Saurenergy International Magazine July Issue 2020

SAUR ENERGY www.saurenergy.com

July 2020 | Rs. 200

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

DCP LICENSING NO. F.2(S-29) PRESS/2016 l VOL 4 l ISSUE 11 l TOTAL PAGES 64 l PUBLISHED ON 1ST OF EVERY MONTH

Time to Look at

SOLAR STRUCTURES Inside-

RIDING THE SUN.

The Solar Inverter Market Report

RIDING THE SUN

Solar Inverter Market Outlook in India JULY 2020

1

Novasys | Pennar | Energy+Meteo | Renew Power | NREL

Compiled by Saur Energy Research Bureau Group Editor: Prasanna Singh For Queries, contact us at info@saurenergy.com

From The Editor PRASANNA SINGH Group Editor

prasanna@meilleurmedia.com

W

elcome to another issue of Saur Energy. We hope you have been safe, and continue to hope for your continued well being.

It's getting busier in the solar sector finally, where we have seen quite a lot of decisions that make us wonder what the future holds for the sector. Like the strange demand from Punjab for a 10 percent discount from solar energy generators.

Or the widely different demands for protection,and insurance from protection respectively, from manufacturers and developers alike. Or the big announcement for a move into manufacturing by Renew Power.

In between all this, we have managed to produce a comprehensive report on Solar Inverters, which we hope will fill a knowledge and information gap that still remained, despite all the ranking studies. Do check it out.

Our cover feature also moves away from the politics and crossfire of modules and cells to the issue of solar structures, something most people seem to take for granted. Well, the news is, don't. Making mistakes here could kill your project returns.

Enjoy the story. Stay safe, stay committed.

Prasanna Singh prasanna@meilleurmedia.com

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04 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

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Editor, Publisher, Printer and Owner make every effort to ensure high quality and accuracy of the content published. However he cannot accept any responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor and publisher. The information in the content and advertisement published in the magazine are just for reference of the readers. However, readers are cautioned to make inquiries and take their decision on purchase or investment after consulting experts on the subject. Saur Energy International holds no responsibility for any decision taken by readers on the basis of the information provided herein. Any unauthorised reproduction of Saur Energy International magazine content is strictly forbidden. Subject to Delhi Jurisdiction.

content

www.saurenergy.com | vol 4 | issue 11

26

RIDING THE SUN Solar Inverter Market Outlook in India

06 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

08 14 16 18 24

POLICY MERC Provides Relief To Renew Power On Project Delay Plea

GRID Sterlite Power Concludes Refinancing of GPTL Project With HDFC Bank

INNOVATION Long Lasting Solar Storage Possible With Solar Flow Battery

THE CONVERSATION SUSHIL BANSAL Novasys Greenergy

THE CONVERSATION PRASOON CHAUDHARY Pennar Industries Limited

PROJECT SECI Tenders for 1070 MW Solar Projects in Rajasthan

EVs EESL In Pact With NOIDA Authority For EV Charging Stations

MARKET 5.5 GW PV Additions in India in FY21; 15% Decline due to COVID-19: ICRA

OPINION Understanding The Record Rs 2.36 Bid at SECI’s 2 GW auction. Just Covid 19?

FINANCE NLC India, CIL Form JV to Co-Develop 5 GW Solar & Thermal Assets

20 COVER STORY

38 42 46 50 54

COMPANY PROFILE

36

The Solar Foundation: Solar Structures Need Attention

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 07

POLICY UPDATES

MERC Provides Relief To Renew Power On Project Delay Plea

In a ruling that follows a well trodden path for multiple wind energy developers in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), has provided relief to Renew Power SPV (Special Purpose vehicle) Renew Vayu Urja Private Limited (Renew)in a case against the MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd). Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) and and Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd. (MSETC) were the other respondents. Renew’s plea primarily centered around seeking a direction to MSEDCL for not encashing the Performance Bank Guarantee and Declaration of Extension of Scheduled Commercial Operation Date on account of Force Majeure for its 76 MW project.

The project got embroiled in delays owing to multiple reasons, from a change in size caused by grid transmission issues, to name change of the developer, leading ultimately to delays in financial closure (FC) and Scheduled Day of Comissioning (SCOD).

The MSEDCL , seem to have tripped up mostly on account of the delays it caused by insisting that power evacuation in the name of any entity other than bidder will not be allowed. However, the commission noted two critical things One, that in the overall project of 500 MW won by various bidders in this case, virtually every winner had faced the same set of grid connectivity related issues, and been allowed extensions.

Secondly, MSEDCL seems to have ignored the commissions previous order in Case No. 131 of 2019 had specifically held that delay in getting grid connectivity in the name of the Developer after diligent follow ups by the generator is a force majeure event.

08 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

Rooftop Solar in Delhi Breaks Free of Height Constraints The two metre height regulation in Delhi, which was seen as a constraint by many owners, owing to the impact it would have on other uses for rooftops, has been removed.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has relaxed norms governing the height of the panels, making it easier for many to consider solar rooftop again. The new rules allow rooftop panels at “any height or level, including ground level, terrace and rooftop, subject to the maximum height permitted by AAI and clearance from Delhi Fire Services.”

The bylaws have been amended and notified

by Delhi Development Authority.

While the rule change is a welcome step, it remains to be seen if it helps in any way.

For a user, increasing the height might even help escape shadows from neighbouring buildings or even trees, but it will come at a higher cost for the mounting structure.

Adding anything beyond 3 metres might

even necessitate extra strengthening work to ensure the ‘pillars’ stand the 10-25 year warranty installers promise.

Interestingly, rooftop solar, at least the subsidised part, remains a strictly controlled option in most states, with specific capacity targets for firms that have been empaneled.

Chances are, a sudden spike in demand, even if it were to happen, would probably not be serviced if overall targets have been met. Amplus (HomeScape By Amplus) is currently installing solar rooftops in Delhi as an approved vendor, with a limited target.

Delhi itself offers the highest rooftop potential in government owned buildings and institutions like schools, where some headway has already been made. In most other commercial markets and even houses, there have been issues beyond just the height restrictions which have been a factor, be it rooftop use for other purposes, ownership wrangles, or even the quality of the roof floor itself.

MERC Rules In MSEDCL Favour In Case Involving Greenko Subsidiary The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has gone with the MSEDCL view in a case involving Orange Maha Wind Energy Private Limited (Orange Wind), a subsidiary of Orange Renewables, now owned by the Hyderabad based Greenko group. The judgement was uploaded on July 11, on the MERC site.

The case in question, involved the contention of Orange Wind , that the energy supplied by one of its 2 MW Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) in the state be counted and accounted for by MSEDCL. The problem for the firm was that this particular WTG was not registered with the MEDA (Maharashtra Energy Development Authority). Unlike the remaining 32 MW of energy from the same project. The 5 year old project dispute finally boiled over with the MSEDCL sending out a letter for disconnection of the said WTG. The registration was stuck due to the generator being closer to a village road(185 metres)

than allowed under the regulations or as claimed by Orange Wind (330 metres). This issue remains unresolved as on date.

Orange Wind’s contention for payment rested on the fact that it was scheduling and supplying power from the said WTG too, to which MSEDCL had not objected according to it. MSEDCL also never provided any credit notes for the ‘missing’ payments to Orange Wind. The firm claimed that 20.17 MU (million units) of energy from the said WTG are unpaid.

MSEDCL contended that with no agreement for the said WTG, it was not bound to buy the power from it or pay for it, and raised the additional issue of grid stability to disconnect the same. It also contended that a common meter made it impossible for it to prevent injection from the said WTG, though it was not bound to pay for it at all in the absence of an energy purchase agreement (EPA)for the same, due to its pending registration.

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POLICY UPDATES

MNRE Declares March 25-May 31 as Lockdown Period for RE Projects The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a new order clarifying that the lockdown period for time extension for renewable energy projects as per its previous order will be considered from March 25, 2020, when the lockdown was first started to May 31, 2020.

The new order comes in continuation of the MNRE’s order from April 17, 2020, regarding time-extension for renewable energy (RE) projects due to lockdown due to COVID-19. The ministry had directed all RE implementing agencies of the MNRE to treat lockdown due to COVID-1 9, as Force Majeure and that they may grant an extension of time for RE projects equivalent to the period of lockdown and additional 30 days for normalisation after the end of such lockdown. States/UTs were also requested to treat the Lockdown due to COVID-19, as Force Majeure and to consider granting appropriate time extension on account of such lockdown.

Ritu Lal, Senior VP and Head Institutional Relations at Amplus Solar said “while the Lockdown started as a national initiative, the lifting of the lockdown has been staggered due to the respective state authorities. Some parts of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, for example, are still under lockdown. In this renewed phase of the lockdown, where some parts of the country are still not operational, human resource availability is proving to be a challenge.

“The impact of labour shortages is not uniform across the country, and in some areas, labour mobilisation has become very difficult. Long-distance interstate transport remains a challenge. Giving a deadline at this stage for Renewable Energy projects may not be suitable. Instead, a minimum extension of three months (from the day of lifting the lockdown in the state) like the NSEFI have also written to the will be needed to deliver projects under minister asking for a broader definition, or a construction.”

Other solar developer and industry bodies clean six month allowance.

Plans in Place to More Than Triple Local Solar Manufacturing Capacity The central government has proposed a major push to domestic manufacturing of renewable energy (solar) equipment in the country that would completely eliminate the need for imports, particularly from countries such as China.

As part of the plan, an accelerated manufacturing plan is being operationalised that is incentivising setting up of solar cell manufacturing capacity of 4,000 MW that would allow project developers to restrict the import of this product completely.

Additionally, 3,000 MW of fresh solar cell capacity is being added under manufacturing linked bids for solar projects.

This would incentivise power project developers planning to manufacture in India. The current capacity of solar cell manufacturing in India is about 2,500 MW. This is proposed to rise over three times in the coming years. In the case of solar modules as well, 7,000 MW of capacity is being added in addition to existing capacity.

Power minister RK Singh had said earlier that under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, 10 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

domestic manufacturing capacities would be expanded at a rapid pace for meeting goals towards import substitution. The plan for the renewable sector, he had said, should not only be sufficient to meet the country’s needs but would also support exports and earn the country valuable foreign exchange.

As reported by us earlier, the Minister had confirmed in a press conference that duties,

possibly starting at 25 percent, will be imposed on module imports from August 1. He wasn’t absolutely certain on duties for cell imports but indicated they would be treated at a lower rate, possibly 15 percent. It is also not clear if customs duties on imports may be spread wider this time, beyond China and Malaysia as was done in the case of the safeguard duty.

POLICY UPDATES

MNRE Extends Timelines for ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced that it has extended the timelines of the Request for Proposal (RfP) for developing a long term vision, implementation plan road map, and institutional framework for implementing the One Sun One World One Grid initiative.

The ministry has stated that the response to vendors’ requests for clarification on the RfP, which were all supposed to be cleared by July 13, 2020, at the latest – will be altered and the ministry will now issue a corrigendum on July 27, 2020.

Further, the ministry has also extended the deadline for the submission of proposals.

For online submissions, the deadline now is August 10, 2020, while it is August 12, 2020, for offline submissions. The evaluation of the proposals will still take an estimated 4 weeks before they can be approved.

In May, the ministry had invited proposals from eligible consulting firms for developing

No Import of Fossil Fuel Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Vision: RK Singh a long-term vision, implementation plan, road map and institutional framework for implementing ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG). In line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for connecting solar energy supply across borders by giving the mantra of ‘One World One Sun One Grid’ while addressing the inaugural function of 2nd Global RE-Invest meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Association and the first assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Delhi.

India’s motive behind the OSOWOG initiative is to take another leap towards building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources that are seamlessly shared for mutual benefits and global sustainability. The project, while lofty in its objectives, will need some truly blue sky thinking from consultants, considering the massive scope and scale of global cooperation it envisages.

Valid PPAs Before Aug 1 to get Exemption on Higher Duty on Imports Solar power developers that are still on course or in the process of starting work on the development of new solar projects in the country might be exempted from paying the newly proposed higher customs duty on import Chinese equipment for their projects. As per a new report, a power ministry official has said that projects with valid power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed before August 1, 2020, will be exempted from the proposed import duty on solar equipment and components even if such imports are to be done from China.

However, this will only be a one-time exemption as the centre under its ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission wants to restrict imports of all equipment for which domestic manufacturing is existing.

The move can also be compared to the ending of the Federal Tax Credit system 12 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

in the United States for renewable energy projects. Which saw multiple project developers rushing to finish projects in time to be able to secure the tax redemption. A similar flurry of project announcements and PPAs might be witnessed in the Indian Market now, especially since the tender pipeline in solar did not quite slow down as much as the Covid pandemic impacted other sectors. The Power Ministry had recently proposed a 20-25 percent basic customs duty on solar module imports for the current year that will go up to 40 percent level in the next year. Also, the duty on solar cells has been proposed at a 15 percent level for the first year and a higher 30-40 percent level in the next year. The levy has been proposed to become effective from August 1, when the existing 15 percent safeguard duty on solar component imports expires.

Zero dependence on fossil fuel is required to fully realise the vision behind the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh has said. Singh also said that once renewable energy and balancing power become cost-effective, thermal electricity and fossil fuel will be a thing of the past in India’s energy mix.

It’s a lofty ambition, considering India’s current status as the world’s third highest importer of crude oil. “The vision for a truly Aatmanirbhar Bharat is zero-dependence on fossil fuel imports,” Singh said in his address at CII Digital Conference on Aatmanirbhar Bharat on Renewable Energy Manufacturing. The minister’s statement assumes significance in the wake of India’s huge dependence on the import of fossil fuels. “India is constantly thinking innovation in bringing out bids. It came out with a bid on Renewable Energy & storage.

The Government is also exploring other bid options such as – round-the-clock grid energy, balance by thermal, balance by hydro, etc. The end objective is to increase demand for storage and bring down prices,” he said in a statement issued by industry body CII. In order to bring down renewable tariffs, storage has to be viable, pumped hydro to take off, in-house manufacturing to jumpstart and battery to become cheap, Singh opined. “Hydrogen may be the next big thing for transportation, alongside batteries to understand which is more economically viable. A city-wise segregated approach for the launch of hydrogen and batteries will be undertaken to measure the practical cost-effectiveness of these options,” Singh said.

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GRID UPDATES

Sterlite Power Concludes Refinancing of GPTL Project With HDFC Bank Leading power transmission player – Sterlite Power has announced that it has successfully completed the refinancing of the loan for the Gurgaon Palwal Transmission Limited (GPTL) project, within 3 months of the project becoming fully operational in April 2020. The new financing to prepay the existing project loan of Rs 800 crores has been arranged

by HDFC Bank. The new facility has been availed at significantly favourable terms demonstrating the considerably improved risk profile of the project post achievement of CoD (Date of Commercial Operation).

With this transaction, Sterlite Power has achieved a reduction of almost 300 basis points in the interest cost to be incurred by the project on a per annum basis. As per the firm, the refinancing of this critical ISTS project also highlights the keen interest of financial institutions in funding power transmission projects with stable long-term cash flows.

Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite

Power, said, “we are pleased to conclude refinancing of our GPTL project loan by India’s leading financial institution, HDFC Bank. It is a testimony of the continued trust reposed on us by the banking and investor community for our ability to deliver challenging projects on time, with the highest standards of quality and safety, while delivering strong returns.”

Successfully commissioned in the month of April 2020, the GPTL project connects ~2000 MW additional power to Gurugram and Palwal areas in the state of Haryana in India.

Apart from making Gurugram DG-set free, this project will enable access to reliable power for more than 3 million households in the state. This project has implemented India’s first vertical GIS substations built at Prithla, Kadarpur, and Sohna. Apart from saving land, this innovation has resulted in offsetting more than 18,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year as compared to the conventional layout of a similar GIS substation.

Average Power Price in RTM Lowers to Rs 2.22 per Unit in June The average spot power price in the realtime market (RTM) in its first month of operation of June was at Rs 2.22 per unit, which is lower than Rs 2.35 per unit in the day-ahead market at the Indian Energy Exchange.

The RTM allows consumers to purchase electricity at the exchange just one hour before delivery while in the day-ahead market (DAM), power is bought for supply the next day.

IEX launched the real-time market on May 31, 2020, for the delivery of power from June. In a statement, the firm said that RTM has accomplished a volume of 515.46 MU (million units) in June 2020. According to the statement, RTM saw substantial sell-side liquidity at 1,810 MU – 2.4 times of the buy volumes at 742 MU-and competitive price discovery.

Consequently, the average market clearing price was at Rs 2.22 per unit, lower than the 14 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

DAM average price for June, at Rs 2.35 per unit, it added. The attractive prices enabled great savings and good financial liquidity for the utilities as well as the open-access consumers.

Setting a new precedent, two of IEX clients – Raipur Power and Raigarh Energy Generation, became the first generators to have bought electricity to meet their commitment, it stated.

“The milestone of 515.46 MU volume in the first month is really an impressive accomplishment and has been possible due to the robust fundamental value proposition of this new market segment. The technology enablement, capacity building and other customer-centric solutions that we provided supported the market to a great start and indeed enabled IEX to reach this high point in a span of just a month,” said Rohit Bajaj, Head – Business Development and Senior Vice President at IEX.

AIPEF Requests all CMs to Reject the Electricity Amendment Bill The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has urged all chief ministers (CMs) to reject the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 saying that the draft amendments in the new bill will weaken the authority of states in the power sector.

The federation shot off a letter to the chief ministers ahead of a meeting of ministers concerned with Union Power Minister RK Singh on July 3, 2020.

“Union Power Minister has called a virtual meeting of energy ministers of all states tomorrow (July 3) to discuss the Bill 2020 and only half-hour time has been allowed for discussion,” AIPEF said in a statement.

The draft bill was circulated for feedback in April this year.

AIPEF spokesperson VK Gupta said the clarifications issued by the power ministry only reinforces the apprehension of various stakeholders that the Centre is determined to weaken the authority of states in the development of power.

The Bill has no provision to constitute a common committee for selection of members of State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, and chairman so that the time delay in constituting selection committee is avoided, it pointed out.

The State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) would be allowed to function independently in determining the retail tariff.

However, AIPEF said the central government intends to dictate its terms to SERCs through the tariff policy and thereby enforce its will on them. States must have the freedom to adopt payment of subsidy as per field conditions and the DBT (direct benefit transfer) payment mode should not be enforced by the Centre as electricity is a concurrent subject, it added.

It’s a call for maintaining status quo at a time when the sector is crossing new records in losses every year. Not exactly the most convincing way to make their case.

INNOVATION UPDATES

Long Lasting Solar Storage Possible With Solar Flow Battery Chemists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and their collaborators have created a highly efficient and long-lasting solar flow battery, a way to generate, store and redeliver renewable electricity from the sun in one device.

The new device is made of silicon solar cells combined with advanced solar materials integrated with optimally designed chemical components. The solar flow battery, made by the Song Jin lab in the UW–Madison chemistry department, achieved a new record efficiency of 20 percent. A number that bests most commercially available silicon solar cells used today and is almost 40 percent more efficient than the previous record holder for solar flow batteries, which coincidentally was also developed by the Jin lab.

While solar flow batteries are years away from commercialization, they offer the potential to provide reliable electricity generation and storage for lighting, cell phones or other fundamental uses for homes in remote areas. According to the team, these batteries combine the advantages of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity with the advantages of flow batteries, which use tanks of chemicals that can react to produce electricity and be recharged by the solar cells.

The researchers published their work on July 13, 2020, in the journal

Nature Materials. UW–Madison graduate student Wenjie Li is the lead author of the study. The Jin lab collaborated with researchers from the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney in Australia, Utah State University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and the City University of Hong Kong.

NREL Research Points to Strategies for Recycling of Solar Panels PV modules have a 30-year lifespan.

Disposal or recycling of these modules currently figures low on the priorities of manufacturers. The volume of modules no longer needed could total 80 million metric tons by 2050. In addition to quantity, the nature of the waste also poses challenges.

PV modules are made of valuable, precious, critical, and toxic materials. There is currently no standard for how to recycle the valuable ones and mitigate the toxic ones.

In light of which researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have conducted the first global assessment into the most promising approaches to end-oflife management for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Numerous articles review individual options for PV recycling but, until now, no one has done a global assessment of all PV recycling efforts to identify the most promising approaches.

“PV is a major part of the energy transition,” said Garvin Heath, a senior scientist at NREL who specialises in sustainability science and is the lead author of the paper ‘Research and development priorities for silicon photovoltaic module recycling supporting 16 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

a circular economy,’ which appears in the journal Nature Energy. “We must be good stewards of these materials and develop a circular economy for PV modules.”

“It provides a succinct, in-depth synthesis of where we should and should not steer our focus as researchers, investors, and policymakers,” Heath said.

The authors focused on the recycling of crystalline silicon, a material used in more than 90 percent of installed PV systems in a very pure form. It accounts for about half of the energy, carbon footprint, and cost to produce PV modules, but only a small portion of their mass. Silicon’s value is determined by its purity.

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THE CONVERSATION

Sushil Bansal

Founder and Managing Director | Novasys Greenergy

There’s a dire need of stability in policies, commitment and political will With the date for imposition of a fresh Basic Customs Duty on cell and module import drawing nearer, manufacturers in India are look to the future with guarded optimism.

We spoke to Sushil Bansal, the Founder and Managing Director at Novasys Greenergy, an established firm with a 100MW capacity. Sushil has been responsible for the group’s fray into renewable energy.

18 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

THE CONVERSATION As the government moves towards a BCD regime on duties, we have heard numbers from 20 to 50 percent . What is your recommendation?

The imposition of BCD on imports of solar modules and cells is a welcome move by the government. Though the quantum is not yet finalised, it is expected that BCD shall be increasing in steps.

However, there should be a substantial difference in the BCD structure of imported cells and modules. According to market conditions, minimum BCD of 30% on modules and 15% on cells should be imposed which will create ample difference in the predatory pricing by Chinese manufacturers. It should stepwise be increased upto 40% and 20% on modules and cells.

Do you believe this latest push for manufacturing would work? Does Novasys plan to expand capacity now ?

Yes, government’s emphasis on “Vocal for Local” shall definitely work for the Indian manufacturers. However, the tenure of duties is very crucial as it will boost confidence among manufacturers and pump in new investments for backward integration of solar supply chain. We have plans to expand to 300MW which can make all types of latest modules in c-si technology.

With the utility sector driven by price, do you think our poor progress on rooftop solar has been a big factor in suppressing domestic expansion o manufacturing? What , in you view, is the best case for solar rooftop capacity additions in India ?

To our dismay, the rooftop solar has certainly performed poorly during last one year. This is mainly due to discoms discouraging rooftop solar and uncertainty in policies. However, currently solar rooftop is not a driving force for module manufacturers.

There are other areas such as solar pumps which have substantial consumption of solar panels. The capacity addition in module manufacturing has in fact doubled in the last 2 years.

With a 100 MW capacity for Mono Perc and Bifacials, how do you market to your potential customers with what is a ‘premium’ offering in effect?

Our premium products are high efficiency mono perc modules which can reach upto 395-400 watt with full cell and Bifacial modules with Tedlar based transparent backsheet. This is our latest offering which ensures superior performance and reliability over non Tedlar based or Glass-glass modules. The generation from bifacial modules can increase upto 30% depending upon ambient conditions.

When do you see utility scale projects using MonoPerc or even Bifacials at a larger scale in India ? Are we missing out in a big way by not considering these seriously ?

Utility scale projects are currently price driven. The decision is based on Rs./Kw and not on Rs./Kwh. Few developers have realised it and are evaluating to shift to latest Bifacial modules which gives lower LCOE than conventional polycrystalline modules. Sooner or later everyone will shift to the new era. As the competition is intensifying, it has become need of hour to reduce the LCOE.

How has your business been impacted by Covid-19? Do you see growth this year (2020-21) over 2019-20?

Most of the business has been badly affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

Just before the Covid period, the solar installations were going on full scale. But due to lockdown, all projects got held up or postponed, especially private projects. The government’s priority also shifted to essential services. However, after the lockdown got lifted, the momentum is getting back and trying to catch the same pace due to government projects getting resumed and new tenders coming up. I believe that the growth in the remaining quarters will overtake the relatively slower growth in the first quarter of current financial year.

What is the one single reform that could galvanise the whole renewable energy sector in India today? What is the biggest risk to the sector, and your business that you see today ?

The solar industry is completely dependent upon government policies. Due to political differences between Center and state governments, there can be situations where the policies or agreements get rolled back. For instance, the recent imbroglio in Andhra Pradesh to renegotiate the already signed PPA, shook off investor’s confidence and dampened the investment climate.

There’s a dire need of stability in policies, commitment and political will of government which can take the solar sector to another level

We recently saw price bid at Rs 2.36 a unit for a tender. What is your view on long term prices over the coming 3 years and beyond?

In the short term, the prices seem to be getting corrected due to expected BCD announcement and “Make in India” push by the government. However, in the long run, once there is ample domestic capacity, the prices will continue the downward trend.

Anything else you would like to highlight about Novasys plans, the market as you see it.

We plan to adopt and bring latest developments in the module technologies to India such as modules based on 9BB cells, M6M10 sized wafers. This will save lot of space, balance of system cost and increase efficiency of solar modules which is ideal for roof top applications.

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 19

COVER STORY

The Solar Foundation:

Solar Structures Need Attention 20 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

COVER STORY

AJAY RATTAN

PRAKHAR AGRAWAL

RANANJAY SINGH

SAMARTH DAKSHINI

GM- Sales Construction & Engineering Tata BlueScope Steel Pvt Limited

Business Development Head Gensol Group

Director RR Ispat, (Hira Group)

Director Raydean Industries

PAWAN PANDEY Founder Tanash Energy

As India’s solar march has gone on, from 2 GW to a possible 42 GW by the end of this year, it’s interesting to see just what got the headlines within the sector.

It has undoubtedly been modules, cells and inverters, in that order.

What has been missed out is in fact, as important . Yes, we are talking about the structures that hold it all together, or the module mounting structures (MMS). Speaking to many of the firms in the business, one gets the impression that ignoring the whole business of solar structures is a bad idea, and its time the industry, and the powers that be took a closer look at it. Coming at a time when extreme weather events are no longer ‘once in a century’, or even ‘once in a decade’, the

foundations or structures on which the whole solar system rests, have never been more important. So here’s a start.

Unlike the biggest cost component of a solar system today, the good news , from the perspective of the government, is that module mounting structures or ‘racking ‘can be and are almost 100% sourced from within the country. That’s a massive improvement in performance, when compared to the early years of the solar boom, when the industry found itself on the wrong foot, as demand spiked.

To see some of the most common issues faced with structures, don’t miss this detailed piece from PV Diagnostics, a leading solar consultancy, on Saurenergy. com . At www.bit.ly/2CTcOp0 Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 21

COVER STORY Why Quality Matters.

Ajay Rattan, Tata Blue scope steel has absolutely no doubts. “ Since almost all load rests on the mounting structures, a good quality material that lasts the test of time is a key aspect for the overall longevity. Solar module mounting structures made of high strength steel not only withstand the rigors of the wind pressures but are also resistant to the dynamic changes in the climatic conditions. There should be no compromise on design and quality of the mounting structures chosen. Solar module mounting structures contribute to only 7% of the entire Solar Plant cost. However if chosen the wrong structure, it may have an adverse impact on the overall installation”.

Samarth Dakshini, Director at Rajasthan based structures firm Raydean, adds that “ Many EPC players and especially small system integrators in today’s market do not provide the attention required for structural stability and safety. In this cut throat competition industry many players are looking to cut corners for saving costs and unfortunately they try to do that in BOS , specially Module mounting structures because many end customers and some times even installers are hardly aware about the design aspects of MMS and they look at it as simple fabrication which has to be carried out in trial and error methodology , although the cost of MMS is hardly even 10% of the total project cost “.

The quality issue is flagged as a serious problem by both EPC’s we spoke to as well as structure manufacturers, who invariably blamed cost pressures on the mistakes made.

Today, Tata Blue Scope has seen enough potential in the market to launch a special steel, ILIOS®, targeted specifically at the racking market. Manufactured from cold rolled Zn/Zn-Al coated products with reference to Indian standard IS 15961:2012 and Australian standard AS 1397, the steel offer higher corrosion resistance, weight optimization and quick installation. It offers greater load carrying capacity with a lighter weight with 550 MPA reducing tonnage per MW by up to 50% according to the firm. The firm claims that It lasts for upto 4 times longer than ordinary galvanized steel. ILIOS® stays close to customers through its plants located in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Bhiwadi (Rajasthan) and Pune (Maharashtra).

So What Can Go wrong Saving too much on the structure can lead to many problems.

More than a few manufacturers and EPC contractors point to the extensive damage faced by the storms, and cyclones recently in some solar parks. Although overall damage has been at acceptable levels, overall.

Rananjay Singh, Marketing Head at Gensol, bwhich has been involved with projects over 10 GW in India, says that “At the time of evolution of industry, Stakeholders/Developers were focused on components and critical Spares, which have a direct contribution to Power Generation. Though the entire market was evolving it would be unfair to say that stakeholders did anything wrong deliberately, or compromised on quality of structure. As the industry has evolved, participants have realized that with a life of 25 years, structures have to withstand and support, otherwise even if good quality modules and inverters are sourced, they will not be able to generate power.

Structures today have evolved to provide options like fixed tilt structures, seasonal tilt structures, and finally, tracker mounted 22 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

structures, which track the movement of the sun everyday. These structures all come with their own strength, weight and design requirements today, be it for ground mounted, or rooftop situations.

Design in particular is a sore point with many contractors and manufacturers. Rananjay adds that common structure related issues like rusting, corrosion, bending of structure due to wind speed, pile cap, weak foundation, O&M and especially challenges in extreme weather conditions can all be planned for at the design stage itself.

Prakhar Agrawal, Director , R R Ispat, ( Hira Group), another manufacturer and EPC contractor adds that “ while planning for a PV plant, though issues of structural stability and safety get adequate attention but adaptive engineering new engineering structures and ideas are not taken considered . Today there are wind speed and galvanising norms such as 150 km /hr and minimum 85 microns for design too. But contactors should be given more freedom and adaptive design for better quality.

Galvanising structure are the most important thing, as it increases life and quality overall. New light weight materials that cut cost are yet to stand the test of time.”

Rattan from Tata Bluescope echoes this sentiment, saying that “there should be no compromise on design and quality of the mounting structures chosen. Solar module mounting structures contribute to only 7% of the entire Solar Plant cost. However if chosen the wrong structure, it may have an adverse impact on the overall installation.”

The Standards and Innovations Like every part of the solar supply chain, structure manufacturers too have faced cost pressures. That has led to some good, and sometimes more questionable decisions. However, the relative indifference to tracking structural evolution means that that the specifications or standards, demanded of modules, cells or inverters, are not as strict for structures, leaving a lot of scope for mistakes. Most of the standards being prescribed today, when they are actually prescribed, are from specifications in 2011-12.

Since them many changes have happened globally, as well as domestically. An interesting example is galvalume, introduced in India by JSW steel, which is a special type of galvanisation on steel that extends both the life of the product and its look. Cost issues have prevented the firm from making as much progress as it would like to with the product. It’s a challenge that Tata Blue Scope faces with its own offerings too, though the firm does claim to have crossed 1.2 GW in installations using its products.

Gensols’s Rananjay points out that while MNRE does not specify standards here, “there are standards available for each and every material and their withholding capacity . But some of biggest PSU players like NTPC etc have their own standards laid down for all items such as module mounting structure, civil work etc, which helps”.

Hira Group’s Prakhar adds that the experience in the past 12 months has only gone to show that extreme weather events are going to be more frequent now, which makes a strong case for fresh standards and norms , especially for large scale PV plants.

COVER STORY Ajay Rattan, lists down the basic standards that are expected today, once factors like wind speed have been taken into account. “It is encouraged and to be sure that the design has been certified by a recognized Lab/ Institution . Suitable fastening arrangement such as grouting and calming should be provided to secure the installation against the specific wind speed. The steel mounting structures shall be as per latest IS 513:2003 and galvanization of the mounting structures shall be in compliance of latest IS 277:2018 and Zinc and Aluminum Alloy coating as per IS 15961:2012. Structural material shall be corrosion resistant and electrolytically compatible with the materials used in the module frame, its fasteners, nuts and bolts etc. The fasteners used should be made up of stainless steel.

The structures shall be designed to allow easy replacement of any module output from the SPV panels. Regarding civil structures the developer needs to take care of the load bearing capacity of the roof and arrange suitable structures based on the quality of roof. The total load of the structure (when installed with PV modules) on the terrace should be less than 60 kg/m2. The minimum clearance of the structure from the roof level should be 300 mm”.

and de-grade what is below the ground , there is no point in putting a well designed / manufactured structure .

Raydean’s Samarth adds that “For many years the industry at large had only indicative specifications , leaving it to the bidders to ensure safety and quality of MMS . Can you imagine that in case of say modules or inverters ? But now recently MNRE has laid down strict specifications and standards for solar module mounting structures used for Solar water pumping systems. These standards are laid down for prestigious KUSUM scheme, in which farmers are about to get 30 Lakhs Solar water pumps through various subsidies. But we as a manufacturer feel that still lot needs to be done . There have to be first BIS or equivalent standards in place and then there has to be minimum qualifying criteria for manufacturing of MMS , with lot of impetus on testing and checking by the governing bodies . “

The Future

Pawan Pandey, Founder and CEO at Tanash Energy, who has been involved with projects worth over 700 MW has this to say. “ Lack of engineering (designs are copy paste ), extreme focus on weight reduction of steel in projects due to cost cutting caused by low tariffs , leads to shortcuts like low thickness material usage, little or no proper code(standard) defines for engineering, no proper analysis on load test and wind test. When the total cost of steel use in a project is 5 to 6% which is quite reasonable, we shouldn’t look to cut costs here. Pawan makes a strong case for higher government involvement , be it in laying down minimum standards, ensuring better supply of raw materials as well as funding to manufacturers to ensure the market is well supplied with quality components”.

Pointing out how as ‘recently’ as 2016, the 650 MW Adani project In Tamil Nadu sourced a major part of its MMS requirements from China, he makes a strong case for ensuring more players on the manufacturing side, especially with their own steel making facilities.

As a product that offers one of the highest warranties among assets being built today, Solar power installations have big promises to keep. Module Mounting Structures are literally the edifice on which these promises are built, as weak stuctures, poor alignment, or too little ground clearance can all lead to serious damage to the structures . Government agencies need to draw up a modern, more specific set of standards and norms, going beyond prescribing galavanised steel of a certain standard or even advising not to go with aluminium frames in coastal areas, for instance. A recent SECI tender document that we evaluated specifies a module efficiency of 80 percent at the end of 25 years, and 90 percent at the end of 10.

While asking for a 5 year warranty on the structure.

On the issue of innovation, the focus has obviously been on As solar technologies are evolving, with larger modules, higher reducing weight and increasing strength at the same time, energy density, so too have structures, be it lighter, or stronger. In preferably at a lower cost. While not every innovation has achieved rooftop solar, solar tiles have already made their appearance, BIPV all three objectives, but the broad consensus in India remains with (Building Integrated PV systems), where the solar roof replaces the roof galvanized steel use. Samarth goes on to warn that “a design based altogether , and many other options like floating solar have already only on experience and trial and error would never withstand started making inroads in India . There is a real case to establish the tough weather conditions etc. Only a qualified design done keeping all site conditions in mind while following basic minimum standards before a few failures draw the need to do it. As some of our participants in this story have also indicated, extreme weather events in standards (such as BIS) ensures full reliability, but sadly that is not the past two years have also indicated that mistakes have been made, the case many times. GI based structures are still very relevant in though thankfully not leading to damage and wastage at a scale that many projects , ‘one size fits all’ philosophy doesn’t work here”. would be considered disastrous yet.

Samarth, along with some other EPC and manufacturer’s we spoke to Importantly, the tools to design and plan batter are far better today. As Gensol’s Rananjay says, “Earlier data was available for shorter tenure. , regularly cited the experience with the recent cyclones.

Now a days a lot of technical and site-based data is available, hence “A common mistake is non-adherence to specified material grades design and implementation can be certainly improved more easily”. etc. by the manufacturers . As observed over the years one major mistake which installers do is to ignore the importance of foundation of the structures, they again and again lean towards saving cost in civil Both utility, and rooftop solar have their own unique demands, and specific requirements, that need to be met, to ensure a clear, works i.e foundations , be it in a utility scale project, Solar rooftops uninterrupted run of productivity and growth. After all, as Prakhar or Solar water pumping systems. According to reports coming from Agrawal said to us ” A tree’s beauty lies in its branches , but its various sites after two consecutive high wind cyclones in different strength lies in its roots”. Solar structures are the roots on which parts of the country, the structures along with the system have been uprooted along with their foundations, showing the low standards of everything hinges. It’s time to take them far more seriously .

Civil work done. Footing or foundation of any MMS is an integral part

-SAUR NEWS BUREAU of the design , if you pay attention to what is seen above the ground Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 23

THE CONVERSATION

Prasoon Chaudhary Business Unit Head, Photovoltaic Solar Manufacturing Pennar Industries Limited

The same duties on imports of cells & modules are not going to serve the purpose In a chat with Prasoon Chaudhary, Business Unit Head, Photovoltaic Solar Manufacturing at Pennar Industries Limited, we got his perspective on the many challenges the module side of the business faces today. After their success in the mounting structures business, the engineering goods firm is looking ahead to replicating the same level of success in modules too.

What drove the group to expand into solar module manufacturing?

We as Pennar share the major market for supply & services of Module Mounting Structures in Solar Industry since 2008 along with being into Development & EPC of Solar Projects in India, therefore in the year 2018 we decided to get into manufacturing of Photovoltaic Solar Modules as the DNA and Experience of the company was majorly into manufacturing & supply of 2000+ Engineered Products in more than 20+ countries from more than last 3 decades.

The safeguard duty, by common consensus, seems to have failed. And now the government is considering customs duties. What's the duty level you would recommend? For how long?

The phase 1 of SGD implementation was a complete failure as major chunk of the projects installed during the period were given exemptions for duty. Secondly the country’s cell manufacturing facilities can’t even cater to 10% of the module manufacturers requirement, therefore putting up equivalent amount of duties on imports of cells & modules are not going to serve the purpose as on date. As per a domestic module manufacturer, my suggestion will be to impose a minimum of 25% BCD on Modules and 15% of SGD should be continued for 2nd phase of 2 years. But only if the cell Imports are exempted from duties till sufficient amount of manufacturers gets developed within country, then only Domestic 24 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

Module Manufacturers market can sustain else duties are not going to help domestic manufacturing as on date. Apart from this governmentt also needs to control the pricing of domestic manufactured cells as due to the improper implementation of DCR schemas by govt. & misbalance of cells to modules manufacturing ratio there has been a surge in requirement of DCR Cells due to which there is a huge gap between demand & supply which allows domestic cell manufacturers to drastically inflate the prices which results in infusion of more CAPEX for setting up the Solar Power Plant.

How do you think has the poor progress on rooftop solar affected demand for domestically manufactured modules in India? Do you see that changing soon?

We need to understand that usually the required area to setup the rooftop solar plant in most of the premises is lower compared to the energy demand, due to which following situations arise, First if we have to use DCR Modules we are restricted to use a very lower wattage module compared to open category due to non availability of high efficiency cells produced within country, secondly due to continuous change in policies & hurdles faced

by C&I (Commercial and Industrial) RESCO (Renewable energy service company) players related to net metering & open access approvals there had been up’s & down’s throughout. Hence I can only see it changing once the process becomes smoother for developers & government should keep it same for all states throughout the country. Installation of Rooftop Solar will always

THE CONVERSATION be a monetary loss for local DISCOMS & hence they will never promote the way it should be.

In India, due to pricing issues we are still transitioning from poly cell to mono and beyond.

How do you see this transition playing out ?

I would say the call between Poly & Monoperc has to be taken up by the developer looking into ROI (Return on investment) & a sustainable cheaper source of energy. There is nothing good or bad between both the technologies and both are proven throughout the globe. Yes, monoperc has already fascinated the rooftop developers within the country to maximise the project capacities in line with their customers demands whereas majority of utility scale ground mounted projects are still going with the poly option for the straight reason that when they compare the delta between cost of land & price of mono versus poly, they find price of poly more attractive & I don’t feels it’s a wrong call.

PENNAR had always been into the top leagues in all other domains where we have our business footprints and for sure our idea with PV manufacturing is same. We are focusing to sell our products throughout the country along with certain geographies in US, Europe & Africa where we already have a strong manufacturing base for our other engineered products.

How has the Covid-19 lockdown/s impacted our business ? Do you see growth over 2019-20 happening for Pennar?

For sure this pandemic has been a barrier in growth for all the economies throughout the globe, but as the situation gets better, the solar market is also getting back on track day by day & Pennar is inline with it. We have been seeing continuous growth in our revenues from month to month after the lockdown was lifted since May & have a gut feeling of industry running with the same pace as it was in last quarter of last FY by Sept 2020.

If you had to pick one reform, what would that While your current capacity is for 240 MW, do you see be, to galvanise the solar sector again? opportunities to expand soon? Does the firm focus on any To galvanise the solar sector at this instant, the need of hour is to particular geographies as far as serving the market goes ? have a common agency to draft and govern the policies applicable We have just started with 240 MW’s (annual capacity) to launch our products in this domain, but the plans are very clear to expand soon along with the reverse integration in value chain. We as

throughout the country rather than keeping them in control of state sodal agencies. Our decisions should be taken considering the volume of work within the entire country rather than in a state or DISCOM.

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 25

RIDING THE SUN

Solar Inverter Market Outlook in India JULY 2020

Compiled by Saur Energy Research Bureau Group Editor: Prasanna Singh For Queries, contact us at info@saurenergy.com

Introduction From a market limited mostly to Europe and the US till the early part of the 21st century, few energy markets have boomed as the solar energy market has. Today, the market is global, with firms that have operations worldwide, with some of the highest R&D spends by sector. This massive turnaround is mainly due to two key factors. A new awareness about climate change and its impact, and the rise of China as a manufacturing and innovation hub. The former created the urgency, while the latter enabled the creation of demand, and efficiently priced supply for a growing market that covers almost every part of the world.

The global market for solar energy was worth $52.5 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $223.3 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 20.5% from 2019 to 2026.

In India, thanks to high solar irradiation in most parts of the country, Solar Power is key to the country’s long term energy and climate change goals. In 2019, the country crossed 35,000 MW of installed solar PV projects.

India - The Beginnings The story looks good now, but it wasn’t so always.

As recently as 2013, the Indian government had an initial 20 GW capacity goal for 2022. The total installed solar capacity was just 10 MW in 2010. After a huge revision in targets to 100 GW in 2015, the 20 GW target milestone was achieved four years ahead of schedule in 2018. The 100 GW target requires a US$ 100 billion investment. To do that, India has set up nearly 42 solar parks to make land accessible to solar plant promoters. The country added 3 GW of solar capacity in 2016, 5 GW in 2017, over 10 GW in 2018, and 7.2 GW in 2019. This capacity addition

In this report, we will focus on Solar inverters, the ‘brains’ behind a solar plant, that ensures its efficient running. Inverters deserve special focus simply because they have evolved the most over the past two decades, almost unnoticed. From heavy, difficult to install pieces of equipment with basic functionality (Convert DC to AC power) to devices critical to meet the new demands on a solar PV plant. Be it higher power density and operational efficiency or delivering on significant new grid and safety mandates. All this, while keeping up with dropping system costs that have been under pressure as the rest of the system cost components, especially modules and mounting structures, have come down sharply.

With their more complex design and multiple functions, inverters can also become high maintainance cases, as demonstrated by data maintained by O&M firms worldwide. That has made it even more critical to track, and pick inverter partners carefully for developers today.

has been powered by lower prices, with fresh solar energy today almost 18 percent below thermal power, on average.

While rooftop solar had a share of 40 GW in the 100 GW target, it currently comprises just 4.4 GW, 70 percent of which is commercial or industrial (C&I).

Besides this, India is also developing off-grid solar power to meet local energy needs, in addition to its large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) initiative. The main driver of the off grid solar is the PM KUSUM or Pradhan Mantri-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan scheme, which aims to provide off grid solar to 2 million farmers by 2024.

Enter The Inverter The solar inverter has been a key catalyst to development in solar energy. Thanks to their origins in the electronics industry, leaders in the solar inverter space have actually enabled some of the biggest changes we are seeing today in solar plants.

So what does a Solar Inverter do? Quite simply, a solar inverter has 5 key functions: a) To convert the energy produced by solar panels direct current (DC), to alternating current (AC), thereby allowing the power produced to reach places using the existing grid which is also AC based. More importantly, AC is the standard that runs almost all the electrical equipment we see around us. b) Maximize Power Output. A typical PV plant will have its modules arranged , and connected in a series of upto 15 modules . That generates cumulative power output of anything in the range of 500-750 V. The solar inverter scans this continuously to identify which voltage point corresponds to the maximum power at which to operate the string of PV modules. Thus, they track the maximum power point (MPP) of the solar array in changing conditions. This is more difficult as it sounds, as multiple peaks can be throw up by a system due to causes like partial clouding, shading, non uniform degradation across modules etc.

Going with the wrong peak can actually reduce overall efficiency of the system, hence the talk of ‘smart’ or intelligent’ inverters today. c) Grid Interface: As renewable energy, especially solar energy increases its total share in the grid, demands on this key interface with the

grid are growing. These include operating through system-wide or local power disruptions. Instead of being passive power injectors, inverters today are even expected to provide what is called reactive power into the grid, stabilizing system level voltage and frequency, while reducing system losses. In an ideal situation, with inverters being closer to the local loads, they should be more efficient at reducing line losses when compared to central generation stations. Thus, as solar energy grows for the grid, the cumulative role of solar inverters to stabilize and balance the grid will go up. d) Plant Diagnostics: Inverters have become the first, and possibly sole source of information about the output and efficiency of a PV plant.

They aggregate, compile and transmit power output data. Nowadays, from remote locations to Operations and Maintainance (O&M) teams sitting elsewhere. Thus impacting system maintainance costs too. That explains the move towards ethernet, Bluetooth and/or WiFi connection capabilities for communications, with 5G the next level on the horizon. e) Ensure System Safety. With all the data a modern inverter logs today, it provides the information necessary to track overall system safety too. There can be multiple causes for undesirable an outcome like electrical arcs, which can damage the system seriously.

Inverters today can, or will be soon expected to identify these issues earlier, and even ‘decide’ on their own to shut down the system where required. Currently, a number of manufacturers like Huawei highlight their arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) which detect arcing and de-energize the PV circuit

Benchmark Capital Cost of a Solar PV Plant above 1 MW in India, according to Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Thus, the benchmark capital cost norm for Solar PV projects for FY 2016-17 shall be INR 530.02 lakhs/MW, with breakup as follows: S.No. Particulars

Capital proposed for FY 2016-17 (Rs. lakhs/MW), for Solar PV projects 328.39 25 35 35 35

1 2 3 4 5

PV Modules Land Cost Civil and General Works Mounting Structures Power Conditioning Unit

6

Evacuation Cost up to cables Interconnection 44 Point (Cables and Transformers) Preliminary and Pre-Operative Expenses 27.63 including IDC and Contingency Total Capital Cost 530.02

7

% of Total Cost 61.96% 4.7% 6.6% 6.6% 6.6% 8.3% 5.21% 100%

Types of Inverters Inverter Types While the inverter globally, and in India has also changed a lot over the years, what has not changed is the four broad types of inverters that exist today to serve different market needs. A quick brief on each is given below Central Inverters: A central inverter is a high-capacity inverter designed for use with solar systems of great commercial or utility scale (power station). It is like a wide string inverter designed to handle more power and deliver economies of scale / efficiencies. Core inverters are not used for solar residential systems. Till recently, Central inverters were the default choice for solar plants at scale, especially on level, open land String Inverters: For the solar system as a whole, a loop inverter is attached to a series or “line” of solar panels and converts the power from Direct Current (DC) to Alternate Current (AC). A string inverter would normally be located in a shielded position between the solar array and the switchboard, a short distance away from the panel. This is the most

frequently used form of inverter in residential and small / medium commercial systems.

Hybrid Inverters: There is a third type of inverter– hybrid solar inverter–that is primarily used in rural and remote regions. Even when grid power isn’t usable, hybrid solar inverters will operate. These inverters are usually attached to both grid and batteries for dayround power supply for use at regularly power-cut locations. Improving grid power supply and enforcing net-metering policies is likely to render the use of hybrid inverters limited over time.

Micro Inverters: Micro-inverters are another technology which is gaining traction in the inverter industry. Such inverters are designed for single module PV operation. The combination of each PV module and micro-inverter generates AC power output which can be directly connected to the home power supply. These inverters are relevant for complex installations with shading problems or complicated roof configurations and can track individual module output. Cost makes them ideal only for very small installations, as they can be 4 times as expensive as string inverters.

“

Though targeted at solar modules, the SGD, coming as it did soon after the shift to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of July 2017, certainly played a role in further slowing down the sector growth.�

Analysis of Growth of Inverter Market in India

The advent of the Narendra Modi regime in 2014 began a major overhaul of the energy landscape. While some of the changes, lie the dismantling of the administered pricing mechanism for most fuels was supported by global events, others, like the new focus on renewable energy, was driven by genuine concerns around climate change mitigation too. This political will has led to the fast-paced emergence of solar photovoltaic (PV) sector in India since 2014.

In 2015, for the first-time, India installed over 2,000 MW of solar PV projects; and this opened up the Indian market for inverter manufacturers and suppliers. Prior to 2015, in 2013, India had installed around 1,000 MW of solar PV projects and the market was dominated by three major players ABB, SMA and TMEIC, all well regarded global players. Post 2015, the playground changed completely.

With a surge in arrival of new players in the inverter manufacturing sector in India, the independent power project (IPP) developers and engineering procurement construction (EPC) players started to see lower price trends and healthier competition emerging.

From 2015 to 2019, the market has shifted. Not only have the players changed positions, with Huawei making a strong surge all the way to no. 1 position, but as we will see, even the inverter preference started shifting towards string inverters.

In 2018, there are over 25 inverter manufacturers and suppliers active in the Indian solar market. The installed

solar PV capacity had crossed 25,000 MW, with rooftop solar accounting for over 1,700 MW of installed capacity.

A total of 8,000 MW of solar PV capacity was added to the grid in 2018. Huawei, on the back of a massive push for its string inverters, first emerged as the largest supplier for that year. The shift in market leadership in India mirrored a global shift, as the earlier leaders were caught on the wrong foot by competitive string inverter offerings from newer players.

In terms of cumulative numbers ABB and SMA remain key players, but in the past three years, Huawei has made great inroads to the Indian market and even in cumulative terms has solidified its position as one of the top five inverter suppliers in India. And the leader in the large, utility scale segment.

That made the 2019 rankings all the more remarkable, considering the fact that Huawei does not even have an offering in the central inverter space.

In 2019, a total of 7,200 MW of solar PV capacity was added to the grid. It was the second consecutive, slow year for the Indian solar sector. Government policies related to ceiling tariffs, modification of PPAs, modification of tariffs after completion of auction that had begun in the end of 2017, and had continued through 2018, started to take their toll on project execution; and in 2019 India suffered the slowest rate of installation since 2017.

The Big Shift Central Vs String Inverter Debate Technical perspective: India is a cost sensitive market. That means that even after accounting for reductions in BOS (Balance of System) costs in the case of string inverters, there has been a large cost difference between string and central inverters. That price advantage made central inverters the preferred option for projects of a utility scale till 2016-17. But the gap has slowly narrowed with faster price reductions in string inverters than those of central inverters Flexibility & Yield: Central inverters have historically been used in large open spaces with a flat terrain (minimum variance of contour). This configuration worked well in central inverters even with a limited number of MPPTs (1-4), since the voltage is generally equal in all strings. Because of their multi-MPPT string architecture and better power efficiency, string inverters were seen as advantageous for projects designed on uneven sites.

Though central inverter efficiency is typically higher, string level optimization can also deliver better power output due to increased reliability and increased redundancy from relatively flat terrains. Hence, as project developers increasingly focus on reducing

levelized energy costs, many of them have shifted to string inverters to build multiple MPPTs. Installation time: As string inverters do not need special containers or civil structures for housing, they can be installed much faster than central inverters, useful for projects with tight deadlines. In fact, in some case, a single technician is all that is needed, thanks to the slimmer, modular designs of string inverters. With a much lesser distance between the inverter and power source, string inverters are the closest to a ‘plug and play’ option for developers today.

System availability & maintenance: Because of its large size and weight, it is difficult to replace central inverters and always needs dedicated technical support. Any failure can cause a large portion of the plant to be shut down.

Yet improved durability means extended warranty or replacement is only needed for select components such as IGBT, fans, and harmonic filters.

On the other hand, lightweight, modular design of string inverters ensures that in the event of any failures, spares can be retained and mounted quickly. It is believed that string inverters reduce basic maintenance requirements, but their extended warranty costs are higher compared to central inverters.

Market’s Opening Up for String Inverters At, present, Huawei is the leading supplier of string inverters in India followed by Sungrow, ABB, Growatt, Solis, Delta and Goodwe. As the government pushes states and agencies to attain rooftop solar PV targets, these players can expect a growth spurt.

In inverters, the Indian market has made a definite shift towards string inverters.

Towards the end of 2019, TBEA won the bid to develop 300 MW of solar projects in the 1.2 GW NTPC solar PV auction.

Recently, Sungrow signed a 650 MW strategic agreement with Avaada Energy to supply 1500V inverter solutions for its upcoming solar PV projects in 2020.

PV project developer, has shifted decisively towards

string inverters, with Huawei as its partner. Recently it deployed Huawei Smart PV 1500 V Solution, including 312 SUN2000-185KTL-INH0 smart inverters for a 50 MW solar PV project in Rajasthan.

The Stakeholders Perspective According to EPC players, the small size of string inverters gives them an advantage over central inverters in regions where transporting the larger and heavier central inverters to the project sites is difficult.

A massive push by manufacturers like Huawei, which has gone for massive scale economies, has been pegging away at the cost difference.

EPCs earlier lacked a design methodology for string inverters. A block design approach pioneered by Huawei and other firms now divides projects into 3- to 4-megawatt sections, each served with a mediumvoltage transformer.

Block design, which brought in cluster racks and integrated transformers that helped reduce wiring and associated costs too, opened up the market to string inverters.

Now, with the push for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics, smart inverters can collect enormous amounts of data that can be analyzed in real time to pinpoint potential problems.

A good example is smart IV curve diagnosis, that provides a granular string-level characterization of underperforming strings, that can really make O&M simpler.

As the string inverters are not connected to the entire system of panels, any failure or shading does not affect the performance of the entire system, only a small part that can be attended to, quickly. Similarly, the same model can serve for a wide range of capacities.

In 2018, there was a significant trend change in inverter deployment. Prior to that it was common that small-scale projects of few megawatts and rooftop solar PV projects utilize String inverters; they were not being used by many developers or EPC firms for large-scale solar PV projects/utility scale projects. But in 2018, Adani Green Energy used String inverters for one of its mega projects changing the market perception forever.

EPC players and project developers alike accepted the fact that now, with the technological advancement, String inverters take minimum time to powerup as they do not require higher voltages to function unlike central inverters. String inverters start at lower voltages with multiple Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which improves energy harvest and cost savings.

Despite the cost-savings, the deployment of string inverters has moved steadily. Despite all its efficiencies and economies of cost that it provides during operation cost remains an issue. At present, the price difference between a central inverter and string inverter is around â‚š2.25/kW. Commissioning of projects in 2019 has shown that central inverters are still the most preferred in India for largescale projects. This is also because these are the projects based on estimates and designs made in 2016-17, when they were first bid out. Now, there has been a marked increase in pace of installation of rooftop solar PV projects and this is fueling the growth of string inverters in India. It must also be noted that in large scale projects in talukas, districts in Karnataka, Maharashra and other states, string inverters are becoming the default option for projects under 50 MW now.

“

The survey conducted by us also indicates that bigger players with better financial backing may opt for string inverters.”

Market research and developer survey revealed that “Even in 2019, most of the large-scale, ground-mounted solar PV projects are still using central inverters as it goes easy on the balance of system (BOS) costs and unless the price difference between central and string inverters is brought to within a margin of ₹0.25/kW, central inverters will have a role”. So far, the government’s plan to develop 40 GW of solar PV parks is not yet complete; only about 18 GW of projects under various solar parks have been completed; most of these parks are located in flatlands and topography will allow for deployment of central inverters. State governments are coming up with new state projects, which are again in flatlands.

Towards the beginning of 2018, it was perceived that the speed at which solar PV project installation was being carried out, soon there would be dearth of land to set up solar PV projects and we would have to shift to hilly regions and floating solar PV projects that would lead to an increased deployment of string and micro inverters in India. This is happening but at a very slow pace, as the government has decided to develop 25 GW solar park in Leh, where contiguous flatland has been marked out for project deployment. But undulating terrain means string inverters will be used especially as critical price ceilings are removed and focus is on efficiency and productivity.

Selecting a bigger inverter makes more economical sense as the price of inverter drops per kW as the power output increases. Initial investment costs also deter developers in installing string inverters in India’s price sensitive market.

At present, small-scale projects in hilly areas are adopting string inverters as it is advantageous for the developers. Replacing an old part after warranty is also easy for string inverters. It also has an advantage over central inverter in terms of maximum overloading, as repowering a part of plant is possible and easy.

Most importantly, a developer pointed out, in the first five years, not many issues are expected to come up with a large PV plant, which provided an extended opportunity for central inverters. Especially as many developers expected to cash out of their projects in 2-5 years. It is now, with buyers, armed with more data on older plants, that a longer term view will shift the market away to string inverters more decisively.

The survey conducted by us also indicates that bigger players with better financial backing may opt for string

inverters, but that too for selective projects. All major players are developing more than 600-700 MW of projects a year, only a few have wherewithal to make profit in times of lowest-ever tariffs by deploying string inverters. So either costs, or more innovative financing models are needed. To that end, the steep drop in borrowing costs, a critical component of project costs, augurs well for the string inverter category, as both direct financing and vendor financing costs drop.

EPC players point to the higher numbers of string inverters needed for similar sized project as a reason for preferring central inverters in mega projects.

More inverters can mean more servicing, more cost.

It’s a challenge string inverter manufacturers have taken on earnestly, with ever more modular designs for ease of use, and service networks. It will also lead to increased activity on the site, resulting in higher overall cost of EPCs. Multiple MPPT will require more sophisticated software for analysis of the data generated. That probably explains the strengthening in market position of firms moving faster towards more modular, digital offerings, like Huawei, Sungrow etc. A Huawei representative asserts that “In 2014, Huawei led the industry in developing Smart PV solution focusing on string solar inverters. The Smart PV inverters collect and analyse data from PV array sensors which support precise data collection for each PV string, essentially achieve perception intelligence.

From 2015 to 2018, Huawei further integrated digital technologies, with applications including wireless private network technologies, MBUS technologies, Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis, intelligent O&M cloud center, and the intelligent convergence of agricultural and fishery PV. In 2019, we released the first smart PV solution that integrates AI technologies. In 2020, Huawei continues to deepen the integration between Smart PV and full-stack, all-scenario AI solutions, and the company is also building a core architecture for device-edge-cloud synergy. This will maximize the value of each PV plant and accelerate the industry’s digitalisation.”

Besides policy issues that affect overall growth, a factor that is affecting the inverter market is the deadline extension for approval of the BIS standards which is intended to help producers but so far, has had adverse effects due to the ambiguous nature of guidelines.

New Developments The inverter space is one area where some key firms have chosen to establish manufacturing facilities in India, especially since 2017.

In the past three years an increasing number of string inverter manufacturers have set up manufacturing units in India in order to cut down on transportation and production costs. There is a trend of producing near the demand source. That has led to a lot of action on the ground in India.

1. In 2019, TBEA, inaugurated a 2 GW inverter manufacturing unit near Bangalore.

Conclusion And Future Outlook The global string inverter market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 4 percent by 2024 to $5 billion. India’s string inverter market has been growing at a fast pace for the past two years and may beat the global pace because of government initiatives and more emphasis on distributed generation projects. After 2018 and 2019 that witnessed a slowdown in commissioning of solar PV projects, project execution is bound to surge in India, a large pipeline of projects awaits to be completed. While the covid-19 disruptions have stalled progress in Q1 of the financial year, initiatives taken by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as well as broader power sector reforms such as the proposed Electricity Amendment Act (2020) , if passed, will open up the sector.

Module prices have stabilized in India after the effects of duty on Chinese modules have subsided over the years. Recently, the government removed tariff ceiling for solar tenders. The added pricing flexibility allows developers to consider more efficient long term options instead of the lowest cost one. Inverter firms have emerged to become brands in their own

2. In 2019, Sineng Electric started operations from its factory in India.

3. In 2018, Sungrow inaugurated a new, GWscale solar inverter manufacturing unit in Bangalore.

4. In 2017, Enphase Energy established offices in Chennai. Months later, SolarEdge opened office in Bangalore and created SolarEdge Technologies (India) Private Limited.

5. In 2017, Siemens, launched Sinacon PV a new generation of PV central inverters with an output up to 5,000 kVA as part of its new electrical Balance of Plant (eBoP) solution for PV power project installations, to be produced and manufactured in Mumbai.

right, with the right name adding to the bankability of projects, a critical determinant of success today. But central inverters have legacy and momentum on their side, with an established base of projects, customers (developers) familiar with the technology, and relevance in large scale utility projects in the plains.

The only big difference is, it’s no longer a question of if, but when string inverters would rule the markets completely, if the current rate of innovation and features continues.

Developer representatives we spoke to have pointed out that in a market where cost pressures have led to potential compromises in key areas like modules (India remains a primarily polycrystalline cell or module market), or even mounting structures, which are almost 50 percent lighter than say, 5 years ago, inverters have stood out. Firms like Huawei, Sungrow and more have been cited for their agility and responsiveness, helping push the case for String inverters more strongly. By sheer dint of options and quality, the firm today has a leading position in the market, in India and globally. In shifting to string inverters, the Indian market will simply reflect the shift underway in global markets like China and the US, where string inverters either dominate (China), or are set to dominate the market by 2021 (US).

COMPANY PROFILE

Energy&Meteo Systems: Forecasters To The World

Dr. Ulrick Focken and Dr Matthias Lange, Co-Founders, and Managing Directors 36 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

COMPANY PROFILE Germany-based Energy&Meteo systems is one of the little known names, that packs quite a punch when you take a hard look at their work.

The firm, which recently announced their formal entry to India with their energy forecasting solutions, has already pocketed the forecasting for Pavagada solar park, one of the biggest in the country. The announcement, made at the end of June, was no surprise, considering Energy and Meteo’s credentials. The firm claims to provide predictions for more than 50 percent of the worldwide wind power, and over 40 percent of the global solar power production.

The Oldenburg headquartered firm has emerged as the leading international providers of power forecasts and virtual power plants over the past few years. The firm claims that with its services for solar and wind energy parks and plants across the world, it substantially contributes to the efficiency of integrating renewable energy sources into power grids and energy markets.

By optimally combining these power predictions with its individually customisable virtual power plant - fluctuating, decentralized power sources can be reliably integrated into the energy grid and profitably marketed at an energy exchange.

The Virtual Power Plant grid operators. There are penalties if actual power generation deviates from the forecasts and these have been published online.

This shows which providers supply the best forecasts.

In the sunny south of India, the Pavagada solar park covers an area of 53 square kilometers or 7,420 soccer fields. With a total output of around two gigawatts, the park currently ranks second place among the world’s largest solar parks (behind Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan). Various operators are responsible for individual sections of the park. Since the beginning of 2020, energy&meteo has been forecasting the power generation of this park for two of the largest operators of the park in Tata Power and SB Energy –together responsible for around 700 megawatts of solar capacity.

“In India we can see in direct comparison with competitors that our forecasts are among the most accurate,” said Ulrich Focken, Managing Director and co-founder of energy&meteo systems. “We are delighted to achieve such good results despite the challenging tropical weather conditions. Even the monsoon is less of a problem than we thought.”

With this share of Pavagada solar park, the firm now provides reliable forecasts for operators of five of the six largest solar parks in the world. These include the current leader in Bhadla, India, with a total output of around 2.2 gigawatts. For the Greenko Group, the firm provides predictions for its 500 megawatts generational capacity in the world’s 6th largest solar park at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, India, with a total installed capacity of 1,000 MW.

Since 2004, the company has been engaged in research and development projects in power forecasts, grid operations, power trading and load management. Together with its partners at home and abroad, it has approximately 100 employees working towards groundbreaking and marketable solutions to consistently promote a climate-friendly and secure energy production.

Beyond India, the firms’ services are made use of by grid operators and power traders from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The firm was co-founded by Dr. Ulrich Focken and Dr. Matthias Three of the six largest solar parks in the world are located in India, Lange in 2004. Dr. Focken, who is now the managing director all with rated outputs in the gigawatt range. of the firm studied Physics at the Carl von Ossietzky Universität in Oldenburg. The topic of his dissertation, the development The firm believes that in order to safely integrate such powerful of the wind power prediction system, Previento, and its later photovoltaic power plants into the power grids, grid operators implementation into operational service, laid the foundation need particularly reliable power generation forecasts. These must stone for the founding of the company. Dr. Lange was significantly not only take into account the local weather, but also the local involved in the development of the wind power prediction system, and technical characteristics of the respective plant. Inaccurate Previento, and its transfer into operational service. He also studied forecasts endanger the security of the electricity supply. After physics in Oldenburg, Warwick (UK) and Marburg. He attained all, if grid operators do not react quickly enough to unforeseen his doctorate in 2003 from the Carl von Ossietzky University fluctuations in the grid, the electricity networks of entire regions of Oldenburg on the topic of the uncertainty of wind power can collapse. predictions.

In India, the operators of solar parks are therefore obliged to have their own generation forecasts made and to transmit them to the

-Ayush Verma

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 37

PROJECT UPDATES

SECI Tenders for 1070 MW Solar Projects in Rajasthan The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender inviting bids from eligible firms for setting up of 1070 MW gridconnected solar PV power projects in the state of Rajasthan (Tranche-III).

The Solar Power Developers (SPDs) selected by SECI based on this RfS, shall set up the solar PV projects on a Build Own Operate (BOO) basis in accordance with the provisions of this RfS document and standard Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). SECI shall enter into a PPA with the successful Bidder selected based on this RfS for purchase of the solar power generated by the projects for a period of 25 years based on the terms, conditions and provisions of the RfS. As per the RfS, the power procured by SECI from the above Project has been provisioned to be sold to the State Buying Entity, i.e.

Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (RUVNL), which shall be the Buying Entity under this RfS. The Projects to be selected under this RfS shall be of minimum individual capacities of 10 MW and shall be set up in integral values, with a cumulative capacity of 1070 MW to be set up under the RfS. Already commissioned projects cannot be considered under this RfS. Projects under construction or projects which are not yet

commissioned will, however, be considered, in case these projects are not already accepted under any other Central or State Schemes.

The last date for bid submission is August 31, 2020. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for July 31, 2020, to address the concerns raised by the prospective bidders.

NHDC Empaneling Module Manufacturers for its Solar Projects NHDC Limited, a JV company between NHPC Ltd and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, has issued a global tender for the empanelment of experienced and capable solar PV module manufacturers for the development of solar power projects by NHDC. The selected manufacturers will be empaneled (initially) for a period of 24 months.

The manufactures will be empaneled under two categories. The first i.e. Category A will be for manufacturers for projects needing a supply of 490 MW or more solar PV modules. And the second i.e. Category B for projects with a requirement of 175 MW solar PV modules.

As per the tender, bidders must fully meet the qualifying criteria for the two categories for their bids to be successfully registered.

In Category A The bidder shall be the original PV module manufacturer with a module manufacturing capacity of a minimum of 400 MWp/annum.

The bidder should have manufactured and supplied the solar PV modules of cumulative installed capacity of 55 MWp or above using any rating of modules and any source of indigenous or imported PV cells in any one 38 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

financial year to solar plants during last 7 years ending last day of month previous to the date of submission of the bid.

In Category B The bidder shall be the original PV module manufacturer with a module manufacturing capacity of a minimum of 140 MWp/annum.

The bidder should have manufactured and supplied the solar PV modules of cumulative installed capacity of 20 MWp or above using any rating of modules and any source of indigenous or imported PV cells in any one financial year to solar plants during last 7 years ending last day of month previous to the date of submission of the bid.

PROJECT UPDATES

SCCL Planning to set up 500 MW Floating Solar Plants in Telengana Government-owned coal mining company – Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has announced that it is planning to set up floating solar PV power plants on water bodies in the state of Telangana, with the support of the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation. The proposed plants will have a combined generational capacity of 500 MW, an official release from the state-owned coal miner has revealed.

The state renewable energy corporation i.e. TSREDC has taken up the feasibility study for erecting floating solar power plants on large water bodies and the department officials gave a presentation to SCCL CMDN Sridhar, according to the release.

“With SCCL ready to undertake the construction of floating solar power plants, discussions were on the subject of whether everything should be at one place or in 5 phases of 100 MW each,” the SCCL said.

They discussed the opportunities available on the water bodies situated at Karimnagar, Warangal and other districts, it said. SCCL currently has solar power plants in 11 areas in the state and looking to expand its footprints. Since March when they were first tendered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), three tenders for the development of ground-mounted and floating solar projects for SCCL have seen multiple deadline extensions.

The project tenders include the development of a 34 MW (AC) ground-based solar PV power plant, a 32 MW (AC) OB Dump based solar PV power project, and 15 MW (AC) floating solar PV power plant for different packages at SCCL, Telangana.

Capital Dynamics Partners With Tenaska for 4.8 GW Solar Portfolio Capital Dynamics, an independent global private asset management firm, has announced that it’s Clean Energy Infrastructure business has signed an agreement with Tenaska to enter into a new strategic relationship, increasing its greenfield solar footprint in both the Midwest and the Southeast United States.

The transaction comprises of 24 solar projects located in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southeast Reliability Council (SERC) markets, totaling 4,800 megawatts (MW).

The portfolio represents a large share of solar projects currently in the MISO and SERC interconnection pipelines and further diversifies Capital Dynamics’ growing utilityscale solar power portfolio across seven new states.

“We are pleased to enter into a new relationship with Tenaska in MISO and SERC, less than two years after our first MISO transaction,” said Benoit Allehaut, Managing Director in Capital Dynamics’ Clean Energy Infrastructure business. “The Tenaska team has done an excellent job overseeing a large portfolio of solar projects in attractive markets and has worked well

with our team in the past. We believe it is important to deliver competitive solar projects in regions where customers are switching to renewables.”

Tenaska – through Tenaska Solar Ventures, the company’s solar development services business – will work with Capital Dynamics to commercialise the projects. “Tenaska has

a record of success in renewables, and we are pleased that Capital Dynamics continues to recognise our team’s capabilities and sees the value we bring,” said Steve Johnson, senior vice president in Tenaska’s Strategic Development & Acquisition Group.

“This transaction further strengthens the relationship between our two companies.”

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 39

PROJECT UPDATES

CFM Partners With Ampyr for 138 MW Wind Energy Project in India Climate Fund Managers (CFM), the manager of the Climate Investor One (CI1) financing facility, has announced that it has partnered up with renewable energy developer Ampyr Energy for the development, construction and ownership of 138 MW of onshore wind farm projects located in the state of Karnataka, India.

CI1’s Construction Equity Fund has invested USD 32 million for the construction of the 38 MW Balenahalli project, which will be the first project constructed under this partnership.

The collaboration makes use of AMPYR Energy’s extensive knowledge of the Indian energy market and CI1’s innovative end to end financing solution.

Nathan Schmidt, Head of Asia at Climate Fund Managers, said “we are extremely pleased to partner with AMPYR Energy on our first wind project in Karnataka. The Ampyr Energy team has an impressive track record of delivering successful renewable energy projects that strongly align with CI1’s key objectives of displacing grid-connected coal-fired power while implementing and promoting superior ESG practices for the project and broader community. The initial project will serve clean power to over 145,000 people.”

The Balenahalli Project will deliver an estimated 149 GWh of clean energy annually and avoid approximately 130,000 tonnes of GHG emissions per year, thus making a contribution to India’s objective to deliver electricity from sustainable sources as expressed in the country’s National Electricity Plan.

Rajkumar Roy, The CEO of Ampyr Energy, said “we are excited about the partnership with CFM as this would help AMPYR Energy showcase it’s best in class institutional governance process and systems for delivering meaningful projects for powering a sustainable future.”

40 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

Cargill Partners With CleanMax for RE Projects in India US-based global food corporation Cargill has announced that it is expanding its portfolio of renewable energy projects worldwide with 10 new projects set to come up online next year. And in India, the firm has partnered with CleanMax to meet 70 to 80 percent of its facility’s electricity needs from a solar and wind hybrid project in the state of Karnataka.

The firm has stated that these renewable energy projects represent a vital component of its expanding renewable energy portfolio and progress against its climate commitment to reduce 10 percent of its overall greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2025, against a 2017 baseline.

This is in addition to its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its global supply chains by 30 per ton of product by 2030, also measured against a 2017 baseline.

“To help us meet our climate commitments, we’re focused on operating more efficiently, pursuing emissions-reducing technology and investing in renewable energy to power our operations or offset our emissions,” said Jill Kolling, Vice President of Sustainability at Cargill. “We continue to invest in renewable energy projects to change the way we power our operations, harnessing the innovative, economic and environmental benefits of renewable power.”

Railways Tender for Setting up 1 GW Solar Projects Along the Tracks The Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL) – a JV of the Ministry of Railways and RITES Ltd, has issued a tender on behalf of the Indian Railways for setting up of 1 GW ground-mounted solar power plants on railway land along the railway tracks pan India.

The last date for submission of responses to the Request for Qualification (RFQ) and the Request for Proposal (RfP) is September 2, 2020. The RFQ responses will be opened on the same date i.e. September 2, 2020.

The date and time of opening of the RfP responses and the e-reverse auction will be intimated later.

A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for July 30, 2020, to address the concerns raised by the prospective bidders.

To be eligible for participating in the bidding process, the bidders must have, over the last three financial years, have paid for, or received payments of at least one landbased solar PV project for a minimum value of 35 percent of the total quoted capacity in MW. And, the bidder must have received contractual payments in the previous three financial years and the current financial year up to the date of opening of tender, of at least 150 percent of the estimated cost for the total capacity quoted by the tenderer.

The scope of work for the selected project developers will broadly include the design, build, finance, operation, long– term maintenance and transfer of assets for solar PV project and the supply of electricity to Railways under long-term fixed-rate PPA. The developers will have a period of 420 days to complete the work on the project.

PROJECT UPDATES

SJVN Tenders for Development of 100 MW Solar Plant at Dholera Solar Park SJVN Ltd, a joint venture of Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, has issued a tender, inviting bids from eligible firms and Solar Power Developers (SPDs) for setting up of 100 MW grid-connected solar PV power plant at the Dholera Solar Park in Gujarat. The scope of work for the selected bidders will include the design, engineering, supply, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of the solar power plant on a Build Own Operate (BOO) basis. The time afforded to the successful EPC bidders will be 15 months from handing over of the project site to complete the work on the commissioning of the project.

The developers will also be required to provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for the plant for a period of 10 years from the date of successful commissioning. The project capacity was won by SJVN in the tender (Phase-IX) floated in March by the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL). GUVNL was re-tendering the 700 MW capacity which remained unallocated in solar tenders invited by GUVNL on January 16, 2019, (Phase V) and June 24, 2019 (Phase VII). SJVN will enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with GUVNL for a period of 25 years from the scheduled

commercial operation date of the project. The maximum tariff payable to the selected bidder and that a bidder can quote at any stage during the bidding process was Rs 2.92 per unit.

As per the tender, all empanelled parties of SJVN under its Phase IX tender shall be eligible to participate in this NIT, provided that they have an Annual Average Turnover for the last three financial years not less than Rs 380 crore.

EESL Tenders for 9.3 Mn Solar Home Lighting Systems for ISA Member Countries The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power, on behalf of International Solar Alliance (ISA) has invited bids from eligible bidders for the supply of 9,347,000 Solar Home Lighting Systems for installation in the member countries of ISA. The ISA is an international and intergovernmental organization of more than 121 countries having its headquarters in India and the United Nations as the strategic partner. It was jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the French president Emmanuel Macron on November 30, 2015, on the sidelines of COP-21 in Paris.

The scope of work for the selected vendors will include the design, supply, testing of the solar home lighting systems along with five years of warranty services. The last date for bid submission is October 1, 2020, and the technical bids will be opened on the same date. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled to take place on August 6, 2020, to address the concerns raised by the prospective bidders. All interested bidders will have to

submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of USD 280,410 along with their bids. As per the tender, the transportation of the solar home lighting systems to the destination within the manufacturer’s country should happen within 90 days from the placement of the order. While for the supply of home lighting systems to destination country ports should take place within 120 days from the

placement of the order. To be eligible the bidders should have been in the business of manufacturing solar home systems or should have been a solar systems integrator for at least five years prior to the bid opening date. And should have experience of supplying at least 140,200 batteries of at least 30 Amp-hour capacity or at least 78 MW of solar modules.

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 41

EV UPDATES

EESL In Pact With GM to hit 5 Million Electric Vehicle NOIDA Authority For Sales by 2030: WoodMac EV Charging Stations General Motors (GM) has set an annual annual EV sales by 2026. It currently has 4.5

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power, has signed an agreement with the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) to promote electric vehicles (EV) and install public EV charging stations and related infrastructure. The partnership will also facilitate the creation of an infrastructural ecosystem to accelerate e-mobility uptake as the nation emerges from the lockdown post COVID-19 pandemic.

The agreement was signed by A.K Tyagi, General Manager, NOIDA Authority and Amit Kaushik, Executive Director (Growth), EESL, in the presence of Ritu Maheshwari, CEO, NOIDA Authority. Speaking at the agreementsigning ceremony, Ritu Maheshwari, CEO, NOIDA, said, “developing a sustainable landscape with strong supporting EV infrastructure is the key to cultivating consumer confidence in electric vehicles.

This will significantly enhance consumer convenience as well. With the increasing penetration of EVs, the local pollutants emission levels are also expected to reduce, leading to cleaner air and several public health benefits.” EESL will make an upfront investment on services pertaining to the agreement along with the operation and maintenance of public charging infrastructure by qualified manpower. NOIDA authority will be responsible for the provision of space for the charging infrastructure. The initiative is estimated to save over 3.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions per e-car per year. The NOIDA authority has been sanctioned 162 Public EV Charging Stations (PCS) comprising 54 Bharat DC001 (15kW) and 108 122kW (50kW CCS2+ 50kW CHAdeMO+ 22kW Type2) Fast Chargers under the FAME India Scheme Phase-II of Department of Heavy Industry (DHI). And EESL is the selected organization for deployment of public charging stations in NOIDA City.

42 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

target for 1 million electric vehicle (EV) sales globally by the mid-2020s. Although the company will only meet half of that target by 2026, it is expected to hit 5 million in cumulative EV sales by 2030 according to new research from Wood Mackenzie.

The research adds that the firms’ primary markets are currently North America and China, while the company also has a strong market share in South America. Due to declining sales and profits, GM sold its European brands in 2017 and exited the regional market. The EU is the secondlargest EV market in the world, representing 25 percent of global EV sales by 2026. And according to WoodMac, without a presence in Europe, GM will need to win 30 percent of the US and 16 percent of the Chinese EV market to achieve its target of 1 million

percent and 6.7 percent, respectively.

This challenge is compounded by the fact that 17 percent of current GM sales are from pick-up trucks, a segment not expected to electrify as quickly as passenger cars, added the report.

“GM’s target would entail capturing 12 percent of the global EV market share by 2026. This will be challenging, particularly given its notable absence from the EU. Despite this, GM does have a clear-cut strategy towards electrification. It has divested from plug-in hybrids, with 90 percent of its EV sales coming from battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Earlier this year, GM announced a further USD 20 billion investment for new electric and autonomous vehicles,” said Ram Chandrasekaran, Wood Mackenzie Principal Analyst.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids Launches ‘Grid-eMotion’ EV Charging System Hitachi ABB Power Grids has launched its new grid-to-plug EV charging system – Grid-eMotion Fleet, that delivers a stepchange approach for public transport and commercial operators. The smart mobility solution, as per the firm, enables operators to efficiently scale up their operations and is expected to contribute to a sustainable society for millions living in urban areas.

The firm is leveraging its world-class power systems capabilities together with Hitachi’s advanced digital technologies and proven track record of innovation in smart cities and sustainable mobility. The newly formed joint venture is pioneering a broader range of clean solutions for the global mobility market. The global technology leader has been pioneering EV charging solutions since 2013, where it first introduced innovative flash-charging eBus solutions in Geneva and Nantes. Through close collaboration with transport operators, Hitachi ABB

Power Grids has identified a market need for a more holistic approach to large-scale charging. The launch of Grid-eMotion Fleet marks a game-changing shift from a chargerproduct based approach to a chargingsystem based approach, which helps to accelerate the future of smart mobility.

The charging solution comes in standard containers that integrate the grid connection and charging systems altogether. It uses DC technology and can connect to any type of power network, removing the complexities of integrating AC-DC chargers into a system.

Compared to a conventional connection to the AC grid, the solution – as per the firm – brings a 60 percent reduction in space required for large-scale EV fleet charging, whilst the depot cabling is reduced by 40 percent. The fast-to-install solution harnesses renewable energy through grid integration, smart mobility, digital energy management system and incorporates insights from data analytics.

EV UPDATES

FICCI Makes the Case for Extending FAME-II by 2 Years The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) has recommended various measures, including the continuation of the FAME-II scheme till 2025, to enhance demand for electric vehicles in the country. The recommendations, submitted by FICCI’s EV committee to the government, seek immediate support from policymakers to enhance attractiveness for these vehicles in the short term and to encourage continued investments in the sector. These suggestions have been submitted to NITI Aayog, the Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and other relevant authorities in the government, a release from the Industry Body stated.

The association has also requested the government to take certain steps urgently to prevent derailment of the sector and to help create demand so that India can attain leadership in EV technology and sales.

“As demand and investments in the electric vehicles sector are severely hit due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, FICCI has suggested to the government, a series of measures to ensure continuity of the EV growth road map and achievement of the targets as envisioned by the government for the sector in the next decade,” the FICCI release said.

The industry body is however apprehensive about the adverse impact of the introduction of this green technology due to factors such as a reduction in demand for automobiles, higher risk aversion among customers towards new technology, disruption in the supply chain, among others.

“There is also a likelihood of a reduction in demand for shared mobility leading to reduced demand for electric three-wheelers and postponement of investments in EV technology by local component makers,” FICCI stated.

Okaya Bags EV Charger Deal From PGCIL in Meghalaya Okaya, a flagship company of Okaya Power Group has announced that it has bagged a major contract from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), a Maharatna PSU of Government of India. PGCIL has given this contract to Okaya for supply, installation and commissioning of over 55 Multi-Standard EV charger (100 kW) as per CCS2/CHAdeMO Protocol, and 15 kW DC fast chargers as per DC-001 in Shillong, Meghalaya.

Committed to meet the fast-emerging demand for both Charging Infrastructure as well as EV Charging Solutions across the country, Okaya will be deploying its ‘‘state-of-the-art’’ EV chargers across the entire city of Shillong. The EV Chargers are compatible with all internationally accepted standards and the company’s research and development division works round-theclock to develop a best-in-class product line.

The firm has already catapulted its capabilities to facilitate well laid out electric vehicle charging infrastructure

across the country. Anshul Gupta, Director, Okaya Power Private Ltd. said, “we are delighted to be awarded with the contract of installation and commission of over 55 Multi-Standard EV chargers (100KW) as per CCS2/CHAdeMO Protocol, and 15 KW DC fast chargers as per DC-001 in Shillong. With our ongoing efforts, we are able to support the Government in creating a sustainable Eco-system for Electric vehicles in India.

We are contributing our bit to removing

the bottlenecks in the success and smooth operations of electrical vehicles that need the critical infrastructure of an adequate number of charging stations and innovative charging solutions.”

He added, “We also welcome the recent steps taken by the government to boost the use of EVs to help curb the CO2 emissions which are also essential for the country to meet its commitment to combat the threat of climate change.”

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 43

EV UPDATES

Mercedes Benz Acquires Stake in Battery Cell Manufacturer Farasis Mercedes-Benz has announced it is taking another important step on its journey towards CO2-neutral mobility. The Stuttgart-based luxury car manufacturer has launched a far-reaching strategic partnership with the Chinese battery cell manufacturer Farasis Energy (Ganzhou), including taking an equity stake in the company.

This move represents another important milestone towards Mercedes-Benz’s “Ambition2039” CO2-neutral goal.

Key elements of the agreement include the development and industrialisation of highly advanced cell technologies, accompanied by ambitious goals for cost competitiveness. The technological focus is on significant increases in range through advances in energy density and the reduction of charging times.

The contract will provide a secure source of supply of battery cells for Mercedes-Benz’s electrification strategy, while Farasis gains security for its planned construction of production capacity.

In order to be able to meet the increasing demand for German Mercedes-Benz plants in the future, Farasis is building a plant for battery cells in Bitterfeld-Wolfen; creating up to 2,000 new jobs. The East German site is designed as a CO2-neutral factory from the start.

“We are very pleased to further expand our partnership with Farasis in taking a decisive step within the implementation of our electric

strategy ‘Electric first’. By strategically expanding our business relationship, we are pushing the electrification of our model portfolio ahead,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “With this agreement, we contribute our expertise in the field of battery cell development. At the same time, we are providing a boost for Farasis’s new plant and promoting the sustainable development of key technology and its establishment in Germany. We share with our partner the common vision of a more sustainable world through CO2-neutral mobility.”

Yulu Secures Rs 30 Crore Funding Led by VC Firm Rocketship Electric micro-mobility service provider Yulu recently announced that it has secured a fresh infusion of Rs 30 crores in equity funding led by US-based VC firm Rocketship and existing investors. The new investment received during the COVID-19 crisis, the firm claims, validates the growth potential of the new-age mobility firms.

As per the release, the new investment will be used for further strengthening the mobility platform, technology solutions, and enabling rapid expansion.

Amit Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Yulu said, “we are glad to have Rocketship on board as our new investor. We stand to benefit from their global expertise in supporting technology-led businesses and look forward to working with them.”

Talking about Silicon Valley-based VC firm’s first-ever investment in the Indian micromobility sector, Sailesh Ramakrishnan, Partner at Rocketship said, “Yulu is one of the most exciting and innovative companies in the micro-mobility space and we are happy to join and support the team. We believe that Yulu will revolutionize the daily commute of every Indian while having 44 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

a significantly positive impact on the environment.”

RK Misra Co-founder and President Ecosystem Partnerships – Yulu further commented, “Electric Mobility comes with its own challenges of charging infrastructure and range anxiety. Yulu has overcome these

challenges by its proprietary IoT driven and highly scalable charging infrastructure.”

The startup has raised more than USD 20 million in funding so far from key investors like Bajaj Auto Ltd, Blume Ventures, 3one4 Capital, Wavemaker, and now US-based Rocketship, among others.

WEEKLY TOP X SERIES

Top 10 Solar PV Module Suppliers in India for 2019 Solar energy has become the leading resource for renewable energy expansion worldwide, and the case is similar in India.

Where it now ranks ahead of wind energy, as the leading contributor to India’s renewable energy generational capacity.

According to the latest data made available by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), as on February 29, 2020, a cumulative renewable energy capacity of 132.15 GW had been installed in the country, with an additional capacity of 46.69 GW under various stages of implementation and 34.07 GW under various stages of bidding.

Of these, grid-connected solar power capacity is at 35.07 GW, with 21.35 GW in implementation and an additional 31.27 GW at various stages of tendering.

Now while the Indian solar market is expanding as quickly as it is, a majority of its demand (roughly 70 percent) is being met through imports from China and other foreign markets. And the Indian Government is now planning to quickly transition to a more locally dependent market as it wants to reduce the imports from foreign suppliers (especially China). In line with which, new announcements have been made which will see import duties on Chinese imports rise to (at its highest) 40 percent of the cost of the modules. A heavy import duty, and one that perhaps will come as a boost for the local manufacturers.

But for 2019, while the safeguard duty was in place with import rates running at 15 percent, the total modules supplied to the market are estimated to be around 8,366 MW, largely dominated by Chinese manufacturers.

Here we take a look at the leading solar PV module supplier in India (utility-scale and rooftop projects) for the year 2019.

Risen Energy The leading module supplier in the Indian market for 2019 was Chinese brand Risen Energy. The company finished with an 11.6 percent share of the market, inching out local manufacture Waaree to the top spot.

The company, as per research agency Bridge to India, held the top spot for a second consecutive year.

Waaree Mumbai-headquartered solar PV module

Trina Solar First of the five Chinese firms that will close out the top 10 is Trina Solar. The firm grabbed an 8.5 percent share in the Indian market in 2019 to finish sixth. It is believed that the company was actually leading the market for the first half of the year but then lost out to the others by year-end.

Renesola Next in the list is Renesola which bagged a 6 percent market share in 2019, to slot in at seventh position behind Trina Solar.

The Chinese manufacturer had crossed manufacturer Waaree secured a 10.6 percent the milestone of 20 GW in solar module market share in 2019, finishing second in deliveries globally at the back end of 2019. the overall market behind Risen Energy.

However, it did beat the likes of Vikram Solar JinkoSolar and Adani to claim the spot of the leading In eight position is JinkoSolar, which local module supplier in the market. finished eighth in the list with a 4.6 percent share in the market. Not the best position for Znshine the leading supplier, however, the firm has Another Chinese manufacturer, closing had a good start in 2020. The manufacturer, out the top three supplier list is Znshine. according to JMK Research, was the leading The firm grabbed a 9.6 percent share of solar module supplier in India in the first the market to finish in the third position. quarter of 2020.

Overall, the firm’s exports to India declined in 2019 which fell from over a gigawatt in LONGi Solar 2018 to roughly 800 MWs in 2019, however, One of the world’s leading manufacturers it still maintained a comfortable share in the of high-efficiency mono-crystalline solar market. cells and modules, LONGi Solar only managed to finish 9th in the list of leading Vikram Solar suppliers in India for 2019. The company Fourth in the list, and just marginally losing managed a 4.5 percent share in the market out to Znshine in the top 3 suppliers list is but will hope to improve on that in 2020, Kolkatta based manufacturer Vikram Solar. as it has signed a 1.2 GW multi-year The firm lost out on top three by a margin module supply agreement with Adani of roughly 8-10 MWs, as it grabbed a market Green Energy. share of 9.5 percent to Znshines’ 9.6 percent.

The firm has received a 300 MW solar project Canadian Solar from NTPC and is expected to stay firm at Closing out the top 10 is the seventh Chinese the top of the list for 2020. module manufacturer in the list – Canadian Solar. The firm held a 3.8 percent share Adani in the Indian market in 2019. In April, the Following right behind Vikram Solar is firm had stated that it had experienced the Adani which grabbed a 9.5 percent market limited impact of the coronavirus outbreak share in the company. Adani perhaps is on its production facilities based in China, one the largest IPPs and project developers and is expected to hold a bigger share in the in the country, and its indulgence in market in 2020. the manufacturing business buoyed by the recent win in the country’s first { This list was sourced from a research manufacturing linked tender (annual report by JMK Research and Analytics. mandatory manufacturing capacity of 2000 However, a report by Bridge to India has MW) could see it challenging for the top spot a slightly different ranking for the top very soon. module suppliers for the year 2019.} Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 45

MARKET UPDATES

Viability of Rs 2.36/ Unit to Depend on Module Prices & Duty: ICRA The recently concluded tranche IX auction for inter-state transmission systems (ISTS) solar projects by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) yielded the lowest ever tariffs at Rs 2.36/unit, considerably lower than the Rs 2.44/Unit discovered in May 2017. And as per a new ICRA note, the lower tariff is driven by a fall in the global solar module prices caused by the lull in demand owing to the COVID-19 pandemic which coupled with other factors could impact the viability of the solar tariffs as these are critically dependent on PV module price level and INR-USD exchange rate, besides the availability of long tenure debt at a cost-competitive rate.

Sabyasachi Majumdar, Group Head & Senior Vice President, ICRA said, “Further, the viability aspect remains extremely crucial, given the possibility of trade restrictions with China in the near-term which could impact the module availability at competitive prices. Also, a timely pass-through of increase in project cost due to imposition of basic customs duty, if any, on the imported modules remains critical, given that the notification of such duty is still not in place.”

The safeguard duty imposed on imported modules, currently at 15 percent is about to expire in July 2020 and the Government of India is likely to impose basic customs duty (BCD) from August 1, 2020, onwards.

The Indian solar sector has largely been dependent on China for the procurement of solar modules. However, the sourcing of solar PV modules for under-construction solar projects as well as the procurement of raw materials for domestic solar module manufacturing OEMs, especially from China could be a challenge, given the backdrop of increasing geopolitical risks between India and China. “In such a scenario, the cost of import of such modules/components from alternate destinations including that of sourcing from the domestic module manufacturers, remains a key monitor-able from the viability perspective for the underconstruction solar projects in the near to medium term,” said Girishkumar Kadam, Sector Head & VP, ICRA. 46 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

5.5 GW PV Additions in India in FY21; 15% Decline due to COVID-19: ICRA The domestic solar PV capacity additions in FY 2019-20 has remained lower by about 15 percent than the previous estimate of 7-7.5 GW, mainly on account of the disruption in supply chain and execution disruption in Q4 FY20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And, according to independent and professional investment information and credit rating agency ICRA, The solar capacity addition in FY 2020-21 is further expected to remain subdued given the continued execution challenges post lockdown restrictions since March 2020, which have resulted in disruption of the supply chain as well as labour availability issues.

This has added to the woes of the sector which continues to remain plagued by various execution related issues such as delays in land acquisition, receipt of evacuation approvals, regulatory delays in tariff adoption and obtaining financial closure in a tight financing environment.

Girishkumar Kadam, Sector Head & Vice President, ICRA said, “The solar capacity addition during FY 2020-21 is expected to come down further by 15 percent to about 5.5 GW given the execution headwinds amid lockdown restrictions post-COVID pandemic. This also assumes the execution delays by about 4-5 months for many of the under-construction projects and expected normalcy in construction activity during H2 of the current fiscal. Nonetheless, the backlog of the awarded project pipeline continues to remain strong with more than 15 GW of aggregate project capacity, thus providing healthy visibility on capacity addition over the next 2-year period.”

Further, the announced tender pipeline by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has been significant. Strong policy focus and improved tariff competitiveness keep the solar sector prospects intact in the long run.

$151 Bn for Fossil Fuels, Only $89 Bn for RE in COVID-19 Recovery Packages A new report shows that during the global pandemic, total commitments in support of fossil fuels reached at least USD 151 billion from G20 governments. Of which, only 20 percent made financial support conditional on green requirements, such as setting climate targets or implementing pollution reduction plans. While at the same time, only USD 89 billion has been committed to clean energy but a massive 81 percent of this support is unspecific about the appropriate environmental safeguards. This data was made public recently on the Energy Policy Tracker, a new website tracking climateand energy-related recovery policies. It will provide information about public funding commitments and other government policies related to the production and consumption of energy in the G20 countries since the beginning of the pandemic. While

rhetoric about the need for a green recovery has grown louder in the policy space, this data shows that, in reality, fossil fuel producers and high-carbon sectors, such as airlines, are currently receiving 70 percent more recovery aid than the clean energy.

“The COVID-19 crisis and governments’ responses to it are intensifying the trends that existed before the pandemic struck,” said Dr. Ivetta Gerasimchuk, IISD expert and the Energy Policy Tracker project lead.

“National and subnational jurisdictions that heavily subsidised the production and consumption of fossil fuels in previous years have once again thrown lifelines to oil, gas, coal, and fossil fuel-powered electricity.

Meanwhile, economies that had already begun a transition to clean energy are now using stimulus and recovery packages to make this happen even faster.”

MARKET UPDATES

Buoyed by Offshore Wind, Renewable Investments in 1H 2020 Climb 5%: BNEF Renewable energy capacity investments showed great resilience in the first half (1H) of 2020, in the face of the unprecedented economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest figures from research company BloombergNEF (BNEF). The data shows that one sub-sector of renewables – offshore wind – had by far its busiest half-year ever for final investment decisions, and this more than offset declines in investment in solar, onshore wind and biomass.

Offshore wind financings in 1H 2020 totalled USD 35 billion, up 319 percent year-on-year and in fact well above 2019’s record full-year figure (a revised USD 31.9 billion). The first half of this year saw investment decisions made on 28 sea-based wind farms, including the largest ever, the 1.5 GW Vattenfall Hollandse Zuid array off the coast of the Netherlands, costing an estimated USD 3.9 billion. Other major offshore deals included the 1.1 GW SSE Seagreen project off the U.K., at an estimated USD 3.8 billion; the 600MW

CIP Changfang Xidao array off Taiwan, at an estimated USD 3.6 billion; and the Fecamp and Saint-Brieuc projects in French waters, together totaling 993 MW and USD 5.4 billion. There were no fewer than 17 Chinese installations financed, led by the Guangdong Yudean Yangjiang Yangxi Shapaat 600 MW and USD 1.8 billion.

Albert Cheung, head of analysis at BNEF, said “we expected to see COVID-19 affecting renewable energy investment in the first half, via delays in the financing process and to some auction programs. There are signs of that in both solar and onshore wind, but the overall global figure has proved amazingly resilient – thanks to offshore wind.”

Firms Turning to Renewables to Power Oil & Gas Operations: IHS Markit A new report has revealed that oil and gas field operations are beginning to be fuelled by a surprising source – renewables.

According to new research by IHS Markit, oil and gas companies are starting to utilise such zero-carbon sources to reduce carbon emissions associated with operations, according to a new database and analysis by IHS Markit of these types of renewable energy projects. “There is a striking pace of growth over the past few years and a dynamic commercial environment for delivering renewable energy to oil and gas operations,” said Judson Jacobs, executive director, upstream energy, IHS Markit. “Energy efficiency efforts and reductions in flaring can only do so much to lower greenhouse gas emissions, so some companies are turning to zero-carbon sources to power their upstream, midstream and downstream operations.”

While the numbers are small, they have been growing rapidly over just the past couple years. There had been fewer than 15 of these renewable energy projects from the early 2000s (when the industry first deployed such technologies) through 2017. IHS Markit now tallies more than 45 announced projects in its Oil and Gas Fieldbased Renewable Energy database, with 13 announcements made in 2018 and 15 made in 2019. The report further adds that projects announced in 2018 and 2019 are expected to avert more than 3 million metric tons of annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

combined. By contrast, projects in only one prior year averted as much as 0.3 MMT. Deployments are occurring in both new developments and existing assets, with solar the most prominent renewable technology, followed by hydropower and wind. These deployments are part of companies’ broader greenhouse gas emissions management strategies that the database tracks and analyses.

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 47

MARKET UPDATES

Nearly 14 GW of Wind Turbine Capacity Ordered Globally in Q1 2020: WoodMac The first quarter (Q1) of 2020 saw nearly 14 GW of wind turbine capacity ordered globally. This is the second-highest first quarter on record and equates to an estimated USD 13.4 billion, according to a new analysis from Wood Mackenzie.

Wind turbine orders for the global onshore market made up 85 percent (12.6 GW) of capacity in Q1. Nine of the top 10 onshore wind turbine models sold during the first quarter of 2020 were introduced within the past two years, underscoring the rapid pace of technology evolution, evolving customer needs, and competitive product positioning. “Positive momentum from order negotiations in 2019 largely eased the potential severity of the pandemic’s impact on order intake in Q1. Onshore demand in Europe, primarily in Scandinavia, the UK and Poland, tempered weak order intake in traditional onshore markets, such as the US, India and Australia,” said Luke Lewandowski, Wood Mackenzie Research Director.

The report adds that developers in China logged a feverish fifth consecutive quarter of more than 5 GW. “Chinese demand has started to wane this year due to the impending expiry of China’s onshore subsidy coupled with the impact of coronavirus during the first quarter of 2020,” added Lewandowski.

Further, orders for projects in Japan and Taiwan accounted for 33

percent of Q1 global offshore wind turbine order intake and 42 percent of overall offshore demand in the Asia Pacific, excluding China. MHI Vestas captured the entirety of this demand for offshore projects. The deployment of higher-rated turbines continues to accelerate onshore, with the sector making up 45 percent of demand for models rated 5 to 6.99 MW during the first quarter of 2020.

APAC now the World’s Largest Wind Turbine Manufacturing Hub: GWEC A new analysis has revealed that Asia Pacific (APAC) remained a strong manufacturing hub for wind turbine OEMs with record-high supply-side deliveries. It adds that although most Asian suppliers have historically relied on turbine technologies licensed from Europe to enter the wind industry, Asia Pacific has now become the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturing hub after a decade of development. In 2019, GWEC saw eight Asian turbine suppliers making the cut in the world’s top fifteen supplier ranking, as per GWEC Market Intelligence’s latest report ‘Supply-Side Data 2019’.

The report adds that Europe is considered the cradle for modern wind turbine technologies, which explains why European OEMs such as Vestas and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy are today’s global leaders in wind turbine manufacturing and turbine technology innovation, but APAC has surely caught up to it now.

In 2019, some 33 wind turbine manufacturers installed an estimated 22,893 wind turbines globally with a combined 48 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

capacity of 63,076 MW. Of the 33 suppliers, 20 are from APAC. As home to the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturing base, Asia Pacific saw 12,784 wind turbines installed during 2019, 55.8 percent of the global total for the year.

The top fifteen wind turbine manufacturers in 2019 include the eight APAC companies, all of which are based in China. However,

aside from Goldwind, Envision, and Dongfang, none of these companies exported turbines to overseas markets last year. Suppliers such as Mingyang, Windey, Sewind, CSIC Haizhuang and United Power currently rely on their home market growth in China, the world’s largest wind power market, to secure a position on the top fifteen rankings.

MARKET UPDATES

Foreign Firms Attracted to Competitive Bidding in Indian Solar Tenders: CRISIL Rating agency CRISIL has said the absence of any formal duty on imports at the time of project tendering and lower returns globally in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak have resulted in competitive tariff rates in the solar energy sector. According to the agency, a chance coming together of several positives has led to a new record low tariff bid in the interstate transmission system (ISTS) tranche IX auctions of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

Improved interest from global firms in the Indian solar sector, especially given the environment of lower returns globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and absence of any formal duty on imports when the projects were tendered, resulted in the discovery of lowest tariff of Rs 2.36 per unit for the SECI bids, said CRISIL. “A big reason for lowering of tariff compared with even ISTS VIII was the timing of the auctions, which offered a window of

opportunity before any additional taxation (in the form of safeguard duty and/or basic customs duty) set in. Without the current duty of 15 percent, keeping module prices stable, capital costs would be lower by 5-7 percent,” the agency said. The lowest tariff was quoted by Solarpack Corporacion Tecnologica SA, while Avikaran Surya India (Enel Green Power), Amp Energy Green,

Eden Renewables, and ib Vogt Singapore Private Limited quoted the second-lowest tariff of Rs 2.37 per unit. AMP Energy won 100 MW of projects, while the other companies won 300 MW of projects each.

Meanwhile, ReNew Power quoted Rs 2.38 per unit for 1200 mW of projects but won only 400 MW under the bucket filling method.

Green Energy can Shoulder India’s Economic Recovery After COVID-19: Report A new report has detailed how COVID-19 is influencing the clean energy transition in India, as well as identifying principles and strategic opportunities that if implemented well, will drive economic recovery and maintain momentum towards a green energy economy. The report, Towards a Clean Energy Economy: Post-COVID-19 Opportunities for India’s Energy and Mobility Sectors, by government think tank Niti Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), advocates for stimulus and recovery efforts including electric vehicle, energy storage, and renewable energy programs.

Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog said he is confident that India’s economy will recover following the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic. “India’s strong democratic institutions promote policy stability. Ongoing economic reforms, if executed well, should keep the country’s growth rate ahead of peers,” he said.

The report lays out four principles as a framework to support India’s clean energy

future: 1) invest in least-cost-energy solutions, 2) support resilient and secure energy systems, 3) prioritise efficiency and competitiveness, and 4) promote social and environmental equity. “COVID-19 has disrupted the world and affected everyone’s lives,” said Clay Stranger, senior director, Rocky Mountain Institute. “As India looks to recovery efforts, clean energy and mobility systems can make a more resilient India by

bolstering manufacturing, enhancing the reliability of electricity, avoiding costly oil imports, and cleaning the air.” “Clean energy will be a major driver of India‘s economic recovery and international competitiveness,” said Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. “We have recommended specific actions by which India can revive two of our economic powerhouses—the transport and power sectors—and emerge stronger.”

Saur Energy International n July 2020 n 49

OPINION

Understanding The Record Rs 2.36 Bid at SECI’s 2 GW auction. Just Covid 19?

Shortly after we received news of the record low prices or SECI’s 2 GW ISTS tender, we checked with our sources at SECI on the reasons for the low bid. The short answer? ” We are equally surprised”. Solarpack corporacion of Spain was the surprise winner, with its bid at Rs 2.36 for 300 MW. The Spanish major looks set to be a major player in India, with its other recent projects wins effectively sending it on its way to a 1 GW capacity in India by 2022-23. MNRE minister R.K.Singh was pleased , expressing it in multiple tweets announcing the bid prices.

Informed sources at one of the unsuccessful bidders, which had itself placed bids in the range of Rs 2.40, had an answer. ” Demand destruction due to COVID -19 has led to a supply glut of sorts in all major markets. We expect module prices to stay depressed all through 2020, even 2021. With lead times of up to 3 months, we had anticipated placing orders a little earlier than usual, so the lower price definitely was well planned”. With modules accounting for 60 percent of a typical project cost, that certainly matters.

Global industry researchers, Woodmac (Wood Mackenzie) certainly seem to support those claims, with a projection of a further 20 percent drop in utility-scale solar costs over the coming 5 years. And this is for all components.

Most importantly, China, which has built up massive capacities, saw its leading firms cut prices repeatedly between March and June, as the demand slump hit hard.

And some possible cancellations. China dominates global capacity in Modules and cells, with probably over 75 percent of global capacity, which, combined with announced expansion plans, would easily take the total to 100 percent and above for the coming years. In Ingots and Wafers, its dominance is even more complete presently. Easily over 90 percent of global supply in the case of wafers. During an earlier visit to China last year, it was clear to us that wafer margins are healthier for many of the top manufacturers, leaving the scope for even more reductions on the table this year. With huge capacity expansions already announced or underway, the pressure to keep going will be

strong. Quite frankly, there is every chance that the Chinese government itself might step in now to arrest some of the expansions until the market stabilises again. Failure to do it might mean consolidation in the industry in China, or at least a few smaller and middle players risk getting squeezed out of the market by the giants like Tongwei, Longi, GCL, etc.

The higher CUF requirements in the newer projects also mean that firms can actually consider more modern tech, especially mono perc modules now, without quite incurring the higher cost as recently as last year. Which explains the interest of foreign firms in the auction. These firms will hope to showcase their ‘better’ installations as one way to convince the government to continue with the policy of encouraging larger projects with fewer restrictions. Already, we have seen how storage plus tenders are moving towards no price ceilings.

With talk of a duty refund on these projects, (if PPA is signed before August 1), although when the refund comes back is anyone’s guess, the maths certainly seems to add up.

8 GW Project On Offer In NSW, Australia, After Success with May 3 GW Project New South Wales, whose state capital Sydney is the largest financial and commercial centre in Australia, has announced its second 8 GW Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). the new announcement follows the success the state had with it first such zone, that was announced in May this year was for a capacity of 3 GW, and drew interest for almost 27 GW, or 9 times the capacity on offer. The project called the Central-West Orana REZ is about 300km north-west of Sydney.

For New South Wales, the response to the Central West Orana project has obviously meant a quick relook at its renewable plan, upwards. The state, which is powered mostly by thermal energy up until now, is seeking to make a decisive shift away towards renewables. The New England 50 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

REZ, in the state’s north-west, as the new offer is named, is expected to attract $12.7 billion in investment and support 2,000 construction jobs and 1,300 ongoing jobs.

The NSW government itself plans to invest AUD 79 million (USD 54.8m) to develop the new zone in the northern part of the state.

The new offer also easily makes NSW the bellweather state the leader in Australia as far as size of commitment and actual capacity goes.

“The nine-fold level of interest in the Central-West Orana REZ was astounding, so it makes absolute sense to go even bigger with the New England REZ,” NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean said.

NSW currently has 3.3 GW of utility scale solar and wind capacity, and is ramping up fast now as some of the older coal plants in the region are scheduled to be shut ,

starting 2023 onwards. That opens up a market for replacement capacity as well as fresh capacity for growth, something the state is keen to fill in with renewable energy.

Till recently, a massive geographical spread has meant that many Australian states have found it easier to push rooftop solar with subsidies, including for storage, than large scale utility solar, as transmission costs become a real factor in end delivery.

For EPC firms like Sterling and Wilson, which has tasted some big wins in Australia after a long and patient wait, the news is surely welcome, as growth in its home market continues to falter, and the Australian market has seen a high fatality rate among previous EPC players, leaving a market with limited competition to manage for the Indian EPC giant.

OPINION

Mukesh Ambani Signals A Clean Energy Shift at RIL AGM The 43rd AGM of Reliance Industries Limited, now India’s most valuable group, was notable for announcements in the group’s traditional fuels business, even as all the thunder was stolen by the announcements for the telecom and retail business.

The first was the confirmation by Group Chairman Mukesh Ambani that the deal with Saudi Aramco, where the latter was to invest USD 15 billion for a 20 percent stake in the petrochemicals business, was ‘deferred’ for now. He did not give any new timeline for the deal. This was the deal on the back of which Mr. Ambani had promised to make the group debt-free by March 2020. It is another matter that the group, once it realised that the deal was facing headwinds (made worse by the slowdown and the Corona pandemic impact from February), rushed to change its other fundraising plans. At least some part of the record fundraising (by any Indian firm at the same time) by the Reliance group can also be put down to the knowledge that the Aramco deal will not happen anytime soon.

The second key announcement by Mr. Ambani was on the group’s plan to pivot away from transportation auto fuels to clean electricity and hydrogen as it set a target to become net carbonzero by 2035. This is one of the most ambitious targets among oil majors globally, and hopefully, signal astute foresight by the group chairman again.

The firm said that it uses technology to convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and other material building blocks.

“While Reliance will remain a user of crude oil and natural gas, we are committed to embracing new technologies to convert our carbon dioxide into useful products and chemicals,” he said at the company’s annual general meeting. Currently, the country has a refining capacity of a little over 232 million tonnes, against the domestic demand of 194.2 million tonnes in fiscal 2017. According to the International Energy Agency, this demand is expected to reach 458 million tonnes by 2040. And the IEA’s past record on projections has been patchy at best.

At its 1.36 million barrels per day Jamnagar refinery, Reliance already has a much higher 24 percent conversion rate of ‘oil-tochemicals’ currently, with the rest going for traditional fuels like petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, etc.

Mr. Ambani highlighted the substantial progress already made on photosynthetic biological pathways to convert carbon dioxide emissions at Jamnagar into high-value proteins, nutraceuticals, advanced materials, and fuels.

“We will develop next-gen carbon capture and storage technologies,” he said. “We are evaluating novel catalytic and electrochemical transformations to use CO2 as a valuable feedstock.”

Hydrogen-powered fuel, the big bet we reported on for the European Community, is also part of the plan. The capital intensive venture meets all of Reliance’s criteria for entry. Size, Scale, and impact. “We will replace transportation fuels with clean electricity and hydrogen. We will combine our strengths in digital, power electronics, advanced materials and electrochemistry to build full-stack electrolyser and fuel cell solutions in India.”

The two announcements above would make it clear to anyone that the group is changing its view on the growth of fuel consumption

patterns in India. The country is predicted to be the biggest driver of growth in fossil fuels between 2025 to 2040, but that view might change quickly, with the right policies for Electric Vehicles, breakthrough’s in hydrogen fuel and storage technologies and more. Unlike the investment into Reliance’s petrol business, Saudi Arabia’s own investments into Hydrogen fuel are progressing fast, signaling that the kingdom is not going to close itself to this opportunity. India should welcome the move into Hydrogen fuels by Reliance, as the country seeks to keep pace with the developments in this vital new path in energy independence.

An interesting side impact of these pronouncements will be the planned refinery on India’s west coast. The project, to set up a massive 60 million tonnes per annum refinery on the country’s west coast, is planned to be a venture involving the country’s leading public sector oil firms, with Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC and Saudi Aramco. With costs already having escalated to over $60 billion dollars from the original $44 billion, and more possible, the scenario for this particular refiner in the country’s environmentally sensitive western ghats has to have changed. Because like the country’s many stranded coal and gas power plants, this refinery too could be looking at demand much below projections. Unless there is a wave of refinery closures in the region and beyond, especially of older refineries. As a prestige, big-ticket project, the project continues to have enough momentum behind it officially, but one hopes that pragmatic decisions will be made on its feasibility and long term viability.

The big takeaways here? A shift towards clean energy by the country’s largest industrial conglomerate, with a 2035 deadline.

The continued rise of Hydrogen fuel as an alternative to the present lithium-ion battery-powered electric mobility transition.

And finally, an opportunity for the country to seriously relook a mega project which might not really be needed, within a decade of its existence by 2035 or so.

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OPINION

Now Punjab Wants to Tear Up Solar Contracts Even as the issues from Andhra Pradesh are still to be resolved, comes the news of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the key state discom, pushing for a 10 percent discom from solar power producers.

PSCL’s logic? The hit to collections during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the amazing argument that while determining the rate, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) had taken into account the interest on loan capital as 13% to 13.5%. The discom claims that these rates have come down considerably.

Not just that, it also repeats the Andhra argument of subsequent auctions at considerably lower prices to push for its case.

Finally, the discount ‘requested’ is not for a limited period, but open ended, starting July 1, 2020.

The arguments are probably the best example you will ever see of why the government should not be in business. But for the fact that its consumers have votes, the same PSPCL would have pleased for an increase in tariff rates to make its consumers pay, as they have indeed been paying, for its inefficiencies. But with power tariffs in the state the highest across India at Rs 8.37, perhaps going back to its consumers has been considered unviable.

But like a true bully it targets the smallest, weakest player in the state’s energy mix.

Much like many corporates who, faced with a crisis, look to chop jobs at the lowest rung first, before even considering salary cuts at the top.

The total share of solar power, at well under 3 percent of the state’s total purchases, is so little that it is almost laughable how little impact a 10 percent discount here can deliver. On top of that, most of the new solar capacity added since 2019 would be at rates competitive with, or even lower than the discoms other sources of power.

The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), had this to say in its letter addressed to the state Chief Minister, Mr Amarinder Singh.

“We wish to highlight the fact that the tariff specified under the PPA was discovered through a transparent bidding process and 52 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

adopted and approved by the appropriate commission in accordance with applicable legal provisions. Additionally, at the time of reverse auction, the tariff was calculated considering all the applicable factors for a life span of the project, so that it becomes easy for the tariff to sustain throughout the entire project cycle and should be in a position to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Since, the developers have already signed PPA, a contractual agreement, any change will not only make a project economic unviable but also contributes to a negative impact on upcoming investments.

It is to inform you that such request for discount on tariff for the project cycle is not maintainable in the eyes of law and is premised on misconstrued understanding of the provisions enshrined under the Electricity Act, 2003 as well as PPAs and settled legal principles. It is undisputed that tariff under the PPA, especially that being adopted under section 63 of the Electricity Act 2003, cannot be changed.

Hence, such request of discount on energy tariff and any other kind of assertions on to the SPDs are illegal and unsustainable. In this regard, we call upon you to continue with the procurement of power under the PPA as per the agreed Tariff. We expect your continued support for the Solar Projects to regular payments towards electricity generation in the state.”

Developers we spoke to across the spectrum, both big and small, expressed shock and horror at the move. Even smaller developers in the rooftop sector pointed out that consumers will never trust the sanctity of the

price at which their power produced will be brought at, if this is what they see happening to larger players in utilities.

Incredibly, this is the same state that has PPA’s with thermal plants like Rajpura Thermal Power Plant (L&T Owned), Talwandi Sabo Power Project (Sterlite Group), and Goindwal Sahib Power Plant (GVK Group) where fixed charges are to be paid to these three plants even if the state does not require power.

The government pays Rs 8 per unit to the power plants, compared with say, Delhi at Rs 3 per unit and Haryana at Rs 2.50 per unit.

Just the fixed charges to these plants would dwarf the charges being demanded off the nascent solar sector in the state.

Any give in the Punjab case will not only be a another blow to the sanctity of contracts but also open to floodgates for every other state to demand the same. If states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan which have significant solar installations today, demand the same, then we might as well say goodbye to our solar ambitions for a few years.

We find it incredible that a proposal like this actually passed through various levels and was floated. It reeks of continuing resistance on the part of discoms, when it comes to opening up for renewable energy options. That, we believe is an issue well worth understanding too. Because it flies in the face of all logic and correctness.

The MNRE, which has under Shri R.K Singh, been extremely energetic in its push for renewable energy, has not yet responded to this latest assault on the sector.

OPINION

100 Percent Carbon Free by 2035. The Democrat Offer For Renewable energy

Perhaps the least talked about, but most significant promises being talked up as the US presidential elections campaign warms up is the democrat push for 100 percent carbon free power production by 2035. Complimented by a 2 trillion dollar promise from Jow Biden for green energy.

The plan easily overshadows comparable targets for all other countries in the G20, and if implemented with even limited success, could change the face of the sector for good.

Because, by bringing forward a deadline that most countries have been placing in 2040 and beyond (2050 and beyond in India’s case), the impact of the US moving faster will be felt everywhere.

Laid out by the Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s task force, the climate-change mitigation recommendations, call for carbon-free power production by 2035, netzero emissions for new buildings by 2030 and accelerated adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

The task force has been chaired by former Secretary of State John Kerry, who led the Obama administration’s negotiations at the Paris climate summit, co-chaired along with Representative Alexandria OcasioCortez, a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal resolution. Varshini Prakash, co-founder and executive director of the youth activist group Sunrise Movement, also participated.

In doing so, the plan echoes voices across the world now, that a recovery from the Covid Crisis needs to be built around a greener economy. The US, with its strong federal structure does offer its own share of challenges and opportunities. While a market driven regime has ensured high capital availability and innovation, entrenched interests have also slowed down progress. Despite that, many states, including powerful trend setters like California and New York, have moved on their own with policy changes that have already ensured the US can make a big move now.

Notably, this plan does not dismiss nuclear power, which supplies almost 20 percent of US power right now. That will go some way to support targets. The targets themselves appear to be not as impossible as it would appear, as studies have increasingly begun to show that the rise of renewables due to lower prices, and the decline of coal at a faster pace than anticipated can bring change much faster.

For wind and solar power, meeting these targets would mean doubling up the rate of capacity additions seen in the past 3 years, right through the 2020s, eventually adding at thrice the level right now by the time 2030 turns up. That sounds a lot like India’s own plan for renewable capacity addition,

though India has clearly been struggling to ramp up for the past 2 years now.

Many states have launched into solar rooftop plans, with subsidies for storage as well, that has pushed solar capacity additions recently.

On top of that, the corporate sector has also moved to offset their own carbon emissions by shifting to renewable energy, with some like Google even investing into the sector for the returns now.

Besides legacy nuclear power, even more efficient and safer nuclear in development, and expected reduction in energy storage costs means that the higher share of solar and wind could be a lot more viable than it is currently.

In contrast, the Republican presidency under Donald Trump has been a very reluctant votary of a green grid. Not only is the party seen to be too close to oil energy majors, it has also not earned any goodwill by going slow on supporting electric vehicles and related technologies. Of course, that doesn’t man the Republicans cannot switch to green mode. If they do, it will probably be a good thing, as they have usually been better at allowing market forces free rein.

With even the democrat plan counting on the private sector to set up the clean energy infrastructure that will need to be built, the only issue remains the immediate viability of some of those investments.

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FINANCE UPDATES

NLC India, CIL Form JV to CoDevelop 5 GW Solar & Thermal Assets

Navratna mining and thermal power genco NLC India has announced that it has signed a pact with state-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) to form a joint venture (JV) to develop 5,000 megawatts (5 GW) of solar and thermal power assets across the country.

The equity participation in the proposed JV between Coal India Ltd (CIL) and NLC India will be in the ratio of 50:50, NLC India said in a regulatory filing.

“This JV company marks a new era in the power sector with the synergy and expertise of two central public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Coal,” the company said. It was in November 2019, when the two firms had first indicated that they would be coming together to form a JV for Solar Power Generation of 3,000 MW and Thermal Power Projects of 2,000 MW capacity. Binay Dayal, Director (Tech) CIL had then signed the MoU on behalf of CIL while N N Maheswar Rao, Director, Technical (Projects & Planning) inked the pact on behalf of NLCIL. The MoU was signed as a consequence of CIL being tasked to become a Net Zero energy company by the Ministry of Coal, a move that entails the company to generate 3,000 MW of solar power. The MoU also extends for 2,000MW of thermal power generation across CIL’s subsidiaries. Solar power projects will be set up in the identified barren and reclaimed free land of CIL and also across the country where land is available, requiring around 15,000 acres.

The estimated cost for CIL’s solar power generation is pegged at Rs. 12,000 Crores.

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bp Commits USD 70 Million in India’s Green Growth Equity Fund Multinational oil and gas company – bp, has announced that it intends to invest USD 70 million into the Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF) in India. The fund, established in 2018, is focused on identifying, investing and supporting growth in zero carbon and low carbon energy solutions in the country.

With a commitment of USD 70 million, bp will, upon investment later this year, become a limited partner in GGEF and have representation on its advisory committee, as well as the right to co-invest in projects alongside GGEF. GGEF already includes investments from the Government of India, through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), and the UK Government, through the Department for International Development (DfID). It expects to reach about USD 700 million commitment at the final close and grow

further through leveraged capital options.

Dev Sanyal, bp group’s executive vice president for gas and low carbon energy said “India is committed to the energy transition and pursuing a range of low carbon options for the future. bp is equally committed to reimagining energy in India. Our investment in GGEF is aligned with our strategy of investing in integrated low carbon energy using innovative partnerships and business models. It provides a unique platform for bp to accelerate its ambition in India and to co-invest in a variety of zero and low carbon energy solutions in the country.”

Earlier this year, bp announced its ambition to become a net-zero company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world get to net zero.

As part of this ambition, one of its 10 aims is to increase the proportion of investments into non-oil and gas businesses.

Tata Power Board Approves Rs 2600 Cr Equity Raise, InvIT for RE Business The Board of Directors of Tata Power has approved the issuance of 49,05,66,037 Equity shares on a preferential basis to Tata Sons for an aggregate consideration of Rs 2,600 crore. The issue price for the Equity shares has been fixed at Rs 53 per Equity share representing a 15 percent premium to the stock’s market price on the day of the announcement..

On completion, Tata Sons’ shareholding will increase from 35.27 percent to 45.21 percent on the allotment of Equity shares pursuant to the preferential issue. Consequently, Tata Group’s shareholding will increase from 37.22 percent to 46.86 percent.

The company has announced that it is working on a strategic turnaround plan to strengthen the fundamentals of the Company through a mix of divestment and business restructuring that will deleverage the balance sheet and improve the capital structure of the Company. These actions are expected to improve the fundamentals and lead to an improvement in long term shareholder value.

The long-term strategic plan involves

reducing debt thereby strengthening the balance sheet and improving overall return metrics through: a) Divestment of non-core and certain overseas investments; b) Restructuring of some of its businesses to unlock value and simplify the structure of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Consequent to this, the Company has decided to pursue setting up of InvIT for its renewables business; and c) Raising of equity to reduce unsustainable debt in Tata Power and/or its subsidiaries.

FINANCE UPDATES

Italy’s ENEL Ropes In Norway’s Norfund For India Foray Rome – based Enel SpA, which recently won its first big solar energy tender in India, announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary firm Enel Green Power has signed an agreement with the Norwegian Investment Fund (Norfund) to back its renewable projects in India. Both firms will share in the costs of establishing the projects in India. According to Antonio Cammisecra, chief executive of Enel Green Power, the backing would support Enel Green Power’s plans to expand its footprint in India and help the parent firm diversify and decarbonise at the same time.

“For Norfund, the partnership represents an opportunity to play a role in providing much needed clean energy in an important market together with a world-class industrial partner,” said Tellef Thorleifsson, CEO of Norfund. “India has ambitious targets to increase the penetration of renewables,

and there is a great need for more capital combined with technical expertise to realize them. By partnering with an experienced company like Enel Green Power, we believe we can contribute to both create jobs and promote the transition to renewables.”

The deal underscores the advantage most of the foreign developers have when they move into a new market in a big way, especially with access to funding. Norfund in this case is open to equity participation too in projects with Enel, as we understand it.

For the $89 billion Enel, which has a presence in 30 countries, besides its national energy firm status in Italy, the push towards green power began earlier than most, with Enel Green Power set up in 2008 itself.

Today, the firm is a global leader with a managed capacity of over 46 GW across a generation mix that includes wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower

L&T Infra Finance Closes $100 Million ECB Loan From AIIB L&T Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (LTIF) has received the first tranche of 50 million dollars of the total 100 million external commercial borrowing loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral development bank that invests in sustainable infrastructure.

The development marks AIIB’s first loan to a non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India. The loan proceeds will be used to on-lend to large and mid-scale wind and solar power infrastructure projects in India.

LTIF’s collaboration with AIIB will also help the company bolster its environmental and social capabilities, which will enable it to tap the international market for green finance, in the future. The proposed financing supports AIIB’s sustainable energy for Asia strategy and strategy on mobilising private capital for infrastructure. L&T Infrastructure Finance is a leading arranger and financier of renewable energy in India.

With the closure of this financing deal with AIIB, LTIF has further diversified its long-term funding sources. “Investments

from an organisation like AIIB, that follows a stringent due diligence process of the company’s capacity, viability, past performance and regulatory compliances before any investments, reiterates our commitment to green project financing,” said Dinanath Dubhashi, Managing Director and CEO of L&T Finance Holdings.

“Our lending to clean energy goes beyond the actual book and we have today built an ecosystem for all stakeholders to be a part of the green energy initiative. We firmly believe that renewable power holds great potential in fighting the dual challenge of climate change and the ever-growing demand for energy,” he said in a statement.

Suzlon Completes Debt Restructuring With Rs 392 Crore Infusion

Indian wind energy major Suzlon has announced that it has successfully completed its debt restructuring, following a cash infusion of Rs 392 crore by its key promoters and shareholders. In May, the group had announced that it had got a new life after its shareholders had approved its debt restructuring plan, helping it get back into business again. The Pune-based company had initiated the process of the postal ballot for seeking approval of its shareholders by way of ordinary and special resolutions on April 18, 2020, as it had been working for a comprehensive restructuring exercise with an aim to reduce its debt obligations. Tulsi Tanti, Founder and CMD, Suzlon Group, said “the consortium of lenders led by State Bank of India and the company have worked together to protect the interests of all the stakeholders involved, thereby protecting the Indian Wind Energy sector, saving thousands of direct and indirect jobs, ensuring the survival of a large number of MSME vendors and protecting ~13 GW of operating wind energy assets of the nation. “This initiative takes us a step forward to stay Atmanirbhar in the manufacturing of wind turbines and its components, making India the supply chain hub for the global wind sector. We sincerely appreciate the support of all the lenders led

by SBI, FCCB holders, our shareholders, vendors, customers, and Suzlon family for their unwavering trust and confidence in the Company in challenging times and during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.”

The firms’ total net debt stood at Rs 12,906 crore as of December 2019, including outstanding FCCB (bonds) of USD 172 million. This debt-restructuring helped in correcting the capital structure of the company and reduce the interest burden substantially.

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FINANCE UPDATES

Sunrun to Acquire Vivint Solar for Enterprise Value of $3.2 Billion Sunrun, a leading provider of residential solar, battery storage and energy services, and Vivint Solar, a leading full-service residential solar provider in the United States, have announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sunrun will acquire Vivint Solar in an all-stock transaction, pursuant to which each share of Vivint Solar common stock will be exchanged for 0.55 shares of Sunrun common stock, representing a combined Enterprise Value of USD 9.2 billion based on the closing price of Sunrun’s shares on July 6, 2020.

Vivint Solar stockholders are expected to own approximately 36 percent and Sunrun stockholders are expected to own approximately 64 percent of the fully diluted shares of the combined company. The exchange ratio implies a 10 percent premium for Vivint Solar shares based on closing prices on July 6, 2020, and a 15 percent premium to the exchange ratio implied by the three-month volume-weighted average price of Vivint Solar and Sunrun shares. “Americans want clean and resilient energy. Vivint Solar adds an important and high-quality sales channel that enables our combined company to reach more households and raise awareness about the benefits of home solar and batteries,” said Lynn Jurich, Sunrun’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder. “This transaction will increase our scale and grow our energy services network to help replace centralised, polluting power plants and accelerate the transition to a 100 percent clean energy future. We admire Vivint Solar and its employees, and look forward to working together as we integrate the two companies.”

Residential solar has reached only 3 percent penetration in the United States today and yet surveys show nearly 9 out of 10 people in the United States favour expanding the use of solar power. The acquisition of Vivint Solar adds a complementary direct-tohome sales channel to Sunrun’s platform, increasing our reach and capabilities in a growing market.

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CleanMax Receives Financing From GCPF for Southeast Asia Expansion The Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) has announced the closure of a transaction, which will enable Indian commercial and industrial (C&I) solar leader CleanMax to expand its operations into Southeast Asia, targeting Thailand as its first new market. GCPF is set to invest USD 10 million in the solar firm.

With a total facility size of USD 10 million, of which USD 5 million is already committed, CleanMax has engaged solid off-takers, including a 3.5 MW rooftop solar plant for a leading multi-billion dollar conglomerate.

As the biggest C&I solar player in India and the UAE, the firm has completed over 500 projects with over 150 corporate clients and has an operating capacity of over 600 MW, with another 200 MW expected to be built over the next 12 months.

As per the joint press statement, Thailand

represents a great opportunity for CleanMax to expand its footprint into Southeast Asia, as the country has a large commercial and industrial base and a mostly untapped C&I solar market. And as the C&I consumers in Thailand are generally charged the highest grid electricity tariffs, they are expected to be the biggest adopters of decentralized solar solutions in the next few years as a cheaper alternative.

Nikunj Ghodawat, CFO of CleanMax said, “Corporates are quickly adopting renewables sourcing at scale to achieve the twin benefits of cost savings and carbon footprint reduction. We are excited to be be partnering with a reputed global financier in the Global Climate Partnership Fund with whose support we are able to expand our offerings into the Southeast Asian markets starting with Thailand.”

IFC, EBRD, and EU to Support First Solar Project in Armenia The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the European Union (EU) have signed on to support the development of the first utility-scale solar power plant in Armenia, which is also the first for the Caucasus. The 55-megawatt (MW) power plant facility, located in Mets Masrik municipality, Gegharkunik Province, will boost Armenia’s supply of renewable energy and will help the country reduce its reliance on imported fuels.

The plant is being developed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, a global leader in utility-scale renewable energy projects. The company will receive a USD 35.4 million debt financing package consisting of two USD 17.7 million long-term loans, one each from IFC and the EBRD. The project will also receive a EUR 3 million investment grant from the European Union, mobilised by the EBRD. The IFC financing package includes a USD 8.9 million loan from IFC’s own account and a USD 8.9 million loan from the

Finland-IFC Blended Finance for Climate Program.

The Masrik solar plant is expected to generate more than 128 gigawatthours (GWh) of electricity annually at a competitive tariff of ȼ4.19 per kilowatt-hour.

The electricity will be sold under a power purchase agreement to Electricity Networks of Armenia, a utility responsible for the distribution of electricity. The project will displace the release of 40,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. Right now, nearly 70 percent of Armenia’s electricity generation depends on imported fossil fuels.

PRODUCTS Greenlight Planet Sun King Pro 400 Solar Lantern Product Brief: Greenlight Planet’s Sun King Pro 400 is a more powerful version of the company’s existing best-selling solar lamps, boasting dramatic increases in brightness and phone-charging capacity, at lower cost, while retaining popular elements like their famously indestructible design.

Product Feature: Key features include higher capacity batteries and USB phone charging ports, along with significantly larger 5.5 Watt polycrystalline solar panels.

Despite its high performance and premium build quality, the product comes at a remarkably affordable price. Drop-proof, UV-stable, IP65 rated polycarbonate & ABS casing.

Application: Home lighting system Product Benefits: Shines at 40 times the brightness of kerosene (400 lumens) for 5 hours, with 100 hours at its lowest brightness setting after a single day of charge.

It features a long-lasting battery and the iconic, durable design. Active battery management automatically switches to low power when battery is running low, giving user 5 hours of additional light.

Availability: Available for purchase on the firms’ website and leading e-commerce websites.

Texas Instruments Buck Boost Battery Charger IC Product Brief: Texas InInstruments (TI) has recently introduced the industry’s smallest buck-boost battery charger integrated circuits, which integrate power-path management for maximum power density and universal and fast charging at up to 97% efficiency.

Product Features: The BQ25790 and BQ25792 support efficient charging and 10 times lower quiescent current through USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery (PD) ports in small personal electronics, portable medical devices and building automation applications.

Application: Buck-boost battery charger integrated circuits Product Benefits: The BQ25790 and BQ25792 offer the flexibility to charge batteries with one to four cells in a series and up to 5 A of charging current across the full input-voltage range (3.6 V to 24 V) for USB Type-C and USB PD applications. The chargers’ integrated dual-input selector supports multiple power sources, including wireless, USB, barrel jack and solar charging, while delivering fast charging – 97% efficiency at 30 W. Availability: Available for purchase on the firms’ website and leading e-commerce websites

ZOOOK ZB-Solar Muse Solar Powered Bluetooth Speaker Product Brief: The ZB Solar Muse speaker is brought to India by French company Zoook. The portable speaker boasts of 3D surround sound and is equipped with a solar panel which can charge its batteries.

Product Features: Zoook’s ZB solar muse is shockproof, dust-proof and waterproof. The device comes with a built-in flashlight and a mic for handling calls. It is also equipped with an LED display.

Application: All-weather portable speaker Benefits: The wireless Bluetooth speaker requires no power plug-in’s or adaptors as it can deliver audio by absorbing solar energy. The speaker has integrated solar panels to charge the lithium battery, which lasts about 30 hours on a single charge.

Availability: Available for purchase on the firms’ website and leading e-commerce websites. Retails for Rs 5000, can be found on discounts.

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PRODUCTS Solgaard Lifepack Solar 2.0 Product Brief: Offering security, functionality and practicality, the newly re-engineered Solgaard Lifepack Solar 2.0 is perfect for commuters and travellers alike. The bag is designed for flawless integration with the second series of Solgaard Solarbanks.

Product Features: The bags are engineered in a way that allows the Solarbanks to fit inside easily and seamlessly. The backpack also includes an upgraded anti-theft lock allowing the backpack to be secured to any fixed object while also locking it shut.

Application: Backpack Product Benefits: The bag comes in two variants, the first with the firms’ premium solar bank with the integrated solar panel, which can be charged via USB or Solar, storing up to five phone charges. Or the upgraded 3-in-1 device featuring Bluetooth speakers, a power bank, and solar unit – storing up to five phone charges while allowing for 96 hours of bassfilled music playback when full.

Availability: Available for purchase on the firms’ website and leading e-commerce websites. Retails for ~ Rs 8000.

Garmin Solar Charging Smart Watches Product Brief: Garmin International has recently announced the expansion of its solar charging technology to its Instinct, fēnix 6 and 6S, and tactix Delta adventure smartwatches.

Product Features: Building on the success of Garmin’s first solar charging adventure watch, the fēnix 6X - Pro Solar, these new solar editions allow customers to “Do What They Love Longer” through significantly increased battery life and new purposebuilt functionality including surf, mountain biking and climbing activities.

Application: Smart watches Product Benefits: Garmin’s multisport GPS watches are the choice for athletes and adventurers. Using its solar capabilities, the new Instinct, fēnix 6 and 6S, and tactix Delta solar watches provide extraordinary battery life and give customers extra reliability. In addition to the solar charging capabilities, these editions are full of updated and unique features. From new camouflage design patterns to surfing activity profiles.

Availability: Available for purchase on the firms’ website and leading e-commerce websites.

d.light S3 Solar Lamp Product Brief: The d.light S3 is the next generation of one of the best-selling solar lanterns the S2. This easy-to-use solar-powered light enables people without regular access to energy in developing worlds with an affordable and reliable light source.

Product Features: The S3 comes with an integrated solar panel that charges the battery pack that powers the lamp. The battery can power the lamp for 12 hours on a single charge. The product boasts of a 60,000-hour life cycle and lifetime well over 5 years (inclusive of the battery). The S3 has two brightness settings, compared to just one on the previous generation S2. A dimmer setting, on which it will run for as long as 12 hours; and a brighter setting (40 lumens) at which it will run for 4 hours.

Application: Home Lighting System Product Benefits: The tough and sturdy design of the lamp is extremely lightweight and also provides resistance to extreme weather conditions. The adjustable and portable lamp does not require maintenance and can be placed on a table, hung from a wall, and even used outdoors.

Availability: The product currently retails for Rs 550 on the company’s official website and a few select e-commerce websites.

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OPPORTUNITIES Sustainability Manager - Enel India Enel Green Power is part of Enel’s Group, and manages all the generation from renewable sources in Enel’s world countries. It wants to build a new way of living energy, creating sustainable development and making clean energy accessible to all. The company is looking for a candidate for the position of Sustainability Manager for Enel Green Power India.

Job Location: Bengaluru Job Description: • Creation of structures and processes to facilitate Sustainability within the organization • Development of ideas and Sustainability projects • Promotion a Sustainability culture, persuading and disseminating the necessary knowledge amongst colleagues • Development and implementation of sustainability projects through the study of the social, economic and environmental contexts where we operate • Working with and integrating our activities with local communities and cultures through engagement and maintenance of relations with local stakeholders (communities, companies, institutions, etc); • Development and application of our sustainability models through a continuous coordination and engagement with other functions and external stakeholders.

• Budget management and processes and procedures compliance.

• Conducting financial viability analysis; • Preparing financial models and business models for Energy Management Centers in the clusters.

Eligibility Criteria: • A / ICWA / M.B. A (Finance) • Any Specialisation in financial studies • Minimum 10 years of industrial experience • Minimum 10 years of experience of working in solar sector and conducting economic and financial analysis of such projects • In depth experience in structuring and reaching financial close in renewable energy transactions Apply here: https://bit.ly/2COoKZ9

Sr. Associate (Financial Modelling in RE Consulting) - SSJ Solutions SSJ Solutions is seeking to hire a Sr. Associate (Financial Modelling in Renewable Energy Consulting) for its client which as it claims is a mission driven Sustainability Insight, Innovation & Capital Advisory Firm. And amongst the largest boutique Sustainability advisory firms in Asia. They work with businesses, investors, industry groups as well as thought leaders to continually generate market insight and catalyse change.

Job Location: Delhi

Job Description: • Connecting the dots to create insight and aim to generate new intellectual property. Be able to conduct comparative analysis and benchmarking.

Eligibility Criteria: • End-to-end delivery responsibility for engagements that • Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Sustainability, includes: (a) Monitoring the timely and cost-effective Environmental or equivalent management of client projects (tracking deliverables, timelines, • Skilled in project management, strategic thinking and leadership. and progress against goals) and managing and coaching • Experience in social and environmental analysis junior team members; (b) Developing impactful client • Experience in quantitative analysis recommendations and delivering them through world-class written and oral presentations Apply here: https://bit.ly/2E1Ag43 • Undertake relevant field work if necessary, for various projects and provide on ground operational support to company’s Financial Expert (Renewable Energy) - M.R. partners and clients, while coordinating with clients and team Technofin Consultants members in India & across the globe.

• Building on relationships with potential and existing clients and be responsible for the business development in the assigned areas.

• Participating in internal initiatives relating to thought leadership, client service, or team development.

M.R. Technofin Consultants is a leading Infrastructure Consultancy firm, possessing multi-disciplinary consulting capability powered Eligibility Criteria: by its eminent, experienced and qualified professionals. The firm is • A Master’s degree/ MBA and 4 - 6 years of relevant work experience seeking a candidate for the position of financial expert (renewable • Experience and expertise in areas relating to financial models, green energy) to work on identified consulting projects. finance terminology and models, pricing and credit risk models • Hands-on business consulting and /or financial planning Job Location: Mumbai support • A good Understanding of policy and regulatory matters Job Description: pertaining to sustainability matters • To provide related expertise on identified consulting projects (in India and abroad) Apply here: https://bit.ly/3jkbRa7 60 n July 2020 n Saur Energy International

EVENTS THE 15TH ASIASOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INNOVATION EXHIBITION & COOPERATION FORUM website : www.asiasolar.net START DATE : 03-SEP- 2020 END DATE : 04-SEP- 2020

Location : Hangzhou, China Phone : +86 512 53986898

RENEWX 2020 website : www.renewx.in START DATE : 04-SEP-2020 END DATE : 05-SEP-2020

Location : Hyderabad, India Phone : +91 98707 46073

E-mail : intl@pgo-china.com

E-mail : sheetal.rathod@ubm.com

SNEC 14TH (2020) INTERNATIONAL PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION AND SMART ENERGY

6TH SMART CITIES INDIA 2020 EXPO

website : www.snec.org.cn

START DATE : 10-OCT-2020 END DATE : 12-OCT-2020

Location : Shanghai, China Phone : +86 21 33685117

website : www.solarindiaexpo.com START DATE : 20-OCT-2020 END DATE : 22-OCT-2020

E-mail : info@snec.org.cn

E-mail : ravim@eigroup.in

THE 12TH CHINESE RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

PV OPERATIONS USA 2020

website : www.crecexpo.com START DATE : 04-NOV- 2020 END DATE : 06-NOV- 2020

Location : Wuxi, China Phone : +86 510 81827276

Location : New Delhi, India Phone : +91 11 4279 5000

website : events.newenergyupdate.com/pv-usa/ Location : San Diego, USA START DATE : 12-NOV- 2020 Phone : +44 207 4224358 END DATE : 13-NOV- 2020

E-mail : liuyang@crecexpo.com

E-mail : tobias@newenergyupdate.com

RENEWABLE ENERGY INDIA 2020

INTERSOLAR INDIA 2020

website : www.renewableenergyindiaexpo.com Location : Greater Noida, India START DATE : 10-DEC- 2020 Phone : +91 93792 29397 END DATE : 12-DEC- 2020

website : www.intersolar.in START DATE : 15-DEC- 2020 END DATE : 17-DEC- 2020

E-mail : Pankaj.sharma@ubm.com

E-mail : feth@solarpromotion.com

INTERSOLAR NORTH AMERICA 2021

POWERGEN INDIA 2021

website : www.intersolar.us START DATE : 12-JAN-2021 END DATE : 14-JAN-2021 E-mail : ISNAsales@divcom.com

Location : California, USA Phone : +1 207 8425621

website : www.powergen-india.com START DATE : 27-JAN-2021 END DATE : 29-JAN-2021

Location : Mumbai, India Phone : +49 7231 58598206

Location : New Delhi, India Phone : +91 97114 33860

E-mail : clarionenergy@clarionevents.com

SAUR ENERGY www.saurenergy.com

June 2020 | Rs. 200

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

DCP LICENSING NO. F.2(S-29) PRESS/2016 l VOL 4 l ISSUE 10 l TOTAL PAGES 64 l PUBLISHED ON 1ST OF EVERY MONTH

The Many Routes To Growth

RAJAT VERMA Founder Lohum Cleantech

SUNIL BADESRA

Vivek Chaturvedi

Business Head Sungrow (India) Pvt Ltd

Regional Business Director Solar – (India, ME & Africa), DSM

AMPLUS | TATA POWER | GREENKO | JINKO | REC GROUP | GROWATT