an

automatic sun tracker

attractive user interface that allows remote

available for monitoring

monitoring and logging of the tracker status,

solar radiation.

solar zenith and azimuth angles, GPS time

After extensive testing Kipp

and date, and more; through Ethernet or an

& Zonen selected a state-

isolated RS-485 port. The integrated Web

of-the-art reduction gear

Interface with Ethernet connection allows

system, with integrated

operational parameters to be viewed and

high load bearings, that

set, history log files can be downloaded,

is maintenance -free,

and firmware can be updated.

compact, durable and Some climates and applications ask for more. More strength, a wider operating temperature range and more payload to hold more, and heavier, instruments. Kipp & Zonen is proud to present the perfect sun tracker for these more demanding circumstances; the SOLYS Gear Drive. Its high torque and large temperature range make it suitable for the harshest climates and carrying heavy loads. Thanks to its high precision gear drive system this new

highly accurate. As a result

The new SOLYS Gear Drive sun

the SOLYS Gear Drive has a payload of 80

tracker combines the highest payload, the

kg and over 60 Nm of torque , allowing for

widest temperature range and the most

the use of multiple and/or heavy instruments.

advanced communication with smart software for real-time status information.

The wide temperature range is

achieved thanks to a high capacity internal heater. For extremely cold regions an insulated cover is available that allows operation in temperatures down to -50°C and with wind speeds up to 20 m/s. For

sun tracker does not require maintenance, making it ideal for operation in remote locations.

A sun tracker typically holds

instruments such as pyrheliometers, absolute cavity radiometers or sun photometers that must be pointed precisely at the sun by following its arc throughout the day. However, it may also carry a shading assembly to block the direct sun beam from reaching pyranometers and pyrgeometers. Kipp & Zonen sun trackers are widely used in networks of solar monitoring stations that 80

March-April 2015

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The 8th Energy Storage World Forum Date: 18-22 May 2015 Place: Rome, Italy Organiser: Intersolar Tel.: +44 20 80901613 Email: emily@energystorageforum.com Web.: www.energystorageforum.com

Intersolar Europe 2015

Semicon West 2015

Date: 10-12 June 2015 Place: Munich, Germany Organiser: Solar Promotion Tel.: +49 7231 58598-25 Email: dufner@intersolar.de Web.: www.intersolar.de

Date: 14-16 July 2015

Energex Africa 2015 Date: 20-22 May 2015 Place: Johannesburg, South Africa Organiser: Eurasiamedia Tel.: +27 11 7837250 Email: sales@ exhibitionsafrica.com Web.: www.exhibitionsafrica.com/ems/energexafrica

Greenpower 2015 Date : 26-28 May 2015 Place : Poznań, Poland Tel.: +48 61 8692000 Email: info@mtp.pl Web.: greenpower.mtp.pl

Place: San Francisco, California, USA Organiser: SEMI Tel.: 1 408 9436900 Email: sales@semi.org Web.: www.semiconwest.org

Semicon Russia 2015

Date: 17-18 June 2015 Place: Moscow, Russia Organiser: Solarmedia Tel.: +7 499 7953799 Email: yulia.solovieva@businessmediarussia.ru Web.: www.semiconrussia.org/SCRUSSIA-EN/

Enersolar+ Brasil 2015

Solar South 2015

POWER-GEN Africa 2015

Date: 19-21 June 2015 Place: Chennai , India Organiser: Smart Expos

Date: 15-17 July 2015 Place: Cape Town, South Africa Organiser: Pennwell Tel.: 27 21 9309515 Email : exhibitpgaf@pennwell.com Web.: www.powergenafrica.com

Tel.: 91 44 22501985 / +91 95000 70800 Email: solarsouth@smartexpos.in Web.: www.solarsouth.in

Power & Electricity World Philippines 2015 Date : 3-4 June 2015 Place : Manila, Philippines Organiser: Terrapinn Tel.: +65 6322 2766 Email: valerie.lim@terrapinn.com Web.: www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/power-electricity-world...

12th Renewable Energy Finance Forum Date: 24-Jun-15 Place: New York, USA Organiser: Euro Money Tel.: 1 212 9013828 Email: energyevents@euromoneyplc.com Web.: www.reffwallstreet.com

Date: 15-17 July 2015 Place: Sao Paulo, Brazil Organiser: SmartEnergy Srl Tel.: 39 02 66306866 Email: info@enersolarbrasil.com Web.: www.enersolarbrasil.com

PV Japan 2015 Date: 29-31 July 2015 Place: PV Japan 2015 Organiser: Nikkei PR Advertising Co. Tel.: 81.3.6812.8694 Email: pvj@nikkeipr.co.jp Web.: www.jpea.gr.jp/pvj2015

POWER-GEN Europe 2015 Date : 9-11 June 2015 Place : Amsterdam, Netherlands Organiser: Pennwell Tel.: +44 1992 656645 Email: amandak@pennwell.com Web.: www.powergeneurope.com

Intersolar North America 2015 Date: 14-16 July 2015 Place: San Francisco, California, USA Organiser: Solar Promotion Tel.: 49 7231 58598-206 Email: brade@intersolar.us Web.: www.intersolar.us

The 7th Guangzhou International Solar PV Exhibition 2015 Date: 18-20 Aug 2015 Place: Guangzhou, China Organiser: Guangdong Grandeur International Exhibition Group Tel.: 86 20 29188156 Email: grand.ev@grahw.com Web.: www.pvguangzhou.com

For Listing of your Event : Conference and events are listed free-of-charge, so please feel free to get in touch to tell us about your event. We would also be happy to provide you with free copies of magazine for distribution at your events.(while stock last). Please send your conference information to : Mr. Gourav Garg at gourav.garg@EQmag.net

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