Saur Energy Magazine January 2019 by Saur Energy International

CONVERTING SUN POWER TO SOLAR POWER tm

Fast Growing trusted Partner in solar Turnkey Solution Provider in Ground Mount and Rooftop

" TURNKEY SOLUTION PROVIDER SOLAR & POWER" 1111, 11th floor, Unitech Arcadia, South City-2, Sector-49, Gurgoan-122018 Mobile: +91-9871115441 | Landline: Direct (0124)-4377220 Landline Office: (0124)-428990 | pawan@raditeenergy.com | info@raditeenergy.com

SAUR ENERGY

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

INDIA ATTAINS GLOBAL 4TH AND 5TH POSITIONS IN WIND AND SOLAR POWER INSTALLED CAPACITIES

I N T E R N A T I O N A L EDITOR MANAS NANDI manas@meilleurmedia.com DIRECTOR MARKETING PRATEEK KAPOOR prateek@meilleurmedia.com

India and France aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable issues on the ASSOCIATE EDITOR basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity. The technical NILOY BANERJEE cooperation will cover joint research working groups, pilot projects, and capacity building programs, study tour, case niloy@meilleurmedia.com studies and the sharing of experience/expertise. The MoU will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between India SUB EDITOR and France.

MANU TAYAL manu@meilleurmedia.com

The Renewable Energy projects are mostly being implemented in the private sector. As on 30-11- 2018, a SUB EDITOR total capacity of around 73.95 GW has been installed in the country of which 37.84 GW has been added during ANKUR BHARDWAJ the last four and half year. The steps taken by the ankur@meilleurmedia.com Government to support the renewable energy sector, inter-alia, include: fiscal and promotional incentives MANAGER- MEDIA SOLUTION such as capital subsidy, accelerated depreciation, GIRISH MISHRA waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges girish.mishra@meilleurmedia.com and losses, viability gap funding (VGF) and permitting Foreign Direct Investment up to 100 per cent under the automatic route. Also, to ensure cheaper DESIGN HEAD generation of renewable energy, projects are SANDEEP KUMAR awarded through transparent bidding process i.e. through e- reverse auction. The Government has WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER issued standard bidding guidelines to enable JITENDER KUMAR the distribution licensees to procure power at competitive rates in cost effective manner. The FDI data cell of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) compiles and maintains the data of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Equity inflow received in the country. A sum of 3,217 Million US$ is received as FDI in Renewable Energy Sector in India. With this 2019 seems to be a brighter year for the entire Industry. Wish you a very Happy New year ahead!

ManasNandi manas@meilleurmedia.com

WEB PRODUCTION BALVINDER SINGH

SUBSCRIPTIONS KULDEEP subscription@meilleurmedia.com Saur Energy International is printed, published, edited and owned by Manas Nandi and published from 303, 2nd floor, Neelkanth Palace, Plot No- 190, Sant Nagar,East of Kailash, New Delhi- 110065 (INDIA),Printed at Pearl Printers, C-105, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase 1, New Delhi.

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. Cover Image: Created by Creativeart - Freepik.com

CONTENT PAGE

ANDREW HINES Co-Founder CleanMax Solar

VIRAJ GADA

DR. RAHUL WALAWALKAR

IDEF Spokesperson & India Regional Representative | GOGLA

Executive Director | India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA)

BIG TECHNOLOGY TRENDS FOR 2019

POWER DISTRIBUTION SECTOR NEEDS SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND SOON!

POLICY

13 Calif. 1st State to Mandate Solar for New Homes Govt Approves 2nd Phase of Atal Jyoti Yojana

JANUARY 2019

Cabinet Okays India, France Energy Efficiency MoU SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

MARKET

50 Global Warming May DiP Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wind Power Potential France Top Destination for RE Investment in G20

CONTENT PAGE

ASHIT MARU Co-founder MYSUN

GLENN PEARCE OROZ

Director of Policy and Programmes, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

SOLARMAXX CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

COVER STORY

NEW ASPIRATIONS WITH NEW YEAR! PROJECTS

FINANCE

JAKEDA Issues Tender for 5 MW Solar Project in J&K

AfDB Approves ZAR 3Bn for 100MW Solar Proj in SA

MAHAGENCO Floats TWO 50MW Solar Tenders

BlackRock Sells 14 French Solar Projects

Vestas Bags its Largest Wind Energy Order in India

NABARD Inks $100Mn Pact with Green Climate Fund VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

PROJECT UPDATES

MAHAGENCO FLOATS TWO 50MW SOLAR TENDERS The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO) has recently drawn two tenders for grid-connected solar projects of 50 MW each totaling a 100 MW to be developed in the western region of Maharashtra. To be developed under the public private partnership, the solar projects will provide power to the agricultural needs of the various sub-stations in the region. The scope of work includes the design, engineering, manufacture, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the grid-connected solar projects. The successful bidder will have to provide operation and maintenance services for a period of 25 years. The project will be developed at multiple locations on an aggregated basis. The upper tariff for both the tenders has been set to Rs 3.05 kilowatt per hour and the deadline for the bid submission is January 23, 2019. The power company has also invited expression of interests from landowners,

developers and bidders for the development of the solar facility tendered out. Earlier in August, MAHAGENCO had invited tenders to set up 200 MW capacity across Maharashtra, issuing a tender of 50 MW each.

Also in August, MAHAGENCO floated tenders for 110 MW grid Interactive Solar PV power plant which is to be developed at various locations of Tembhu, Tal. Karad, Dist. Satara to cater the load of Tembhu lift irrigation scheme on boot basis.

NTPC INVITES BIDS FOR 100 MW FLOATING SOLAR PROJ

MNRE TO ADD MASSIVE 23 GW SOLAR PROJECT IN J&K

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India’s largest power generator has invited bids for the development of a 100 MW Floating Solar PV Project at NTPC’s thermal power plant in Ramagundam, Telangana. The closing date for the sale of tender document is January 10, 2019. The tender is a part of NTPC’s effort to ramp up its solar capacity which is currently at 870 MW. Yesterday NTPC issued a similar tender for a 25 MW floating solar project at NTPC’s site in Andhra Pradesh. The government has set a target for installing 175 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from Biomass and 5 GW from Small Hydro power.

In a massive solar push, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced its plans for 23 GW of solar projects in Leh and Ladakh regions of Jammu & Kashmir. Solar Energy Corporation of India which is implementing the project, will tender 5000 MW in Leh district and 2500 MW in Kargil district in the Phase-1 of the project. The scope of work shall comprise setting up of the Solar PV Projects along with implementation of the entire power evacuation infrastructure (substations along with transmission lines),till the drawl point. A single tender shall be issued for selection of the project developer, who shall be responsible for the setting up of the Solar PV Project along with the power evacuation infrastructure. Tentatively, the projects are planned to be set up in the Pang region in Leh and in the Zangla region in Kargil. Drawl point for the 2500 MW Project is tentatively planned to be located in New Wanpoh and for the 5000 MW capacity, it has been tentatively planned to be located in Hisar. This will be the largest project in terms of capacity so far. Last year, SECI had issues tenders for a 10 GW floating solar project and a 20 GW integrated solar manufacturing facility.

08 JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

PROJECT UPDATES

JAKEDA ISSUES TENDER FOR 5 MW SOLAR PROJECT IN J&K Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) has invited bids for supply, installation and commissioning of grid interactive rooftop solar PV power plants of 5 MW capacity under CAPEX model. The last date for the submission of bids is January 14, 2019. The time allotted to finish the project is 1 year from the date of issuance of the award. The solar rooftop project is open for residential, institutional and social sector consumers of Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department in Jammu and Kashmir Regions of the State. The bidder will also have to oblige with a Comprehensive Maintenance Contract for a tenure of five years. The scope of work as described in the tender document include; providing an end-to-end solution for their identified locations including but not limited to design, supply and installation of the required Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant. The project developers have to ensure planning and smooth execution of the project as per the time schedule mentioned in the work order/NIT. The eligibility criteria specifies that the bidder should have an installed 100 KW

aggregate capacity under off-grid/ grid-connected-mode 2013 onwards. The financial criteria mandates a minimum aggregate turnover of Rs 3 crore for the last three years. For J&K subjects, the financial criteria is Rs 50 Lakh.

Earlier, Solar Energy Corporation of India had announced projects with a total capacity of massive 23 GW in the Kargil and Leh region of Jammu and Kashmir. SECI will be issuing the tender for 2.5 GW out of the 23 GW lot on December 31, 2018.

VESTAS BAGS ITS LARGEST WIND ENERGY ORDER IN INDIA Danish Wind energy mammoth Vestas has bagged its largest order till date in India for a 252 MW wind energy project in Tamil Nadu. The order is Vestas’ largest order to date in India and placed by Vivid Solaire Energy a subsidiary of Engie, and was awarded as part of the national level wind auctions organised by Solar Energy Corporation of India, the company said. The project will be located in Thattaparai in Tuticorin district in the Tamil Nadu state and includes delivery, installation and commissioning of 126 V120-2.0 MW turbines, as well as the project’s civil and electrical work, it added. The turbines will be serviced by Vestas under a 10-year full scope Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service

agreement as well as a Vestas Online Business SCADA solution. “We have a long history of working with Vestas in multiple geographies, and remain confident that Vestas will be

a strong, reliable and value-additive partner in our journey towards achieving our renewables ambitions in India”, said Malcolm Wrigley, Country Manager, Engie India. “With this EPC project in India, we underline the broad range of capabilities Vestas can offer to our customers in the Indian market. Our extensive EPC project management experience and ability to develop sitespecific solutions to compete in auctions have been key factors in securing this order”, Clive Turton, President of Vestas Asia Pacific said. Turbine delivery is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2019, while commissioning is expected in the third and fourth quarter of 2019.

VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

PROJECT UPDATES

NHPC FLOATS 32 MW SOLAR PROJECT TENDER IN UP National Hydroelectric Power Corporation has recently issued a tender for Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 32 MW grid connected solar PV project to be developed in Uttar Pradesh. The deadline for the submission of the bid is January 29, 2019 and the project will be developed on a turnkey basis. The time allotted to successfully complete the project is 12 months from the date awarded. The scope of work, as mentioned in the tender notification is design, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, quality assurance, testing, insurance, supply, installation, commissioning, and comprehensive operation and maintenance of the project for a period of 10 years. The tender document further mentions that the successful bidder will also have to develop a 132 kV power evacuation equipment at village Parasan, Kalpi, in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh. The tender has been floated by NHPC for and on behalf of Bundelkhand Saur Urja, a Joint venture of NHPC and Uttar Pradesh

New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) In March this year NHPC had commissioned a 50 MW solar PV grid connected project in the state of Tamil Nadu. In June last year, the company had awarded the EPC contract for the development of this project to Larson & Tubro for an amount of Rs 287.48 crore with comprehensive operation and

maintenance for 10 years. NHPC, a Govt. of India Enterprise, was incorporated in the year 1975 with an objective to plan, promote and organise an integrated and efficient development of hydroelectric power in all aspects. Later on, NHPC expanded its objects to include development of power in all its aspects through conventional and nonconventional sources in India and abroad.

NEW BRAUNFELS UTILITIES INKS NTPC WINS 85MW IN UPNEDA’S NEW SUPER-LOW PPA IN US 550 MW SOLAR TENDER

JANUARY 2019

New Braunfels Utilities has signed one of the lowest power purchase agreement in the United States and the lowest in the state of Texas. A municipally owned utility in Texas, New Braunfels Utilities has signed a 15 year contract with Engie-affiliated Long Draw Solar for USD 25 per megawatt-hour. The 255 MW Long Draw project is projected to come online in 2020 and will be located in West Texas. Several Media companies previously have reported about the PPAs which rival New Braunfels. Texas is among the top 10 states in the US for solar energy in terms of existing capacity and the one in development. With an aim to keep prices low for its customers, New Braunfels is investing heavily in projects. According to the CEO of New Braunfels, Ian Taylor, the PPA “will allow NBU to maintain one of the lowest retail electric rates in the country.” “This announcement shows that the cost of utility PV is still dropping,” said Smith. “Despite tariffs, we have seen solar become even more competitive with natural gas and other electric generating resources,” Said Colin Smith, a senior solar analyst at Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables With the addition of this Long Draw Solar’s project, renewable energy will account for 40% of New Braunfels portfolio. SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

NTPC, India’s largest energy conglomerate, has won 85 MW of solar capacities under Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency’s (UPNEDA’s) 550 MW solar tender. The company has won the tender for grid-connected solar projects in the reverse auction held on December 3, 2018 for 25 years. “NTPC has participated for 85 MW solar capacities and has won the entire capacity bid by it, at a levelised tariff of Rs 3.02/unit, applicable for 25 years,” the company said in a regulatory filing. The company further added that, “The above 85 MW of solar projects shall be set up by NTPC and shall add to the installed capacity of NTPC.” Besides, the President of India has re-appointed Dr. Gauri Trivedi, Ex-IAS Officer, as Independent Director (Non-Official Independent Director) on the board of NTPC for a period of one year with effect from the date of completion of her existing tenure, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The board has, through circular resolution, re-appointed Dr. Gauri Trivedi as Independent Director (Non-Official Independent Director) on the board of NTPC w.e.f. November 16, 2018.

PROJECT UPDATES

NTPC ISSUES 25 MW FLOATING SB ENERGY, ADANI GREEN WIN SOLAR TENDER IN AP 840MW AT SECI’S AUCTION National Thermal Power Corporation has issued a tender for the development of 25 MW Floating Solar PV Project at NTPC Simhadri in Andhra Pradesh. The scope of work includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packing and forwarding, transportation, unloading storage, installation, testing and commissioning of Solar Photo Voltaic Plant based on Open category PV modules and cells. Apart from this, the tender document mentions a host of tasks to be performed by the successful bidder. The final date for the submission of bid is January 22, 2019 and the reverse auction will take place at a later date to be notified. Prospective bidders are required to provide GSTIN number at the time of purchase of bidding documents, the tender document mentions. A few days ago the government had reduced the capacity of a solar project to be developed by NTPC from 15 GW to a meager 3 MW. “Since the solar power price has fallen recently, it is not proposed to take up Tranche II (5GW) and III (7GW),” New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh had said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The government has set a target for installing 175 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from Biomass and 5 GW from Small Hydro power.

In the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI’s) first windsolar hybrid auction of 1,200 MW capacity, SoftBank-backed SB Energy and Adani Green Energy won 450 MW and 390 MW respectively. Further, SB Energy has won the project at Rs 2.67 per unit of electricity generated while Adani Green Energy won at Rs 2.69 per unit at the auction. According to an Executive from the SECI, “This is a good price for the first time. Perhaps since it is so because it is the initial estimate. With more optimisation comes competition. It is also dependent on individual efficiencies of panels of turbines, so tariffs will keep falling.” These were the only two developers who put in bids in the auction, leaving the remaining 360 MW with no takers. This is the second time SECI had put this bid. In the first attempt in May, there were no bidders at all. It was scaled down from 2,500 MW to 1,200 MW. Hybrid power is one in which solar and wind power is generated together by placing solar modules and wind turbines alongside each other. This reduces the requirement of land and transmission facilities, and hence SECI is keen to encourage it. Analysts though have doubts about the process. “This is a face saving exercise—to run an auction between two people for two projects is not really an auction in a sense,” said Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director at solar consultancy Bridge To India.

SUZLON BAGS 50.4 MW TURBINE ORDER FROM ATRIA POWER

JANUARY 2019

Suzlon group has secured 50.4 MW order from Bengaluru-based Atria Power to supply wind turbines for a project in Tamil Nadu. Suzlon will install 12 units of S111-140m and 12 units of S120-140m wind turbine generators (WTGs) with a Hybrid Lattice Tubular (HLT) tower, with rated capacity of 2.1 MW each, Suzlon said. The project is located in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu and is in its advanced stage. The project will be completed by the first half of 2020 Suzlon will execute the project on turnkey basis and will also provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services, the company statement said. Sunder Raju, Director, Atria Brindavan Power said, “ The project will further our footprint in Tamil Nadu’s commercial and industrial (C&I) energy space. We are simultaneously working on converting this plant into a Wind-Solar PV hybrid plant to provide a more reliable energy supply to our customers. We are pleased to partner with Suzlon, given their technologically advanced products, EPC capabilities, operations and maintenance services.” J.P. Chalasani, Group CEO, Suzlon, said, “We are glad to partner with Atria Power and look forward to forge a solid SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

partnership with this maiden venture. We believe the synergy in our common resolve towards India’s energy security brought us together to partner for this project. We are seeing an increased interest from all customer segments to invest in renewable energy.”

POLICY UPDATES

CALIF. 1ST STATE TO MANDATE SOLAR FOR NEW HOMES California became the first state in the nation to require homes built in 2020 and later be solar powered, following a vote by the Building Standards Commission. The unanimous action finalizes a previous vote by the Energy Commission and fulfills a decade-old goal to make the state reliant on cleaner energy. Commenting on the development, a Structural Engineer and one of six building standards Commissioners, Kent Sasaki said, “These provisions really are historic and will be a beacon of light for the rest of the country.” “(It’s) the beginning of substantial improvement in how we produce energy and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels,” Sasaki added. While nobody spoke in opposition this time, the commission received about 300 letters opposing the mandate because of the added cost, the Orange County Register reported. Energy officials estimated the provisions will add USD 10,000 to the cost of building a single-family home — about USD 8,400 from adding solar and about USD 1,500 for making homes more energy-efficient. But those costs would be offset by lower utility bills over the 30-year lifespan of the solar panels, officials said. One commission member worried the mandate would make it harder for California wildfire victims to rebuild. But

supporters assured him that won’t be a problem, according to the newspaper. Homeowners will have two options that eliminate upfront costs of adding solar: leasing the solar panels or signing a power purchase agreement that pays for the electricity without buying the panels, said Drew Bohan, executive director of the energy commission. One solar-industry representative said the net savings from adding solar power will be around USD 40 a month or nearly USD 500 a year.

“These standards won’t necessarily make homes more expensive to buy. What they will do is save money on utility costs,” said Pierre Delforge, a Senior Scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “This is not only the right thing to do for the climate, it is financially smart.” Homebuilders have been preparing for years to meet a proposed requirement that all new homes be “net-zero,” meaning they would produce enough solar power to offset all electricity and natural gas consumed over the course of a year.

GOVT APPROVES 2ND PHASE OF ATAL JYOTI YOJANA The President has given its assent to launch the Phase-II of the ‘Atal Jyoti Yojana’ (AJAY) to be implemented in the year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Sanction has also been accorded for meeting the pending liabilities of Rs 50 crore accrued during the first phase of AJAY, the Ministry of New and Renewable energy said. Phase-II of AJAY will cover installation of 3,04,500 solar street lights (SSL) of 12 W capacity as per the MNRE specification. 75% of the cost will come through the MNRE budget and rest 25% will be provided from MPLAD funds. By the scheme closing date March 31, 2018, sanctions from MPLAD funds were received for the installation of 1.45 lakh solar street light in 96 constituencies. It further stated that, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd will be the implementing agency for the Phase-II of the AJAY scheme. The total cost for implementation of Phase-II is budgeted to Rs 761 crore out of which Rs 571 crore will be provided by the MNRE and Rs 190 crore will be from

MPLAD funds. The timeline specified for the project is one year from the date of notification of the scheme. NISE will be the agency responsible for providing the technical support and helping EESL in preparing quality and construction standards of the project, it added. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

POLICY UPDATES

CABINET OKAYS INDIA, FRANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY MOU The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been apprised of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and France in the field of energy efficiency / energy conservation. The Memorandum of Understanding was inked on October 17, 2018. The Cabinet said in a statement that, the MoU is a Science and Technology agreement, which involves knowledge exchange and cooperation in the nature of technical assistance only. Further, this MoU between the two countries is expected to take forward information exchange on policies, programmes and technologies relating to enhanced energy efficiency and demand side management. Moreover, the agreement will further lead to awareness creation on energy efficiency, development of tools for collection, use and analysis of

CO2Â emissions and GHG data for tracking global emissions for INDC. Besides, it will promote Research and Development (R&D), and demonstration

of energy efficient technologies, development of sustainable mobility with specific focus on electric transport, it added.

MNRE AGAIN AMENDS GUIDELINES FOR VGF

MNRE MANDATES DOMESTIC PRODUCTS PROCUREMENT

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has yet again amended the guidelines which it issued earlier regarding setting up of solar parks of more than 2 GW of capacity with viability gap funding (VGF). According to the amendment of New and Renewable Energy Ministry, in case of a delay in land allotment or if there is a delay in establishing connectivity to the grid, then the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), will have the autonomy and the authority to extend the date of financial closure and the date of commissioning without having any financial implication. Earlier, SECI had the power to delay the project by three months in such situations and any extension beyond three months had to be approved by the ministry. However, if SECI is the developer of the solar park then the approval has to come from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This is the fourth time the Â VGF scheme has been amended by the renewable energy Ministry. In June, the Ministry struck off a clause which mandated registration with state model agency even for projects implemented by SECI. This was the first time the Ministry had amended the 5 GW solar programs which was launched under the phase four of the National Solar Mission.

Ministry of New and Renewable energy has issued an order mandating that public procurements should encourage Make in India to promote manufacturing and production of goods and services in India with a view to enhancing income and employment. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion had earlier issued a notification in June 2017, (DIPP notification no. P-45021/2/2017-B.E.-11) mandating public procurement should encourage Make in India policy of the Indian government. MNRE implemented this order for all renewable energy projects to be taken up by the government. For wind power projects, apart from civil construction, preference shall be given to domestically manufactured/produced products such as the gear box, blades, rotor, generator, tower, hub, parts of controller, bearing and yaw mechanism components. For off grid solar projects, preference shall be given to domestically manufactured/produced solar street lights, solar home lighting systems, solar power packs/micro grid, solar water pumps, inverter and batteries. For grid connected solar projects, preference shall be given to domestically manufactured/produced solar PV modules and other components needed for a grid connected solar project. The minimum percentage of locally sourced material for wind projects is 80%, while that of off-grid solar projects is 70% and for grid connected solar projects; the minimum requirement for procuring local content is 100% for solar modules and 80% for other products.

JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

POLICY UPDATES

CCEA APPROVES SALE OF GOVT’S 52.63% STAKE IN REC

GST ON RENEWABLE PRODUCTS SLASHED TO 5%

The Cabinet has provided its ‘In Principle’ approval for the strategic sale of the government’s existing 52.63 percent total paid-up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to Power Finance Corporation (PFC). The government said in a notification that, “The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ‘In Principle’ approval for the strategic sale of the Government of India’s existing 52.63% of total paid up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to Power Finance Corporation (PFC) along with transfer of management control.” Moreover, the acquisition intends to achieve integration across the power chain, obtain better synergies, create economies of scale and have enhanced capability to support energy access and energy efficiency by improved capability to finance power sector, it added. It may also allow for cheaper fund raising with increase in bargaining power for the combined entity. Both REC and PFC are Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Power.

Solar Industry is in a state of relief after the GST council clarified that the devices and parts related to renewable energy will be taxed a 5% while the services related to the renewable energy industry will attract a GST of 18%. Prior to this clarification, solar power developers were paying tax at the rate of 18% which had become a sticking point in the industry forcing the delay of many projects. While providing clarity on the confusion, the GST council said that certain disputes have arisen regarding GST rates where some goods which attract 5% tax are being supplied along with service of construction etc and other goods for solar power plant. To resolve the dispute the Council recommended that in all such cases, the 70% of the gross value shall be deemed as the value of supply of said goods attracting 5% rate and the remaining portion (30%) of the aggregate value of such EPC contract shall be deemed as the value of supply of taxable service attracting standard GST rate. However, there is still a confusion about when these new tax rates will become applicable and if these will be applied on existing projects as well.

MNRE ASKS STATE UTILITIES TO ISSUE WIND, SOLAR TENDER Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has instructed state power utilities to issue tenders for solar and wind energy instead of depending on central agencies for meeting their renewable targets. With most states falling behind their renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets, MNRE has given out these instructions to state power utilities. The target is of generating 17% of electricity in 2018-2019 through renewable energy, whereas in April-September period only 10% of that target has been achieved. “Finally, it is the state which is procuring power, so it’s better that they issue tenders on their own. States are better aware of what tariffs they can afford to purchase renewable energy,” an official told. While there are some states which are doing their part to maximize their share of renewable energy in their energy mix, like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. In a recent communication with the state authorities, MNRE secretary Anand Kumar lamented that the states are not

using their full potential in order to meet their renewable targets. “It has been observed that states have not come forward with the initiatives and bidding plans for renewable energy capacity addition, and have instead relied upon bids by central PSUs like Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI),” Kumar said.

He further added that, “This will also help the state in adding generation capacity at financially competitive rates as compared to the marginal cost of power from fossil fuel-based thermal power capacity addition,” Kumar said. The capacity bid by states will be additional to the bids likely to be issued by central PSUs, Kumar said. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

POLICY UPDATES

GOVT ISSUES RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE Ministry of Power has recently launched the ECO Niwas Samhita 2018,an Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings (ECBC-R). The Code was launched on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day 2018 in the presence of Chief Guest Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Lok Sabha and R.K. Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy. The implementation of this Code will give a fillip to energy efficiency in residential sector. It aims to benefit the occupants and the environment by promoting energy efficiency in design and construction of homes,

apartments and townships. This Code has been prepared after extensive consultations with all stakeholders, consisting of architects and experts including building material suppliers and developers. The parameters listed in the Code have been developed based on large number of parameters using climate and energy related data. Initially, Part-I of the Code has been launched which prescribes minimum standards for building envelope designs with the purpose of designing energy efficient residential buildings. The Code is expected to assist large number of architects and builders who are

involved in design and construction of new residential complexes in different parts of the country. Implementation of this Code will have potential for energy savings to the tune of 125 Billion Units of electricity per year by 2030, which is equivalent to about 100 million ton of Co2 emission. While launching this ECBC-R, R.K.Singh stated that building sector will have highest growth in energy demand in coming 10-15 years. Government is encouraging all building professionals including architects, builders to generate awareness towards energy conservation while constructing new residential homes.

CONSUMERS TO BENEFIT FROM GOVT ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR SINGLE SOLAR PLANT IN DELHI EV CHARGING STATIONS

JANUARY 2019

To make solar power a household name, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued draft framework for group net metering and virtual net metering. The framework allows multiple consumers to benefit from a single solar plant at one location. Enabling consumers to use group net metering and virtual net metering, the electricity commission has invited suggestions/ comments/objections to the guidelines from general public by January 10, 2019. Following the issuance of Delhi Solar policy in 2016, the commission had constituted a committee for developing this framework. “The purpose of this framework is to help maximize the utilization of rooftop space for solar energy generation for consumers with multiple buildings and service connections,” the draft said. The framework allows more than one customer to benefit from a single solar plant either through surplus energy generation or pro-rata credit in the electricity bills of the consumers. As the two ways are introduced now in the capital city, initially group net metering framework and virtual net metering framework shall be made applicable for government entities. In group net metering framework if the capacity of solar plant is more than the sanctioned load of the premises of the consumer on which solar plant is installed, the consumer shall pay the differential amount of SLD charges. Under Group Net Metering different connections in the name of individuals of different departments within the same distribution licensee area shall be treated as single consumer. Virtual net metering gives access of solar energy to consumers who do not have a suitable roof for installing a solar system wherein consumers can be beneficial owners of a part of a collectively owned solar system. SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

Power Ministry has issued guidelines for electric vehicles public charging stations and has mandated the installation of both Japanese and Chinese charging technologies. The guidelines published by the Power Ministry are slated to rake up the cost of installing these charging stations with both of these technologies being mandated. With the government’s plan to purchase 20,000 electric vehicles in the next couple of years, it becomes extremely important that the government fixes the modalities related to the charging station. Energy Efficiency Service Ltd, which is the nodel agency for procuring electric vehicles for the government cancelled its tender for procuring 10,000 EVs earlier this year. The new guidelines, which encompass all type of charging infrastructure, will also encourage more players to come into the Indian market owing to the increased accessibility. “If the guidelines open up all types of charging specifications, I think that is really the way to go. This will really encourage manufacturers to come with higher range cars because obviously, nobody is going to bring cars which are already present in India,” said Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director at EESL. “Current international standards used by most vehicle manufacturers internationally are CCS and CHAde-MO. Hence public charging stations shall have, one or more electric kiosks/ boards with installation of all the charger models,” said the guidelines issued by the Power Ministry. The guidelines have also clarified that captive charging infrastructure for private use by an individual or a company will not have to install all type of chargers.

POLICY UPDATES

SWEDEN, INDIA JOIN HANDS TO BOOST RE TECHNOLOGIES Sweden and India signed 2 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in the renewable energy sector to enhance technology and bring in power efficiency. The first MoU was inked between Swedish firm Spowdi and EMVEE for setting up local manufacturing and assembly unit in Bangalore. Embassy of Sweden said in a statement that, the second MoU was signed between Swedish Neutral and Tata Power DDL for setting up pilot for earth fault protection in Delhi. The MoUs were signed on the sidelines of inauguration of the ‘Sustainability by Sweden – Showroom India’ by Swedish Energy, Agency Business Sweden and Embassy of Sweden under the Sweden India nobel memorial programme, it said. India and Sweden share a long history of

collaboration, which is guided by MoUs in the fields of energy, environment, science & technology and sustainable urban planning. To further strengthen the collaboration, this showroom has been set up in India as a next step

towards bi-lateral programme - India Sweden Innovations Accelerator (ISIA), the statement said. The showroom will present over 20 Swedish innovative technologies, which have been introduced and filtered through the dedicated ISIA programme. It has been recognised as the flagship programme to expand research, innovation and business cooperation on new energy technologies between India and Sweden. “India is a growing country and equally contributing to the global energy sector. Going further, there is a need to add renewables and sustainability solutions. We are looking forward to stronger India - Sweden association and programs to support innovations and new technologies,” Verma said in the statement.

WORLD BANK LAUDS INDIA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY PUSH

ISA, EU SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY

World Bank in its latest report Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) 2018 praised India’s efforts and its success in renewable energy actions and policy support helping drive down the cost of renewable energy in the country. “Many of the world’s largest energy-consuming countries significantly improved their renewable energy regulations since 2010”, the report mentioned. The report was launched on the sidelines of the ongoing 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24). The report mentioned that the progress in energy efficiency is even greater as the percentage of countries enacting advanced policies in this regard has grown 10 fold during 2010-2017. Out of the countries having a large part of the population without access to electricity, 75% of such countries have put in place the policies and regulations which are crucial for energy expansion. However, the report also pointed out that while renewable energy push has been consistent but policies to decarbonize the transportation section and heating options are being overlooked which acocunts for nearly 80% energy use. Senior Director for Energy and Extractives at the World Bank Riccardo Puliti said the report contains a warning that without accelerated adoption of good policies and strong enforcement, the world’s climate goals and Sustainable Development Goal 7 were at risk. The report also highlights that by 2017, 84% countries had a legal framework for a flourishing renewable energy sector and 95% of the countries opened up the renewable energy space to private sector.

India led ISA and the European Union signed an agreement to enhance solar energy on the sidelines of the ongoing Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. ISA, which is a joint initiative of India and France, was launched in 2015 to help the 121 member countries in increasing the utilization of the potential solar energy. Realizing the fact that fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on energy (SDG7) will require mobilization of financial support, the agreement states that the countries will jointly provide $1 trillion to provide 1000 GW of affordable solar energy by 2030. With the agreement, ISA member countries will have access to EU’s knowledge on solar projects and the ISA and EU will facilitate innovation in solar electricity. “Joining efforts with the International Solar Alliance will reinforce the EU’s position as a global leader in the clean energy transition. It will help us fulfill our reduction of greenhouse gas emissions objectives and implement the Paris Agreement.” said EU commissioner Miguel Arias Canete. She further added that, “EU has always been a strong supporter of the alliance since its creation at the COP 21 in Paris in 2015. It has the potential to help many countries fulfill their Paris Agreement commitments and also provides vital elements for achieving the sustainable development goals,” “The Sides intend to cooperate by elaborating an action-oriented two-year rolling programme and holding annual meetings at senior official level of administration with representatives of the European Commission and ISA Secretariat,” the joint declaration mentioned. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

THE CONVERSATION

DR. RAHUL WALAWALKAR Executive Director | India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA)

HIGH TIME FOR POLICYMAKERS TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION If we really want to tap into the country’s estimated 300GWh of storage opportunity in the next four years for domestic manufacturing, this is high time for policymakers to take decisive action, believes Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, Executive Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), a membership driven alliance aiming to promote energy storage, electric vehicle & micro grid technologies and their applications in India. In conversation with Manu Tayal, Sub Editor, Saur Energy International, Dr. Rahul shared his views on various issues which the power sector is currently dealing with along with his expectations from the government in the New Year. Following are the excerpts from that exclusive interview.

First of all congratulations on getting a new responsibility to Chair Global Energy Storage Alliance (GESA)! To begin with kindly tell our readers about the idea behind formation of IESA and its vision. It’s a privilege for us to be appointed as the chair of GESA. As a Chairman of GESA, I would like to build on the strong foundation laid in the past four years under the leadership of Janice Lin. I will strive to enhance collaboration within GESA members and various international agencies working on various aspects related to energy storage technologies.

JANUARY 2019

Since 2004, we started working on energy storage, when Electric Power Research Institute approached us for a joint project to evaluate economics of energy storage in US electricity markets. Meanwhile then we have continued to work on this area, and were convinced that energy storage technologies coupled with the distributed renewable energy resources have potential to transform the electric grid. We are SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

confident that the value proposition for storage is stronger in developing countries such as India, and thus incorporated India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) in 2012. After its inception, IESA has worked diligently with policy makers, industry stakeholders and consumers to create awareness of energy storage technologies for transforming India’s electric grid in the coming decade. IESA’s experience and expertise cuts across all segments such as energy storage, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, microgrid, renewable energy etc. IESA is working with a vision to make India a global hub for adoption as well as manufacturing of advanced energy storage technologies by 2020. Energy storage plays an important role into renewable integration, micro grids, electric mobility, smart grid and smart cities initiatives by the Government. I have been fortunate that we entered this area at a time, when rapid innovation was taking place in terms of new energy storage technology developments as well as creating policies that can help in unlocking the value of storage to grid.

THE CONVERSATION

As in 2018, India achieved its ambitious target of 100% rural can face with rapid integration of solar energy. electrification. How do you think energy storage can help in remote/ distant areas where grid connectivity is difficult? Work also needs to be done on developing hybrid solutions. Combination of solar and wind integrated with a hydrogen Rural electrification was one of many â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;uniqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; issues in India based power storage system can provide cost effective, where we believed that emerging technologies can help India efficient, viable and reliable solutions. Other countries are in leapfrogging development. Over 200 million rural Indians do also testing various combinations to identify the best suited not have access to the grid access, whilst just over another 200 technology. Substantial efforts and investment are being million have a poor connection to the grid. These far-fetched employed in this direction to develop a solution which can places have the largest potential for micro-grids to give a reduce or eliminate the use of fossil-fuels for generating energy return. The right answer has been found in innovative utilisation in these areas. of renewable energy. But, the generation of energy through What are your expectations from 2019 as Indian government clean sources like solar and wind comes with the challenge has set ambitious target for renewable energy capacity of regularity and a mismatch between energy production and demand. A sound solution for this is the development addition by 2022. What will be the major bottlenecks? of bulk energy storage solutions for electricity that are cost India has an ambitious plan of 175 GW renewables by 2022 effective, energy dense and reliable. including 60 GW for wind and 100 GW of solar. The key With the rapid reduction in the cost of wind, solar and energy challenge for reaching these targets would be the ability of the storage, customers can see RE + storage as an alternative for grid to integrate variability associated with these renewables peak power from the grid at the same time, utilities can avoid as well as huge investment required for upgrading the T&D investments in leaker capacity or eliminate load shedding by infrastructure. Energy storage can help in better integration of these renewable by providing multiple values to the system utilizing these resources. such as optimizing T&D investments, addressing forecasting The National Electricity Plan (NEP) highlights the role of energy errors in solar generation for more accurate scheduling, storage in maintaining grid security with increasing penetration addressing local reliability issues by providing reactive power of RE in addition to addressing the intermittency of RE to a support and also enabling end users for managing peak load and more efficient utilization of distributed renewables etc. large extent.

Solar + Storage is anticipated to become a viable solution for off grid as well as for managing peak loads within the next 12-18 months. This can fuel exponential growth for storage. Through the fast scale- up of solar anticipated under National Solar Mission, energy storage can play a critical role in India. Firstly, energy storage would be required for smoothing of the short duration intermittency caused by cloud/dust and secondly, it can provide options to shift solar energy for 2-4 hrs per day to meet the evening demand.

With the rapid reduction in cost of both solar and storage, customers can see solar + storage as alternative for peak power from grid. At the same time, utilities can avoid investments in Peaker capacity or eliminate load shedding by utilizing these resources. This transition is supported by significant push for Giga factories for advanced energy storage technologies such as li-ion that is driving down the cost of energy storage at a pace even faster than the solar PV cost reductions witnessed in past decade. Grid scale energy storage projects have witnessed costs to fall below $300 / kWh from over $1000 / kWh just 5-6 years back. It is anticipated that with scale up of deployment and also setting up of local manufacturing we can witness further reduction by at least 20-30 % with in next 3-5 years. As a result we are seeing range of projects at 100s of MWh scale getting implemented globally from US, Europe, China, Japan, Australia and even in South East Asia. Through the fast scale up of solar anticipated under National Solar Mission, energy storage can play a critical roles in India. Firstly, energy storage would be required for smoothing of the short duration intermittency caused by cloud / dust and secondly it can provide options to shift solar energy for 2-4 hrs per day to meet the evening demand.

Through the right policy support, large scale solar parks with 100 MW and above could easily integrate energy storage to help improve the power quality and reliability issues that grid

By the right policy support, large scale solar parks with 100 MW and above could easily integrate energy storage to help improve the power quality and reliability issues that grid can face with rapid integration of solar energy. Many government projects which were cancelled are expected to VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

THE CONVERSATION

move forward with a rise in private sector opportunities, and SECI’s consultation on a 160MW solar-wind-storage hybrid in Andhra Pradesh. Just in Andaman and Nicobar, there are also 4-5 other solar-plus-storage projects being executed for the military engineering services (MES). MNRE has now constituted an Expert Committee on energy storage with a goal of releasing a ‘National Energy Storage Mission’ in 2019, which would seek to follow the success of the National Solar Mission (NSM). According to India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) research estimates, by 2020 there will be at least 3 companies globally with 25 GWh + annual production capacity and another 5 companies with 10+ GWh annual production capacity for Li-Ion batteries. The new projected capacity for 2020 is now over 400 GWh based on latest projections by IESA Research. India is targeting 5-10 GWh of manufacturing by 2020. 1 GWh cell manufacturing would need an investment of $200-250 million. Looking at the potential India has to create a 10 GWh capacity, India could attract investments to the tune of $3 billion by 2020. And as this happens, ancillary development including module development, containers, transformers, inverters could need an equal amount of investment, taking the total potential to $6 billion. We are confident that with platforms like Energy Storage India 2019, energy storage ecosystem will open new avenues, thought exchange and effective roadmaps for advanced energy storage technologies, regulatory and policy issues, renewable integration, future of solar power in India, make in India, rural microgrid and off grid and a lot more.

for charging EVs during the day, then this can actually solve a problem of low net loads during the times when maximum solar energy is being produced. Energy Storage is a key component of this and there are number of ways in which EV adoption could be transformative for the grid. With better tariff structures and use of right storage technologies in EVs, we could also use EVs as distributed storage and provide grid balancing services. This transformation will not only help in greening the transportation fleet by reducing diesel / petrol consumption and associated emissions, but will also help in greening the grid if EVs are used for better integration of renewable resources in grid. The EV market is slated to be driven by both incentives and also other market dynamics that will bring down the cost of Electric Vehicles (EVs) comparable to gasoline powered vehicles. Similarly the growth in the manufacturing sector with added incentives like export credit can help India turn into an export market for EVs. NITI Aayog has already evaluated the policy option of providing feebates to promote adoption of EV.

Do you think grid stability can be a threat in coming years as India is aggressively adding on to its renewable energy capacity and how energy storage can help in this?

The national grid faced major failures in July 2012. Since then, there has been a demand for bringing in the framework which can take care of power quality and grid security & stability. Over the past 3-4 years, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has introduced ancillary services and is now evaluating additional changes including 5 mins scheduling In your view, what major steps should be taken by the and real time markets. The anticipated launch of ancillary government in coming New Year, so that India’s 30% services market can create 1-2 GWh opportunity for energy vehicles run on electricity by 2030? storage technologies in India.

An Indian think tank revised its electric vehicle penetration target from 100% EVs to 30% within one year of announcement. As of now, India has no formal policy announcements or notifications on electric vehicles. Although in the past there seem to be some confusion on the exact details of this goal, with some departments suggesting relaxing the target to 30% by 2030. Even 30% EV penetration by 2030 would be a huge achievement for the industry. Most of the developed countries have taken more than a decade to even get to 10% EV penetration. At the same time, in next 5 years, it is anticipated that with the continued drop in price of key components, EVs would become cost competitive to ICE vehicles even on the upfront capital cost. So, it is highly desirable that Indian policy makers set an ambitious target for EVs.

20 JANUARY 2019

Depending on how the charging infrastructure is created and associated policies are developed, this may or may not require substantial new generation capacity. E.g. with 100 GW of anticipated solar capacity added by 2022, India is expected to have a net load curve which has sufficient capacity for taking additional load during afternoon. If we can have sufficient public charging facilities which can be used SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

We need a stable, robust and flexible grid for significant renewable energy integration. The Government of India has set up a target of 175 GW of renewable energy deployment by 2022 and it is evident that energy storage technologies have to play a key role in achieving this goal. Ancillary Services Technology choice: Environmental Impact Conventional Grid

THE CONVERSATION

Manage renewable variation by fossil generators varying output • Decreases efficiency • Increases fuel consumption • Requires more maintenance • Increases emissions Smarter Solution: Storage

be ramped up to 10 Gigawatt in the next 6-7 years.

What opportunities do you think 2019 will bring for the country’s energy storage sector?

Energy storage can play an important role in renewable integration, energy access, electric mobility and smart cities initiatives by the Government. IESA estimates the market for energy storage would grow to over 300 GWh during 2018-25. India is expected to attract investment in 2-4 Giga factories for advanced Li-ion batteries, attracting over $3Billion in investments in the next 3 years. We expect 2019 to be a year of opportunities for energy storage sector especially in terms of manufacturing, assembling, energy storage project developments, equipment supply, R&D of technology enhancement etc. More and more foreign as well as Indian technology players are going to explore this sector in the coming years.

Store energy when supply exceeds load; Inject energy when load exceeds supply • High round trip efficiency • Low operating cost • Near instantaneous response • Zero direct emissions • Frees up generation capacity Key applications at grid scale include the provision of fast response ancillary services such as frequency regulation, renewable ramp rate control, smoothening and firming up of renewable power as well as optimization of transmission & distribution investments.

In India, with the ever-rising fossil fuel imports and rapid urbanization choking many cities with harmful pollution, the need for adoption of clean energy became more a compulsion than a choice. India is moving rapidly towards RE and e-mobility. With the government moving on top gear to reach the 2022 RE goals, the RE capacity would rise to 25% of the total and grid instability will become a real issue. Central to the successful growth of RE and EVs is Energy Storage. The government of India is fully aware of this and is putting in place the Electrical Energy Storage Mission. In the next few years, a lot of moving and rapid change in the market is expected.

Energy storage is also the key which can help in improving rooftop solar penetration on distribution networks. It is also an essential part of microgrids for providing energy access to every citizen by 2018. IESA is working with various government agencies of demand aggregation programs for use of energy storage for income generating activities for rural areas as well.

If we really want to tap into the country’s estimated 300GWh of storage opportunity in the next four years for domestic manufacturing, this is high time for policymakers to take decisive action. Electric vehicles, behind the meter and grid scale energy storage, are key applications to help the Indian government meet wind and solar targets as well as meeting the energy access goals. Cost is seen as one factor derailing rapid adoption of storage in the country.

Please shed some light on distributed advanced storage deployment in the country.

Sterling and Wilson, an Indian multinational engaged in engineering, construction, manufacturing and energy services has bagged its first large scale hybrid and energy storage turnkey engineering, procurement and construction order in Western Africa. Three battery sites totalling 30MWh including single largest installation of 17MWh part of a hybrid micro grid powered by Solar, Diesel and Battery Energy Storage. IESA member company, Amara Raja Batteries Ltd, India’s second-biggest traditional battery maker by value, is in the process of building a 100 megawatt-hour assembly plant in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Another member company Bharat Energy Storage Technology (BEST) has commenced on the thermal batteries plant in Andhra Pradesh, which will produce thermal batteries from next year. The plant will initially have an annual capacity of 1000 megawatt and will

We also need the removal of barriers such as higher GST (18% for batteries versus 5% for solar) and import duties for kick starting the market for advanced energy storage in India. The government of India also has a goal of at least 30% of its vehicles running on electric by 2030. If we can have sufficient public charging facilities which can be used for charging EVs during the day, then this can actually solve a problem of low net loads during the times when maximum solar energy is being produced. With the forthcoming launch of National Energy Storage Mission, we expect 2019 to be a year of action than mere discussions and promises. Over past 2-3 years, we have a number of mixed signals from policy makers that have prevented major investments to flow in India for energy storage sector. Still we have a wonderful opportunity to tap investments and fuel innovation with domestic ingenuity and global partnerships. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

PERSPECTIVE

New Aspirations with New Year!

he New Year 2019 is ready to be kicked off with all new power promises and aspirations with the rising of the new sun. Everybody in the solar industry is also expecting that this New Year will achieve far greater milestones as compared to the previous year. They also hope, the New Year will bring some new surprises too for the industry which will help in further boosting the solar space in the country. In continuing my journey of exploring further about the present state of affairs of the solar industry in India - its growth trends with respect to tariffs, impact of global issues such as Rupee depreciation and oil prices volatility on solar industry, bottlenecks related to the policies, its future as per government’s ambitious plans for the sector and on top of the above, efforts of state governments especially Andhra Pradesh’s in implementing energy efficiency programs as per the government directives. A few among the well-known industry veterans - Sitapathy Chavali, Founder & CEO, Greenrays Enersol Pvt Ltd; Sachin Bhalla, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Luminous Power Technologies Pvt Ltd; Abhijeet Gupta, Director, Radite Group; Neelesh Garg, Director, Saatvik Green Energy Pvt Ltd; and Mehul Sharma, Director Sales – India, TBEA Xián Electric Technology Co. Ltd.; discussed extensively about the current scenario of the solar space in the country, their expectations and major concerns that they hope to be addressed by the policy makers in this New Year…

JANUARY 2019

SITAPATHY CHAVALI Founder & CEO Greenrays Enersol Pvt Ltd SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

SACHIN BHALLA Senior Vice President, Marketing, Luminous Power Technologies Pvt Ltd

PERSPECTIVE

ABHIJEET GUPTA Director Radite Group

NEELESH GARG

Director Saatvik Green Energy Pvt Ltd

MEHUL SHARMA

Director Sales – India TBEA Xián Electric Technology Co. Ltd.

VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

COVER STORY

Solar tariffs saw upward trend post 25% will pump up the prices. Solar modules Abhijeet Gupta safeguard duty imposition. Is this a positive account for over half of a solar power sign for the domestic industry? project’s cost and a safeguard duty may The world economy is in critical stage at affect 11-12 gigawatts of projects that present and rupee depreciation and oil Sitapathy Chavali are under construction and for future prices volatility as always a concern for biddings. The proposed safeguard duty is Indian economy. Renewable source of Yes, definitely it’s a positive sign for viability intended to protect domestic solar panel energy is the only option to save our future of domestic solar industry as demand for production from impacts due to increased generation. Rupee depreciation and oil domestic panels is on the rise. Tariffs has imports. India's solar industry is growing prices will be one of the catalyst but not earlier fallen to very low levels where we rapidly and is one of the cornerstones the only reason to sift over renewables. have seen project viability and industry of a sustainable future for the country. This is need of time. sustainability a key concern. However, the industry is still at a nascent age and requires constant policy support Neelesh Garg Sachin Bhalla for a favourable environment for growth. The present domestic manufacturing Oil price volatility and dollar appreciation It is definitely a positive sign for the domestic capacity of solar cells and solar modules is a global factor that will not only affect industry. Since the imported modules are is about 3.1 GW and 8.8 GW, respectively, the growth of India’s renewable energy around 9% cheaper than the domestic according to MNRE. While the annual but also other nations which are mostly ones, the safeguard duty will make the installation counts around 1.5 GW of dependent on oil. Though, this is a good latter more competitive. solar cells and 2.0-3.0 GW of solar panels. window for countries like India to move Only 10% of the installations use domestic to renewable energy sources, but this Abhijeet Gupta cells and modules. The main reason for volatility should only be a learning to invest under utilisation of the installed domestic in renewable, but not the sole reason. Solar tariffs going up is a positive sign for the manufacturing capacities is the inability industry as due to low tariff which are not of domestic manufacturers to compete Mehul Sharma practical at this point was putting pressure with foreign manufacturers due to lack on the project execution cost. This in turn of economies of scale, technology India Rupee depreciation and hitting a project financing disbursements was getting performance and higher cost of the record low breaching 70-mark to the dollar delayed and cash flow management for capital borrowed from banks. So, the has been driven by the fact India is a net the developers was hampered. To continue imposition of Safeguard duty will now allow importer, and needs more dollars every the project completion was becoming the domestic solar panel manufacturers year to import. The fall does not bode well challenge for the developers. to grow & compete with international for the import-driven Indian solar sector Solar Cells & Solar Panels manufacturers. along with imposition of 25% safeguard Neelesh Garg duty, which is likely to lead to a jump in projects costs and may even derail the Viewing it from the macro perspective, lower Will factors like Rupee depreciation and government’s plan to quickly ramp up tariff rates are useful only when the benefit oil prices volatility in 2018, be able to shift solar power generation capacity. This is passed on to the ultimate consumer. The India’s energy security needs towards has majorly effected players who are yet low tariff rates have only benefitted the renewable? to place the orders for their modules as distribution companies. Tariffs have not really these are placed after the land and other increased after safeguard, as the module Sitapathy Chavali clearances have been obtained and the prices have already dropped to adjust for basic infrastructure is in place. A sustained safeguard. The effect of safeguard has We have seen India taking a big leap in fall in the value of the Rupee had severely still not impacted the domestic industry, last 5 years in renewables, and this will impacted import-centric solar industry, because the solar installations significantly help country in securing energy needs which will surely lead to increased need dropped in Q3 over the confusion on SGD. against ever rising fossil fuel costs. We of energy security services. Further, IPPs got permission to pass on SGD hope that with government pushing for big renewable capacity additions in next on already bid projects. few years, our dependency on costly fossil India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity Mehul Sharma fuels should reduce. to exceed 40% by the end of 2019. What is your take on this? Imposition of 25% Safeguard Duty have Sachin Bhalla Sitapathy Chavali become a problem for Solar developers. In country like India, where 90% of Solar These factors are already influencing the equipment used are imported, mostly policy makers to give more importance While the target looks aggressive and from China & Malaysia and Indian Solar to renewable energy than ever before. encouraging, achieving the same on Market witnessing prices as low as Rs 2.44/ The sustained push towards solar energy field may be difficult due to various factors related to rupee depreciation, KwH, will surely make survival tough and in particular is a testament to that fact.

JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

COVER STORY

govt policy changes and support for renewable industry.

Sachin Bhalla Govt. is playing an active role in promoting the adoption of renewable energy resources by offering various incentives, such as generation-based incentives (GBIs), capital and interest subsidies, fiscal incentives etc. Even though we are on the right track, but the need of the hour is to sustain as well as enhance the on-going efforts if we have to achieve this target.

Abhijeet Gupta This is most challenging task for the industry. Till date the total renewable energy capacity of India is 20% of the total energy production in the country. To double the capacity in one year will take lots of efforts from all stake holders. Land availability and fund disbursement will be key play for achieving the target.

Neelesh Garg It is a step towards the growing economy of India, which shall encourage further efforts not only by government, but by individuals to adopt the new sources of energy. If India keeps growing at this pace, the target of 100GW can easily be achieved. Times have changed, and now people understand, or want to understand the working of renewable energy systems to be able to implement it in their own lives.

Mehul Sharma India has a current installed renewable energy generation capacity of around 72,000 Megawatt. The government is working on a plan to ramp it up to 175,000 by 2022. This includes 100,000 Mw of solar power capacity. In fact all developing nations are now driving the world’s gradual shift towards renewable energy, and India has become one of the leaders of the pack. With increased investments and clean energy installations, as well as the world’s largest renewables auction market, India ranks 2nd after Chile in the 2018 Climatescope report by energy researcher Bloomberg

NEF. The organisation studied over 80 indicators, such as clean energy policies, power sector structures, emissions and installed capacities, for 103 countries around the world. The Narendra Modi government in India has set an ambitious goal of reaching 175GW of clean energy generation by March 2022. In June 2018, renewables accounted for 71GW of India’s installed generating capacity. India’s renewables auctioned capacity has also increased by 68% since 2017, and clean energy investments, mostly related to solar power projects, added up to $7.4 billion in the first half of 2018. The ambitious plans of Indian government shows a complete set of track to add 40% more renewable power by 2019.

the e-mobility and already introduced e-vehicles in various cities and also introduced policy to adopt e-vehicles. State has announced that it will adopt an Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for large commercial and public buildings and major retrofits. The ECBC is expected to dramatically reduce energy consumption by as much as 40-60%, increase electricity reliability, and enable consumers to save money. In fact, adopting the code in Andhra Pradesh could save the amount of energy by 2030 that’s needed to power 8.9 million Indian households annually over that time frame, according to a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).

Whether Andhra Pradesh’s efforts in implementing energy efficiency Mehul Sharma programmes can become a model for India’s demand for electricity has been other states? Please explain. growing by about 8% every year for the Sitapathy Chavali last 5 years. India has consistently faced an energy deficit of 8-10%. State level Andhra Pradesh has been in forefront actors like the State Electricity Regulatory in planning and implementing energy Commissions (SERC), DISCOMs, and efficiency programmes, more so with the SDAs established by the state new capital city of Amaravati being governments under the EC act have built as a model city. With a visionary an important role to play in improving Chief Minister, the state is moving in India’s energy efficiency. Every state a very planned manner, and can be is different with its own consumer mix, a model to be emulated by other power purchase profile, load curve and progressive states. other factors. Hence, it is necessary that each state develop its own action Sachin Bhalla plan for energy efficiency with active involvement from all the actors. Also, AP is doing a phenomenal job in terms most of the DISCOMs are unable to of implementing energy efficiency meet their peak demands and are initiatives. The commitment and passion burdened with financial losses. with which they are going about it is Andhra Pradesh is working with a an example for other states to follow. passion towards implementing energy Their LED street lighting drive is one efficiency measures and has become such example. No wonder the Bureau a role model for other states. In fact, of Energy Efficiency is asking for their Andhra Pradesh is the only State in the help in order to roll out their programs country which has completed 100 per across the nation effectively. cent LED street lighting in four districts. These key factors makes Andhra Pradesh Abhijeet Gupta to become a model for other states and can make other stated to implement AP is working with a passion towards energy efficiency programmes in more i m p l e m e n t i n g e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y effective manner. measures and has become a role model for other states by implementing -MANU@MEILLEURMEDIA.COM programmes like LED Street Lights. The n state has stood first in implementing VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

BIG TECHNOLOGY TRENDS FOR 2019

Dr. Weiming Zhang EVP and CTO Heraeus Photovoltaics

JANUARY 2019

The year 2018 was projected to be one of the best years for the PV market and it lived up to this projection in the beginning of the year. But, due to the China 531 policy and tariff announcements, the market situation changed quickly. At the moment, the market is in recovery mode and we expect PV market to be back on growth trajectory from 2019 onwards. Also, on the positive side, 2018 brought in and cemented some technology trends. Driven by the strong need for high efficiency technology and low prices, mono wafers started to take over market SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

share from multi. The market share for mono wafers grew throughout the year in 2018 and will continue in 2019. Wafer prices have dropped dramatically, in particular for mono, and are currently at $0.37/wafer. There have been several capacity expansions announced for mono, notably LONGi announcing plans for 45GW by 2020. The need for high efficiency cells also drove the requirement of mono wafers and the market share swiftly increased from 37% to 52% through 2018 and we expect that trend to continue in 2019. At the cell level, mono p-PERC currently dominates the market. The relative ease in processing and the modest addition to cell processing required for manufacturing these cells combined with the high efficiency potential were the main reasons for this rapid growth. Heraeus’ industry leading SOL9651 family of silver metallization pastes enable higher efficiency for PERC cells. In 2019, we expect that passivated contacts, TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contacts) technology to gain momentum.TOPCon

greatly reduces the recombination losses and significantly improves the Voc of the cell. We have already seen large scale implementation of this technology on n-type cells. Heraeus’ SOL7100 series of screen print pastes enable lower firing temperatures in order to reduce the impact of metal induced recombination, and maintain high cell Voc while also providing excellent contact resistance, thereby resulting in very high efficiency TOPCon cells. We expect that TOPCon technology will be a natural progression for p-type cells, thus enabling higher efficiency over PERC technology and bifacial modules. At the module level, shingled modules will start to become more main stream in 2019. Shingling provides more active cell area in the module and reduces the cell-to-module conversion losses. Another advantage of Shingled modules is that they can be made using multiple cell technologies including mono or multi p-type, PERC, Bifacial, Heterojunction, etc. Heraeus has developed an Electrically Conductive Adhesive (ECA), Hecaro®, which is a reliable, cost-effective, fast curing and screen printable material that also enables shingled modules. We expect Hecaro® to lead the market in 2019.

300,000+ PROFESSIONALS Saur Energy International offers wide opportunity to reach your target audience and

position your company as a leader in the solar Industry through content advertising. We create content that make sense. Our content marketing plans can fit your requirement and help to drive qualified audience for your organization. Content marketing is one of the most practical, effective, and useful marketing strategies today. Get in touch with us now to create a compelling and strategic content plan for your company.

www.saurenergy.com

To read free scan above code magazine.saurenergy.com

POWER DISTRIBUTION SECTOR NEEDS SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND SOON!

Sushil Kumar Srivastava Chief-HR & Admin Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited

28 JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

Distribution companies need to undertake measures like smart metering, smart grid technology, switching to renewable sources of energy, adoption of blockchain in managing distributed energy resources and Artificial Intelligence. All of this calls for upscaling of existing workforce and preparing future power sector professionals to make strong impacts in the power sector. The need of the hour is to have well established training institutions to train and fill the scarcity of astute power sector professionals. Considering this, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) has come up with Learning Centre which caters to the training needs of its workforce.

OPED

Sanjay Banga, CEO, TPDDL with the delegates from the Higher Management Batch of NERPC during the Capacity Building Programme on Integration of Renewable Energy Resources at TPDDLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Smart Grid Lab, Delhi

The power sector faces an enormous shortage of workers with requisite competencies. With digitalisation driving across the value chain, skill development becomes imperative for the entire sector and all the more so in the distribution sector. To help bridge the skill gap and to support the reforms and driving change management initiatives through capability building, Tata Power-DDL has set up a Learning Centre located at Rohini, Delhi. It is a Partner Training Institute for capability building initiatives of the Ministry of Power, through Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under Distribution Reforms, Upgrade and Maintenance (DRUM) Program and Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (APDRP), Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) programs. The learning centre provides training to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own workforce as well as to personnel from other distribution utilities - both in India and abroad, at all levels to continually prepare them for the existing technologies and future competencies in the power distribution sector. The learning and development strategy of the institute is focused on a comprehensive approach for employee development targeting the organisational, departmental and individual developmental needs encompassing the current and future core competencies. The centre helps DISCOMS

to learn and implement operational efficiency improvements through customized training programs as per need analysis.

State-of-the-art Laboratories at Tata Power-DDL

Tata Power-DDL provides consultancy services to over 20 state utilities in various fields and customised training programs are delivered for sustainable competency development of the utility officials. State-of-the-art laboratories with latest technology simulations including the Smart Grid Lab, Transformer Workshop, Meter Diagnostic Lab, SCADA center, Protection and Testing Lab, RMU workshop, AMR Diagnostic and Analysis Center, Solar Plants, GIS Development and Analysis Center etc. as well as Hands-On-Training by experienced subject matter experts act as unique differentiators to the L&D excellence of Tata Power-DDL. State utilities have benefitted by reducing Aggregate and Technical losses by firsthand knowledge from subject matter experts through customised training programs. The institute has trained over 6600 engineers and officers in 36000 mandays from Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Goa and other State Electricity Boards (SEBs) etc.

Technical Training Themes

Moving beyond domestic boundaries, Tata Power-DDL is expanding its services to international utilities and is doing significant work in the African, central Asian and Indian subVOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

OPED

continent. Tata Power-DDL has been able to provide synergistic value to utilities undergoing reforms process in their countries and those who want to upgrade themselves to become a smarter utility of the future by implementing the Information and Operational Technologies. Tata Power- DDL has many successful deliveries for its clients to its credit in domains ranging from implementation of complex IT projects to giving valueadded consultancy services in countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Zanzibar, Uganda, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Yemen, Central Asia and more. As part of the consultancy program, Tata Power-DDL also provides training to overseas utilities and offer programmes such as customised training programme for engineers/ officials in commercial, operations, IT, finance and contracts on best managerial practices, financial management and accounting system, IT, best practices in distribution and smart grid technology adoption et al in the power distribution. The programmes have been organised for delegates from countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guyana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan, et al and has trained hundreds of officials from foreign Utilities. Tata Power-DDL has also established Global Training partners in the USA and Europe. Several programs have been facilitated internationally, in order to align Senior Power Sector officials with future technologies in the power sector. Programs on Smart Grid at USA – Raleigh and Capability Building Programs on Integration of Renewable Energy Resources in Germany and Spain have been effective in creating a niche in capability building. Tata Power-DDL has also collaborated with leading international and national institutions like Harvard, MIT, UCLA, IIT and other Engineering Colleges, to carry out research activities in emerging technologies. It is the only Indian utility which is a partner of Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition, a coalition of 14 power utilities worldwide for driving the energy industry transition, accelerating the development of common standards, technology solutions and processes for intelligent networks resulting in process improvements for an effective smart grid technology implementation. In the past few years, Tata Power-DDL has undertaken global learning exchange for benchmarking best practices with global utilities.

30 JANUARY 2019

The technical competence of Tata Power – DDL is also strengthened by DOSEC (Distribution Operations & Safety Excellence Centre), which is accredited by CEA (Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power) as the only Category 1, Grade B institute in power sector in India. DOSEC is also SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

affiliated with Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ) as a training provider in the area of renewable energy like solar energy. SCGJ is aligned to the most recently launched initiatives of the GoI under National Skill Development Mission, promoted by MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). The centre trains operational staff on operating various distribution equipment like distribution transformer/power transformer, switchgear, energy meters, overhead conductors, cables, etc. with a focus on actual and demonstrable performance to create skilled manpower for its workforce and other state electricity utilities. In this new environment of technological opportunities, power distribution utilities need to have a knowledge sharing process which would play a key role in the transformation of the power sector. Distribution companies need to undertake measures like smart metering, smart grid technology, switching to renewable sources of energy, adoption of blockchain in managing distributed energy resources and Artificial Intelligence. As a leading power distribution company, Tata Power- DDL has introduced several firsts in the distribution sector and believes in passing on its practical knowledge to other DISCOMS. Through its training centre, Tata Power-DDL is not only sharing the existing best practices but also training other DISCOMS on the futuristic technologies for the overall development of the power sector. Tata Power-DDL’s Learning Centre is also tying-up with several technical universities to help train students as per the immediate needs of the distribution sector and is also planning to start e-learning courses for the distribution sector.

Awards and Accolades

Within a short span, Tata Power- DDL Learning Centre has lived up to its vision of ‘Being a Centre of Excellence in Electricity Distribution Sector’ and has received recognition for: • Award for Excellence in Training in 2011 by Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards • Green Tech Training Excellence Award’ 2012 by Greentech Foundation • Winner in National Competition for Innovative Training Practices in 2014 by Indian Society of Training & Development (ISTD) • Winner for 'Excellence in Learning & Development' by BW Business World HR Excellence Award 2017 • Winner in “CII National HR Circle Competition 2017” for 'Performance Management, Training & Development' • BML Munjal Awards 2017 & 2018 – Certificate of Appreciation on attaining ‘Expert Panel’ evaluation milestone for commitment in ‘L&D’ Tata Power-DDL carries the distinction of being the first success story of power sector reforms in Delhi under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework and is acknowledged for its superlative performance and remarkable excellence journey. The company has been conferred with several accolades including the ‘National Award for Meritorious Performance’ five times by the Ministry of Power and has been recognised as ‘2nd Best in Class – Energy, Oil and Gas Industry’ by the Great Place to Work Institute, India. n

THE CONVERSATION

ASHIT MARU Co-founder, MYSUN

QUALITY MANUFACTURING AND EASY FINANCING NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION Local manufacturing and the quality standards of local make has to be addressed and scaled-up as well, if we are to see any major boost as a manufacturing hub for rooftop solar. Quality manufacturing and easy financing are the two factors that have to be taken very seriously in order for the industry to grow, says Ashit Maru, Co-Founder, MYSUN, a leading player in the rooftop solar space. In conversation with Manu Tayal, Saur Energy International, Maru shared his views on various issues which the power sector is currently dealing with. Following are the excerpts from that exclusive interview.

Kindly tell our readers more about MYSUN and its products & offerings.

MYSUN is a technology backed rooftop solar solutions and services company and India’s largest online rooftop solar platform. With over 20 years of experience in the space of solar, the MYSUN team utilizes top-notch engineering, data and analytics to deliver the most suitable and customized solar solutions to residential, commercial and industrial energy consumers across India. Founded in September 2015 by solar industry veterans Gagan Vermani, Ashit Maru and Gyan Prakash Tiwari, MYSUN announced its commencement of operations in September 2016 and has since expanded across several states in India, with over 60 projects across Delhi/NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. MYSUN’s online platform - www.itsmysun.com has grown to become India’s largest online rooftop solar platform with over 40,000+ registered rooftops; creating a convenient and guided buying environment for consumers looking to go solar. Through advanced tools such as an online solar calculator that helps users determine their potential savings, and a site-survey app that helps consumers determine whether their house or property is suitable for rooftop solar.

Government imposed 25% safeguard duty on imports of solar cells. What are your views on this? India imports 90% of its solar requirements, and the cost of solar has

JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

reduced considerably in the last few years mainly due to the availability of globally competitive solar panels in the country. By imposing a 25% safeguard duty on imported solar panels, the government is increasing the market price of solar panels. The belief is that by levying this duty, domestic manufacturers stand to benefit and that this will give local manufacturing a boost. This may benefit some manufacturers in the short term, however, in the long run, the market dynamics will only shift and the cost of solar panels is just going to be more expensive for the end consumer. In the end, who is the government trying to safeguard? Moreover, a policy roadmap for just two years is not likely to lure investors into setting up large manufacturing basis in the country. Instead, the government should look at developing a stable and long-term policy to incentivize local manufacturing.

Is the government’s ambitious target of achieving 100 GW of solar energy by 2022 feasible? From recent reports, it's clear that India will not achieve its ambitious target of generating 100 GW solar power by 2022. This is despite the fact that the first half of the year 2018 saw just under 6GW of solar power installed in the country. 2018 has been a noteworthy year when it comes to installed capacity, however, a large majority of this has been large-scale onground solar projects. The

THE CONVERSATION

rooftop solar segment has yet to see the required exponential growth to meet the 100GW target. Indian solar target of 40 GW for the rooftop solar segment, only 6% has been installed, unfortunately.

are SMEs, MSMEs and Commercial Establishments and Institutions across the country. We have started making inroads in many of the target states where the grid tariffs are quite high and therefore consumers get the most value out of their solar system. We are As 2019 is ready to kick-off its looking to further expand our presence journey, what is your forecast for in Western and Southern states such the New Year? as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Although 2018 had a number of hurdles How do you ensure the quality of along the way, it was still a good year your products? for the solar industry. In the past year, India surpassed 26GW of cumulative solar capacity and has now emerged MYSUN is an end to end Solar Solutions as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest markets and Services company that caters when it comes to Solar PV. However, the to the needs and concerns of end pace has slowed in the last quarter of consumers. With this objective in mind, the year and 2019 will have to prove to we always offer our customers some be exceptional for business to pick up. of the most premium and high-value solar systems, as we very carefully and As p er current foreca s ts , Ind ia is selectively choose our primary partners expected to add about 10 GW of solar when it comes to solar modules and capacity in 2019, as technological systems. Our team of engineers follows innovation is at the forefront of solar strict quality standards when it comes development in the country. However, to designing customized solar solutions there are still a number of developments for customers, and our on-site personnel to take place in order for there to be is very particular when it comes to any headway, such as four-fold growth meeting their expectations and high of the entire structural framework, standards. investment in resources and consistent and supportive policies that prioritize In addition to premium high-quality the interests and requirements of the p r o d u c t s a n d t o p - n o t c h d e s i g n and engineering, MYSUN also offers Indian solar industry. customers an exclusive after-sales Installers play a significant role in service package in the form of MYSUN providing high quality and reliable Assuredâ&#x201E;˘ - a 25-year promise of materials for workmanship, while the continuous energy generation, regular Government and Discoms have to make system maintenance and savings by up sure that the process of net metering to 50%. Most important of all, customers and its benefits are clearly explained will have complete peace of mind for and passed on to customers, in order the next 25 years with MYSUN. to make their journey to go solar easy In your view, what else should and painless. be done by the government to Please tell us something about promote rooftop solar in the country? your client base? Due to frequent policy changes and At its inception, MYSUN has continuously the recent safeguard duty on imported f o c u s e d o n N C R a s a m a r k e t f o r panels, buying solar has only become Residential, Commercial, Industrial more expensive for the end consumer. and Institutional solar projects. In our The government needs to be more two and half year journey since, we mindful of the consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need and have expanded our operations from ability to go solar, and should look at Delhi NCR to Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar helping consumers, who are aware of Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and now the benefits of solar, better afford it; Telangana. Our primary client-base while educating and promoting the

necessity of solar amongst those who are still unsure or uninitiated. Net-metering, for example, needs to be more viable and easier for consumers to access across states. For this to happen there needs to be more positive support from local discoms in embracing solar as an alternative energy source of energy while also being transparent with the end consumer. There needs to easier financial support and solutions offered by NBFCs and insurance companies to encourage affordability of solar amongst consumers, as most see it as an expensive affair due to the initial capital investment involved. Lastly, solar policies, although in place, need to be implemented and followed strictly by the government.

Lastly, are there any hindrances in the rooftop solar space which needs to be dealt with? Even though we have seen immense growth in the space in the past two years, there are still a number of hindrances that have to be tackled. While there is widespread knowledge about solar, there is reluctance amongst people to fully commit to making the switch. One of the major factors behind this is due to the lack of financial support and options available. The uncertainty of government policies has also had a negative impact which has stalled consumers from committing to solar completely. Local manufacturing and the quality standards of local make has to be addressed and scaled-up as well, if we are to see any major boost as a manufacturing hub for rooftop solar. Qu a l i t y ma nu fa c t u ri ng and eas y financing are the two factors that have to be taken very seriously in order for the industry to grow. Consumers are also apprehensive about the net-metering processes that have been put in place, and should be addressed by the government, so as to make their decision to go solar easier. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

THE CONVERSATION

ANDREW HINES Co-Founder, CleanMax Solar

FIRST LOSS PROTECTION PROGRAM COULD BE A POSSIBLE SUPPORT To promote a broadening of the rooftop segment into those underserved markets, the government can play a very important role. One possible support would be a “first loss protection” program, in which the government or a multilateral agency would absorb some of the credit risk of these projects, to enable those long-term PPAs to happen, believes Andrew Hines, Co-Founder, CleanMax Solar, India’s leading corporate solar provider. In conversation with Manu Tayal, Sub Editor, Saur Energy International, Hines shared his views on various issues which the power sector is currently dealing with. Following are the excerpts from that exclusive interview.

India’s solar capacity addition to fall by 55% in current FY 19. Being a year for elections, what are your expectations for 2019? As India’s leading corporate solar provider, our focus is on the adoption of solar in the corporate segment, in both onsite and open access or group captive power. What determines market growth by corporates is primarily a) economics and b) enabling regulations, such as open access policies and to a lesser extent net metering. In recent years, we have seen rapid growth in the corporate or commercial & industrial segment, and we have developed a 500 MWp portfolio for this segment. We expect growth to continue in the coming years, and the most important expectations from policymakers and regulators is to provide clear and consistent policies to enable private consumers to adopt renewable energy. There is a role for the central government

34 JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

and regulators, but most of these decisions In the C&I segment, net metering is a significant bottleneck, and removal of ultimately are made by the states. One underappreciated reason for state arbitrary technical constraints, project governments to enact such regulations is caps and other restrictions would certain to attract corporate investments to India fuel further growth. and to individual states. Most corporates In terms of incentives, these could be more today are very serious about contracting productively redirected to the residential large volumes of renewable energy to and MSME segments, where they could help to develop those segments, which power their operations. An interesting recent example from are practically nonexistant today but Europe is that Scandinavian countries are have huge potential. competing aggressively to court data Financing has always being a centres from the likes of Google, Apple, challenge in India. Kindly tell us your Microsoft and Facebook, and one key aspect of this is the availability of cheap, expectations from our policy makers to ease this situation. clean power for those facilities. When tech companies and manufacturers Central and state governments have contemplate invesments in India and provided a number of incentives in the in Asia more broadly, this is an easy past to support renewable energy projects, differentiator, given that India has the including accelerated depreciation, basic regulatory framework in place, generation-based incentives, subsidies and also has abundant solar and wind and tax exemptions. Financing today is relatively easy for large resources. projects with creditworthy corporates The rooftop solar market continues as offtakers. However, it is extremely to register a robust performance difficult where the buyer of electricity growing at a pace of 70% annually. What is an MSME, a college or trust, or an are your expectations and ambitions for individual residential user. This contrasts this sector? with many other countries, where small What we like about the rooftop solar rooftop solar projects abound. To promote maket is that it is driven primarily by the a broadening of the rooftop segment project economics, and those economics into those underserved markets, the are very compelling, and will remain so government can play a very important for the foreseeable future. The market role. is not close to saturation yet, so we One possible support would be a “first expect to see continued high growth loss protection” program, in which the in the segment. government or a multilateral agency That said, there is certainly room would absorb some of the credit risk of for improvement in the regulatory these projects, to enable those long-term environment for rooftop or onsite solar. PPAs to happen.

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

THE CONVERSATION

GLENN PEARCE OROZ

Director of Policy and Programmes, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) GOVT SENDS CLEAR, ATTRACTIVE SIGNAL TO INVEST IN INDIA

Research clearly shows that businesses and private investment flow into countries that have clear, robust policy and regulatory environments with long term targets. By prioritizing energy access, the government is sending a clear, attractive signal to business to invest in the Indian market, believes Glenn Pearce Oroz, Director of Policy and Programmes, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), an International Organization working with leaders in government, private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of SDG7 and Paris Climate Agreement. In conversation with Manu Tayal, Sub Editor, Saur Energy International, Glenn shared his views on various topics including financing, policies etc. Following are the excerpts from that exclusive interview.

developments in several key areas of energy access finance that require urgent action to keep Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – within reach. Despite annual investment of USD 52 billion or more is needed to meet universal electrification, financing commitments for electricity in the 20 ‘high-impact’ countries average just USD 30.2 billion annually. For the second year in a row, finance tracked for clean cooking revealed a deeply confronting challenge: finance committed across the 20 countries with the largest clean cooking access gaps - representing 81 % of the global population without access – actually decreased 5% to an average of just USD 30 million, compared to the estimated annual investment needed of at least USD R e c e n t l y , S E f o r A L L r e l e a s e d 4.4billion. the report ‘Energizing Finance: The data also showed us that finance Understanding the Landscape 2018’. for coal-powered energy is increasing, Please tell our readers about its key at a time when the International Panel findings. on Climate Change is issuing stark warnings about stalling progress on The Energizing Finance: Understanding the Paris Agreement targets. In the the Landscape 2018 report analyzes countries tracked, annual commitments finance flows for electricity and clean for coal plants almost tripled, growing cooking access in the 20 ‘high-impact’ from USD 2.8 billion to USD 6.8 billion. countries - representing 76% of those The potential impacts of this increase without electricity access countries pose a clear challenge to climate with the most significant access gaps. goals, the air we all breathe and the One of those countries is India. ability to bring energy to those that T h e r e p o r t r e v e a l s a l a r m i n g need it, at the speed promised.

JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

As in April 2018, India hit the target of electrifying all villages ahead of its deadline. What are your key suggestions for Indian Government in order to achieve universal household electrification by 2019, and 24x7 ‘Power to All’ by 2022? While India has made solid progress on electrification in recent years, 22 million households in the country still lack any electricity access, and millions more face unreliable power supply. To address their energy access challenge, India will need a multi-pronged approach, which includes using both centralized as well as off-grid solutions (OGS) in the most efficient manner). While there are growing investments in utility scale electricity projects, the Energizing Finance report shows that OGS has secured only 1% of the total capital commitments for electricity financing. However, the current financing landscape for the OGS segment is primarily a patchwork of international grants, government subsidy, debt from DFIs, and promoter equity for both solar home systems and mini-grids. Private commercial capital is still insufficient, and although off-grid solar markets are active with more than 40 established companies, few of them have achieved profitability and most need to scale two-to-four times the amount of capital to break even, let alone become commercially viable. The major issue is the lack of appropriate investor class, which can support the

THE CONVERSATION

sector by propelling the growth phase sustainable energy for all. If so, what of the existing OGS players. In addition, challenges and scopes shall it inculcate? there is also a lack of early-stage equity investors, which could support emerging If we’re to achieve SDG7 by 2030, we OGS players. must be much more efficient in our use of energy. We can provide for many more In your view, how private sector can needs with much less energy through contribute more towards achieving technological innovation and business ‘SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy’ models. If governments put energy for all? efficiency at the heart of their energy transition, they can immediately reduce Research clearly shows that businesses and costs within their own budget by simply private investment flow into countries that using less. have clear, robust policy and regulatory The renewable revolution that is happening environments with long term targets. By globally will also be critical to providing prioritizing energy access, the government affordable, sustainable energy for all. As is sending a clear, attractive signal to the costs of renewable energy and storage business to invest in the Indian market. solutions continue to fall, renewable energy Energizing Finance research shows that gives us a cost-effective way to meet the majority of the tracked financing the needs of those who have never had flows for electricity (85%) come from reliable and affordable energy before. domestic sources of finance, mainly In particular, off-grid solutions provide from private corporations and project affordable and accessible options for developers. Domestic corporations and many more Indians to be able to access project developers invested USD 10 billion clean energy that they can. a year in 2015- 16, compared to USD 1.6 What do you think Indian Government billion a year in 2013-14. Of this, about should do to attract more foreign 87% was allocated to grid connected solar and wind projects, in particular investment for the renewable energy sector? utility scale projects. This remarkable increase was mainly driven by India’s aggressive policy India presents an interesting case study target of 175GW of renewable energy for electricity access finance. The country generation by 2022, growing certainty is a bright spot for electricity access, with around renewable technologies with increasing private finance driven by more predictable cash flows and strategic strong renewable energy targets and potential of renewable investments. public support. These renewable targets were backed Our analysis shows that international by supporting policies such as generation- public finance channelled to the country based incentives (GBIs), capital and reached USD 2 billion in 2015-16, of which interest subsidies, viability gap funding, multilateral institutions and bilateral concessional finance, fiscal incentives donors provided an annual average of USD 1.4 billion and USD 0.6 billion etc. in the last few year (MNRE, 2017). However, it is important to note that respectively, in line with the volumes rooftop solar projects, which are more tracked in 2013-14. These investments were essential for increasing energy access, generally channelled to grid connected are still struggling to receive financing renewables (47%), transmission and as evident from its currently installed distribution projects (27%), and market capacity of mere 2.5 GW (compared to support activities (10%). Commitments 40GW target by 2022). This could be a from multilateral and bilateral institutions key area of the Indian energy transition to the transmission and distribution of that the private sector could spur faster electricity, in particular, decreased by 36% to USD 700 million. progress within. To help increase foreign investment Do you think developing countries into the Indian market, the government like India needs to invest more must continue sending strong policy in developing new and innovative signals, as well as develop policy and technologies for reducing the cost of regulatory instruments that drive increases

in electricity access, increased finance flows and a shift from fossil fuel generated power to renewable energy.

How do you think organizations such as ‘International Solar Alliance’ can contribute towards filling the gaps for finance required to access clean and green energy? Collaborative partnerships supported by international organizations are critical to meet SDG7 by 2030. They provide a platform to bring partners from business, policy, the UN, civil society and academia to come together to tackle the challenges of closing the energy access gap – helping spur new innovative projects, business models and finance solutions to support faster progress. As a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar resource rich countries, the International Solar Alliance can provide the global community with the support and knowledge of using solar energy in meeting energy needs in a safe, equitable and sustainable manner that can help support closing energy access gaps – especially in countries that have large populations with no access.

Lastly, what are your targets for SEforALL in the next few years?

At SEforALL we focus on marshalling the data and evidence, benchmarking progress, connecting partners, telling stories and following the finance. To secure affordable, reliable, clean energy for all by 2030, progress must be accelerated, and interim goals met between now and 2020. Our work focuses on the critical path to ensure we leave no one behind in the energy transition to meet the three core goals of SDG7: ensure universal access to modern energy services; double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This transition will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. Our work will support this change with a particular focus on health, gender, sustainable cooling access and support in ‘highimpact countries’ – those with the largest access gaps. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

THE CONVERSATION

SOLARMAXX CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

SolarMaxx is celebrating 10 years of its continued mission of delivering highly efficient, clean energy systems. It is celebrating the hundreds of customers across India who had been empowered in the last decade to rethink their energy strategy, reduce energy expenses and transform how they do business by switching to clean energy. The company is feeling humbled and thrilled to have been a part of their journey and is excited for the next 10 years and more. The company’s journey in Solar started with a small idea from a milk vendor who wanted solar lamps in the rural belts of Rajasthan. It all began from sourcing and trading solar powered products, to now manufacturing Solar PV Panels and Solar Water Heating and putting up Solar Power plants. The company is feeling proud to be amongst the leading pioneers in its field with the largest market share and happy customers base in its regional markets. One of the most notable projects of SolarMaxx is it’s 4.5 Mega Watt Solar Power Project at Gajner, Bikaner. It is a one of its kind project in Rajasthan where the power produced at this plant will be used for captive consumption at 13 factories and sites located across Rajasthan. This plant feeds into the grid at Gajner and the factories can draw an equivalent amount of power from the grid through the open access mechanism.

38 JANUARY 2019

This project is spread across 16 acres of land near Bikaner, Rajasthan. The useful life of a typical Solar Power plant is considered to be 25-30 years. This is the duration for which long-term PPAs are SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

signed and financial models are built. However, Solar Power plants can run beyond this duration while producing a lower output. Besides, SolarMaxx also powered plenty of Printing Press across Rajasthan and neighbouring states. Net metering is a great way for such industries to save electricity bill as well as earn revenue. Since these industries run during night, the energy generated by Solar can be supplied to the grid during day time and energy can be utilised from the grid at night. This “back-and-forth” between Solar plant and the grid ensures that your excess production will still be used and your shortages will be met. A grid-connected photovoltaic power system will reduce the power bill as it is possible to sell surplus electricity produced to the local electricity supplier. Thus net metering is a boon for such industries and acts as a helping factor for industries to go Solar. Apart from that, the company is also behind the first salt refinery in India to adopt Solar Energy for their energy consumption. SolarMaxx has set up a fully integrated grid-tied solar power plant for its factory located at Nawa city, Nagaur (Raj.), under captive power reverse net metering scheme of Government of Rajasthan. This plant is expected to save approx. Rs 45 Lakhs per annum for the company. This Solar plant will meet up to 80% of energy requirement of the company. The company has also helped BMC (Bulk Milk Coolers) to switch to Solar for water heating purposes. SolarMaxx has covered over 250 BMC’s in Palsana, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and many other BMC’s

in extremely remote locations in the Sikar District of Rajasthan. BMC facility is utilized to chill the milk to maintain its quality and control the growth of microbes. Here, hot water is utilized for washing of milk containers, the high temperature of water used for washing of the equipment ensures that the containers are cleaned and sterilized properly thereby ensuring the safety of milk. The company has provided BMC the environment-friendly, cost-saving Solar Water Heating facility which is extremely easy to maintain and provides hot water in all seasons. Solar Water heaters not only help save money from E-Bill but also provide a water heating solution for those rural regions where Grid availability is low. Apart from Solar Modules and Solar Water heaters, the company also manufactures one of its kind All-In-One Solar Light. These SolarMaxx integrated Solar outdoor Lights are a break-through in the solar lighting arena. The All-In-One Solar Light is a new age and compact lighting solution integrating Solar panels, LED light, Lithium-ion battery and a PIR motion sensor. Moreover, SolarMaxx Solar Street cum Outdoor Lights have been a popular product for the companies indulging in sustainable CSR. Majority of factory, mine or construction workers are residents of nearby villages. These villages, even though may have electricity, do not generally have any outdoor street lighting facility. So, movement in the dark lanes of these villages is indeed challenging and dangerous. Also, in the challenging terrains of hilly Himachal Pradesh or the deserts of Rajasthan, several villages that are still not connected to the grid, have benefited with such solar lighting solutions donated and maintained by organisations indulging in CSR. SolarMaxx is known for constantly outperforming industry benchmarks, and have been doing it for years. The company says its commitment is simple: offering high-power solar energy that is reliable and efficient. Solar power is an international movement; a sustainable solution in the fight against climate changes and is the best way to produce carbon and nuclear-free energy. Thus solar panels are the first step towards sustainable living. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

FINANCE UPDATES

AFDB APPROVES ZAR 3BN FOR 100MW SOLAR PROJ IN SA African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a senior loan of ZAR 3 billion to the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Project, which is expected to boost South Africa’s (SA’s) energy mix and hasten transition to renewable energy. The solar power project, which is located in the Humansrus Solar Park, Northern Cape Province of SA, is expected to generate 466 GWh/year. This will offset diesel-fueled Open Cycle Gas Turbine’s (OCGT’s) operating at peak demand, thereby avoiding and mitigating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels. Moreover, the project will also improve South Africa’s power supply and access to energy, and green energy mix which is currently dominated by coal

at 82 percent. Commenting on the importance of the project, African Development Bank, President, Akinwumi Adesina said, “There is no other country – that has made bold efforts at promoting solar power – apart from South Africa and Morocco. Of the countries currently using coal, South Africa is one of the few with an aggressive strategy towards developing a solar-

based power.” “At the heart of this transition to a lowcarbon energy sector is a complete transformation of the future energy mix,” Adesina added. The project is one of the 27 renewable energy Independent Power Producer projects under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (REIPPP). Once commissioned, it is expected to create over 3500 jobs over the project life cycle. The project will also fulfil South Africa’s social development requirements on citizens employed, Black Economic Empowerment, procurement from small and medium-scale enterprises, local content, and shareholding by local communities.

AFDB GROUP OKAYS $18.17 MN FOR KOPERE SOLAR PROJ

AUSTRALIA’S CEFC INVESTS $72 MN IN RENEWABLES FUND

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a USD 18.17 million senior loan to 40 MWac (50MWp) Kopere Solar Power Project in Kenya. The Kopere project, which falls under Kenya’s Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) policy, is owned by Voltalia, an international player in the renewable energy sector listed on the Paris stock exchange. Moreover, the bank is also in the process of securing a USD 11.6 million concessional loan from the Climate Investment Fund’s Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP). Further, the project encompasses the design, construction and operation of a 40 MWac (50MWp) solar PV power project in Nandi County. It also involves the construction of a 33/132 kV substation, and a 1.8 km T-line to evacuate the electricity to the national grid. Commenting on the project, Bank’s Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth, Amadou Hott said, “This project could potentially be Kenya’s first utility-scale solar PV project under the Feed in-Tariff (FiT) Policy. We are confident that the provision of long-term and concessional financing to support the project with terms that are unavailable from commercial sources will have an important demonstration effect in attracting more investors to engage with Kenya’s vast solar opportunities.” The project is expected to generate around 106 GWh per year, and effectively supply electricity to approximately 600,000 people through the grid. It will also save 1,081 kt CO2eq in GHG emissions annually throughout the project operation. Meanwhile, the implementation of the project is expected to commence in 2019.

Making a tremendous renewable energy push, Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has invested US $72 million (AU $100 million) in the Australian Renewables Income Fund (ARIF). This is the largest equity investment ever made in renewable energy in Australia with an aim to encourage institutional investors to expand their reach in clean energy sector. ARIF will focus this fund on large scale projects of wind and solar, large scale battery storage and other emerging opportunities. CEFC’s renewable energy portfolio now stands at AU $355 million, and the investment in ARIF represents 40% of that investment. The asset will be managed by Infrastructure Capital Group (ICG). “It’s been exciting to see Australia’s renewable energy sector achieve significant growth in recent years, delivering substantial new investment in regional Australia and producing lower cost and cleaner electricity,” said CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth. He further added that, “Our investment in the Australian Renewables Income Fund is about creating new opportunities for institutional investors to take a larger role in our clean energy transition.” ICG Managing Director Tom Laidlaw said, “ARIF offers investors access to a high-quality portfolio of operating renewable energy assets and a platform for future growth in the sector. It is a portfolio that has been built over an extended period and is designed to provide investors with a diversified exposure across the sector.” Clean Energy Finance Corporation has debt financed more than $2 billion worth of projects since it started investing in 2013.

40 JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

FINANCE UPDATES

BLACKROCK SELLS 14 FRENCH CANADIAN SOLAR GETS $69MN SOLAR PROJECTS FOR MEXICAN SOLAR PROJECT BlackRock Real Assets has reached an agreement with the Consortium of Samsung Securities as the financial investor, Samchully Asset Management as the asset manager with Schroder AIDA as the asset management advisor, on the sale of a portfolio of 14 operating solar projects across France. The move will mark the first realization for BlackRock’s renewable power platform and offers Samsung, Samchully AMC and Schroders an attractive foothold into the European renewables power market. Further, the portfolio achieved commercial operations between 2013 and 2015, and has demonstrated a robust track record with consistent production. The portfolio was optimized by BlackRock through aggregating individual projects, bringing them through construction and completing a refinancing of the project level debt facilities. The de-risked portfolio provides an International Consortium with long-term income from a high-quality core infrastructure asset. Commenting on the development, BlackRock Renewable Power, Head of Europe, Rory O’Connor commented, “We are delighted to partner with Samsung, Samchully AMC and Schroders on this renewable power transaction. This portfolio is testament to BlackRock’s strong investment, partnering and technical capability in renewable power. We are very pleased with this sale and the realisation of value from this portfolio for our clients, and we will continue the strategy of selected realizations over time.” “It is a remarkable achievement for Samchully AMC and the Korean financial investors to enter France’s renewable market for the very first time. After 10 years of overseas investment in energy, power and utilities – mainly in North America, we are excited to add this solar photovoltaic transaction to our portfolio,” said Jae Kyun Lee, CEO and Representative Director, Samchully AMC.

Canadian Solar, one of the world’s largest solar power companies, has secured funding of US$69.0 million nonrecourse project financing for the 67.8 MWp Aguascalientes solar power project in Mexico. The funding is provided by Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior (Bancomext), and Banco Sabadell. Bancomext is a Mexican Development Bank and Export Credit Agency, whereas Banco Sabadell is a commercial banking group headquartered in Spain. The financing package consists of a US$53.2 million long-term loan, a US$5.6 million letter of credit facility, and a US$10.2 million Value Added Tax (VAT) shortterm loan. Proceeds from the long-term loan will be used to repay a US$45 million construction loan that was previously provided by Natixis, the company said. The Aguascalientes project was awarded a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) during the 2016 inaugural Mexico energy auction. Electricity generated by the plant will be sold to Comisión Federal de Electricidad, under a 15-year PPA for energy and capacity, and 20-year for Clean Energy Certificates. The solar power plant will utilize over 200,000 high-efficiency CS6U-PMax Power modules supplied by Canadian Solar and is expected to begin its commercial operations before the end of December 2018. Commenting on the funding, Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar, said, “We are pleased to partner with Bancomext and Banco Sabadell to support Mexico’s goal of reaching 35% renewable energy by 2024. He further added that “We already have a 436 MWp late-stage pipeline with contracted PPAs in Mexico. These solar projects will enable Canadian Solar to create many local jobs across the Aguascalientes, Hermosillo, and Obregón regions.”

EBRD TO PUMP €15 MN FOR GREEN INFRA IN CRAIOVA The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be providing €15 million long-term loan to pump key urban projects in Craiova city of Romania. The move will benefit around three lakh people of the city. The Bank will finance the rehabilitation of 14 public buildings and the acquisition of up to 40 buses that are fully compliant with the EU’s Euro-6 emissions standards. As a result, Craiova will achieve considerable energy and CO2 savings, improving the environment and the quality of life in the city. Craiova is one of the largest cities in Romania. The EBRD has previously

financed improvements in the city’s water and wastewater system and has helped develop a sustainable urban mobility plan. This new financing is part of the EBRD’s Green Cities programme, which builds on the Bank’s two decades of experience investing in municipal and environmental infrastructure. Under this programme, the EBRD will help Craiova develop a Green

City Action plan which will look at ways to invest in greener transport, water and waste management, so as to improve the urban environment and people’s lives. Commenting on the development, EBRD, Director for Environmental and Municipal Infrastructure, Susan Goeransson said, “Craiova is the first Romanian city to join our Green Cities programme and I am looking forward to working together on a Green City Action Plan. Its implementation will benefit all living in Craiova.” Since the EBRD started operations in Romania, the Bank has invested over EUR 8 billion in more than 400 projects in the country. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

FINANCE UPDATES

NABARD INKS $100MN PACT WITH GREEN CLIMATE FUND Pushing for rooftop solar in India, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has signed an agreement with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to infuse $100 million into an ambitious project designed to unlock private sector initiatives for creation of rooftop solar power capacity across India. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of ongoing COP24 in Katowice, Poland. According to the NABARD, “The USD 250 million project, to be executed by Tata Cleantech Capital Ltd, will receive the GCF support through NABARD, which is the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for the UNFCC-promoted Fund that supports the efforts of developing

countries to respond to the challenge of climate change.” The agreement with GCF was signed by Shri Shankar A Pande, Chief General Manager, NABARD in the presence of A K Mehta, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). India has an ambitious vision of creating 100 GW solar power capacities. NABARD has been financing solar power projects and installations in various other programs as well. Earlier, the apex development bank held deliberations on financing climate resilient agriculture with global experts at the international climate change conference in a bid to showcase India’s

commitment to fight climate change. There was a consensus on the need for replication of NABARD’s initiatives like watershed development, tribal development through wadi (small orchard-based farming) to empower rural communities in the developing world against the climate crisis. Apart from GCF, NABARD is the NIE for Adaptation Fund of UNFCC and National Adaption Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) of GoI. These funding mechanisms are being used to aid the interventions of several state governments in the areas of water, irrigation, fisheries, dairy farming, renewables in agriculture, coastal ecosystem, etc.

FREEDOM SOLAR LAUNCHES SOLAR FINANCING VEHICLE

NEPCO GETS $265 MN EBRD LOAN TO BOLSTER JORDAN’S RE

Freedom Solar Financial Services, the first solar financial vehicle of its kind in Texas, has raised an initial round of USD 7.5 million in funding to finance commercial solar projects. The company said in a statement that financing through it allows companies to finance up to 70 percent of the cost of an entire solar installation and ensures that an investment in solar is cash-flow positive from day one. Freedom offers a simple one-page application and a rapid one-week underwriting process. The Freedom Financing program is based on more than a decade of experience working with hundreds of business owners to make solar work for them, it added. Securing financing for commercial solar projects, which can be key to creating an attractive investment profile for onsite solar generation, can be difficult and complicated. Commenting on the development, Freedom Solar, CEO, Bret Biggart said, “Finding a financial services product that works well for businesses is a challenge because the asset class and economic drivers of solar are unique.” “Freedom understands solar and what our clients need. We are stepping in to make capital available for companies who want to go solar in a way that maximizes their return on investment,” Biggart added. “With the deadline looming for the 30 percent tax credit, we are seeing greater interest from businesses who have been on the fence about solar for a while,” says Kyle Frazier, Chief Revenue Officer at Freedom Solar. “Our waiting list for 2019 installations is already beginning to build, and people are realizing that the time to get started with solar is now.”

Multilateral developmental investment lender European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a USD 265 million loan to Jordan’s National Electric Power Company (NEPCO). After the successful deployment of the first rounds of renewable energy in Jordan, the Bank is supporting the country in its next important step to boost the role of renewables in the energy mix. Further, the loan will strengthen NEPCO’s balance sheet through refinancing of existing short-term debt and will fund vitally needed investments to enhance the capability of the grid to absorb and manage renewable power.Alongside the loan, the Jordanian government, NEPCO and EBRD have agreed on an ambitious programme of reforms that will strengthen NEPCO’s governance and operations. This will be supported by grantfunded technical cooperation assignments. The construction of new substations, automated grid management systems and transmission infrastructure will improve the integration of green energy into the national electricity network. As a result, solar energy generated in the north and south of Jordan will be able to feed into the grid and be directed towards areas with high demand, such as the capital Amman. NEPCO has been at the heart of Jordan’s remarkable renewable revolution, which leads the way in using private capital and skills to unlock the country’s great wind and solar resources. Since the start of its operations in Jordan in 2012, the EBRD has provided over EUR 1 billion in 40 projects, including more than USD 466 million of loans to 12 projects within the country’s power and energy sector. The Bank has also invested more than EUR 12 billion in 306 projects in this sector in the economies where it invests.

42 JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

FINANCE UPDATES

D.LIGHT RAISES $41 MILLION FROM CONSORTIUM

UK GOVT GIVES £100 MILLION FOR RE PROJECTS IN AFRICA

d.light, a distributed solar provider has secured a funding of USD 41 million to finance its solar and appliances business. The equity financing was raised from a Consortium led by Inspired Evolution, an Africa-focused investment advisory firm that specializes in the energy sector. Consortium partners include the Dutch Development Bank FMO, as well as governmentsponsored investment funds Swedfund and Norfund. The current round of funding takes the total funding d.light has raised in the past two year to over $100 million. “We are thrilled to have Inspired Evolution as the newest funding partner in the d.light family,” said d.light co-founder and CEO Ned Tozun. “Their energy expertise and strong network add significant value to the work of d.light, allowing us to expand our product line, launch in new markets, and reach more customers.” Wayne Keast, Managing Partner, at Inspired Evolution said, “We are excited to partner with d.light, the market leader in the portable solar product and off-grid solar home system market, to support the expansion of their Pay-Go solar business throughout Africa which will help address the needs of more than 600 million people that do not have access to electricity.” With a strong emphasis on product quality and customer service since its earliest days, d.light has built up a loyal customer base in emerging markets.

UK Government has earmarked a fund of £100 million for the development of renewable energy projects in Africa. The new investment triples funds for the Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP), to support up to 40 more renewable energy projects over the next 5 years. The new funding could unlock an extra £156 million of private finance into renewable energy markets in Africa by 2023. As per the statement, “Developers of small-scale solar, wind, hydro and geothermal projects will be supported to harness each country’s natural resources, and the electricity generated is expected to provide 2.4 million people a year with new or improved access to clean energy.” “Power produced from new projects funded is expected to save around 3 million tonnes of carbon over their lifetime, compared with fossil fuel generation – the equivalent to the emissions from burning 21,000 railway cars of coal or from 800,000 cars in a year,” the press release further added. Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry said, “this £100 million will help communities harness the power of their natural resources to provide hundreds of thousands of people with electricity for the first time. Building these clean, reliable sources of energy will also create thousands of quality jobs in these growing green economies.” The new investment is in addition to £48 million previously committed to the REPP. The programme is already supporting 18 renewable energy projects in a range of countries from Tanzania to Burundi.

THREE ESSENTIAL ‘S’S OF CLIMATE FINANCE On the sidelines of COP 24 to UNFCCC in Poland, the Department of Economic Affairs has released a discussion paper entitled ‘3 Essential ‘S’s of Climate Finance - Scope, Scale and Speed: A Reflection’. The discussion paper examines analytically the scope, scale and speed required in climate finance. While the financial requirements of developing countries run into trillions of dollars, the commitments made by the developed countries for enhancement and support in relation to climate finance is not clearly translated into reality. The Ministry of Finance stated in a notification that, equally important is the issue of reporting and tracking of climate finance. The discussion paper finds serious concerns with the various numbers on climate finance reported by the developed countries. It further added that, definitions of climate change finance used in various reports

were not consistent with the UNFCCC provisions. Methodologies used were also questionable, the Ministry said. Finance Ministry further added that, this paper attempts to identify the essential elements, step by step, for a robust and transparent accounting of climate finance flows from developed to developing countries. The climate change issues have taken centre-stage in the recent times with various scientific reports pointing to the serious effects of climate change and global warming.

The release further said that, the urgency for global climate action cannot be over emphasised. While the developing countries like India have been taking many actions against climate change and adapting to its adverse effects best to their own abilities and national circumstances, as mandated in the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, the climate actions of developing countries have to be supported by climate finance flows from developed to developing countries. Yet the progress achieved is not quite satisfactory. Meanwhile, the parties at CoP 24 in Katowice in December 2018 need to address these important questions on climate finance. While India will continue to play its constructive role at CoP 24 to UNFCCC at Katowice, it is hoped that this Reflection paper will be of utility to stakeholders during deliberations therein. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

THE CONVERSATION

VIRAJ GADA

IDEF Spokesperson & India Regional Representative, GOGLA INDIA HAS POTENTIAL TO BECOME GLOBAL LEADER FOR DISTRIBUTED STANDALONE SOLAR SOLNS India with its huge local market and strong manufacturing capabilities also has the potential to become the global market leader for distributed stand-alone solar solutions by leading the way in technology as well as business innovations in the sector. There is also massive potential for local manufacturing and exporting to the rest of the world, believes Viraj Gada, IDEF Spokesperson & India Regional Representative, GOGLA, a global association for the off-grid solar energy industry and India Distributed Energy Forum and Expo (IDEF) is organized by GOGLA along with International Finance Corporation’s Lighting Asia/ India program and Ashden India Collective to chart the business-driven route for the distributed standalone solar products in India. In conversation with Manu Tayal, Sub Editor, Saur Energy International, Gada shared his views on various topics. Following are the excerpts from that exclusive interview.

Kindly tell our readers more about GOGLA’s efforts towards scaling the off-grid electrification market in India.

GOGLA enhanced its India activities via an India Regional Representative in August 2017. Since then as part of our global strategy of working with national associations in each country, we have been working closely with CLEAN – a national renewable energy association in India to share our global expertise and strengthen CLEAN to effectively represent the distributed renewable energy sector in general and distributed stand-alone solar energy sector in particular. GOGLA initiated an India Working Group for distributed stand-alone solar energy companies to provide a platform for knowledge and information exchange within the private sector and to create a consensus on key issues affecting the sector which could in turn be taken up by GOGLA with the Indian government on behalf of the sector. Some of the key issues discussed and taken up have been the recent import duty on solar panels, import rules for solar components and BIS standards for solar lanterns. IDEF is also an initiative by GOGLA along with its co-organizers - International Finance Corporation’s Lighting Asia/ India and Ashden India Collective to organize for the first time in India, a focused and targeted event for the distributed stand-alone solar energy sector. The event provides an opportunity to innovative companies in the sector to showcase their products and services to all important stakeholders.

Why you have chosen India? What scope do you see here?

44 JANUARY 2019

India is the single largest country market for the distributed stand-alone solar energy sector in the world and contributes to 1/3rd of the global market for the sector. As per GOGLA’s SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

latest (Jan-Jun 2018) Global Semi-Annual Sales and Impact Data report 1.33 million products were sold in India in the first half of 2018 (as reported by GOGLA members). According to a recent GOGLA supported study, the current annual value of product of the distributed stand-alone solar products sector is INR 38,594 million (USD 576 million). This includes both government driven (subsidy based) sales and private sales. The private driven segment is INR 6,839million (USD 102 million) and is expected to grow at a rate of 8% over the next 5 years and has a potential to have an accelerated growth of 17% per annum. The value of this segment alone is 0.5% of the Indian consumer durable market.

In your view, how much is the potential of solar energy in India?

The National Institute of Solar Energy in India (pdf) has determined the country’s solar power potential at about 750 GW, a recently released document by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) shows. India’s current solar power installed capacity is around 3 GW, or less than 0.5% of the estimated potential. Naturally there exists a massive opportunity to tap this potential. The Government has upscaled the target of renewable energy capacity to 175 GW by the year 2022 which includes 100 GW from solar.

Do you see any bottlenecks in the renewable energy space with respect to India?

Some of the challenges for the renewable energy space; specifically, for the distributed stand-alone solar solutions are as follows: • Lack of adequate awareness for renewable energy among

THE CONVERSATION

policymakers as well as consumers • Preference given only to the cost (and not the environmental factors) by Indian consumers • More Government focus on traditional means of generation backed by heavy subsidies, in turn, shifting the scales towards non-renewable sources of energy • Non-supportive taxation via import duties and GST which could have otherwise given a strong boost to stand-alone solar solutions • Lack of globally harmonized standards and checks – leading to infiltration of low quality products in the market, in turn resulting in negative perception of solar solutions in general in the minds of users

How do you see the future of distributed solar market in India and what role can private sector play in it? India with its huge population and diverse geography needs a multitude of solutions to enable reliable, modern, universal energy access for all its citizens. Distributed stand-alone solar solutions are perfectly placed in aiding the Government of India’s efforts in providing 24 X 7 quality energy access to all which was also seen in Government’s “Saubhagya” scheme where solar home systems were considered as a viable solution for providing energy access to remote households. Distributed stand-alone solar solutions can also play a big role in providing back-up to the main grid which currently is facing transition and distribution losses of more than 30% resulting into power cuts. The growing aspirations of consumers require innovative, decentralized, efficient solutions which can provide on-demand energy access. Apart from household level energy access, distributed stand-alone solar solutions would also play a big role in supporting productiveuse applications through efficient appliances

including solar pumps for agriculture, other solar-powered agri-processing machines, solar freezers for refrigeration of produce, etc. India with its huge local market and strong manufacturing capabilities also has the potential to become the global market leader for distributed stand-alone solar solutions by leading the way in technology as well as business innovations in the sector. There is also massive potential for local manufacturing and exporting to the rest of the world. According to a recent GOGLA supported study, the current annual value of product of the distributed stand-alone solar products sector is INR 38,594 million (USD 576 million). This includes both government driven (subsidy based) sales and private sales. The private driven segment is INR 6,839 million (USD 102 million) and is expected to grow to at a rate of 8% over the next 5 years and has a potential to have an accelerated growth of 17% per annum. The value of this segment alone is 0.5% of the Indian consumer durable market. India and France came together at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris (November 2015) to launch the International Solar Alliance (ISA). It has evolved into a coalition of 121 countries and aims to drive adoption of solar energy as well as assist its member countries in meeting their energy requirements in a clean and affordable manner. Under the ISA Framework agreement, the international body aims to achieve the following objectives through collective ambition: (a) address key risks affecting the adoption of solar energy, (b) provide affordable finance at scale, and (c) mobilize $1,000 billion of

VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

THE CONVERSATION

investments by 2030. The Government of India has committed INR 1,750 million for setting up of ISA and expects the India industry players to leverage the ISA platform to engage with the global market.

of distributed stand-alone solar solutions globally is as follows: • 214.8 million people who have ever lived in a household with improved energy access • 51 million metric tons of CO2 and black carbon averted due to reduction in kerosene use (in CO2e), • $3.5 billion additional income generated • 22.8 million kerosene lanterns no longer in use because users have replaced them with solar lighting • $8.4 billion amount of savings on energyrelated expenditure • 4.5 million people currently undertaking more economic activity • 2.5 million people using their system to support an enterprise or income generating activities • 2.4 million people spending more time working

Are there any new policy initiatives and/or support you think should be taken by the government? Please explain. The current government has taken several key, commendable steps in supporting solar energy in general and bringing the focus on household level electrification for the first time in several years. It has considered the role of distributed stand-alone solar solutions in its “Saubhagya” scheme, launched and led the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and provided various subsidy schemes over the last decade to push for distributed standalone solar solutions. But, distributed stand-alone solar solutions now needs to be included in the electrification policy and accepted as a mainstream energy solution as the sector has proven its impact, sustainability and reliability. Distributed stand-alone solar solutions can help and support the government’s efforts in providing viable solutions to the growing aspirations and energy needs of Indian consumers and support various heavy loads in the agricultural sector which the current weak grid might not be able to support. Thus, the distributed stand-alone solar solutions sector needs government acceptance as a mainstream energy solution and support with regards to clear and preferred tax rates to give a boost to the entire sector by reducing overall costs. There is also a need for effective quality check and standardization to enable entry of high quality global products into India and opening the pathway for Indian manufacturers to sell their products across global markets where only global quality standards are accepted.

How does GOGLA helping India in achieving its commitment towards climate change/ Sustainable Development Goal 7?

JANUARY 2019

The distributed stand-alone solar solutions will help India reduce its carbon footprint by adopting renewable, sustainable and modern energy mechanisms. As per GOGLA’s latest (Jan-Jun 2018) Global Semi-Annual Sales and Impact Data report, the impact SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

While the above impact numbers are at a global level, India contributed to 1/3rd of the global sales, thus, it would be fair to attribute at least 33% of the above impact numbers to India. Thus, distributed stand-alone solar solutions help governments achieve several UN SDGs and also aid in meeting global climate commitment.

The growing aspirations of consumers require innovative, decentralized, efficient solutions which can provide ondemand energy access.

How off-grid solar energy will transform the energy generation in India?

Distributed stand-alone solar solutions can also play a big role in providing back-up to the main grid which currently is facing transition and distribution losses of more than 30% resulting into power cuts. The growing aspirations of consumers require innovative, decentralized, efficient solutions which can provide on-demand energy access. Apart from household level energy access, distributed stand-alone solar solutions would also play a big role in supporting productive-use applications through efficient appliances including solar pumps for agriculture, other solar-powered agri-processing machines, solar freezers for refrigeration of produce, etc. India with its huge local market and strong manufacturing capabilities also has the potential to become the global market leader for distributed stand-alone solar solutions by leading the way in technology as well as business innovations in the sector. There is also massive potential for local manufacturing and exporting to the rest of the world.

INNOVATION UPDATES

LPU STUDENTS CREATE SOLAR POWERED DRIVERLESS BUS In a proud development, students from various department of Lovely Professional University (LPU) have recently designed and built a driverless car which is powered using solar energy. The first prototype of the bus will be used to ferry PM Narendra Modi to the Indian Science Congress venue which will be held in LPU campus on January 3, 2019. The bus is set to enter commercial operation later. The Chancellor of LPU, Ashok Mittal said, “The driverless bus is another example of LPU students being at the forefront of technology. Some other interesting projects done by LPU students include Flying Farmer, a wireless sensor device, exclusively used in farming and field survey, Formula one car and Go-karts.” After its successful commercial launch, the bus will be used in multiple places such as educational institutions, housing societies, airports and industrial complexes. The bus has been designed keeping in

mind the conditions of India roads and each bus is slated to cost around Rs 6 lakh. Since the bus runs on solar power, the cost of operating the vehicle will be fairly negligible. With a seating capacity of up to 30 people the bus can zoom at 30 KM/H. The technology powering the driverless function of the bus is called Vehicle-toVehicle (V2V) communication which

uses wireless signals detected through ultra-sonic & Infrared sensors. Dr Sorabh Lakhanpal, Dean of Students’ Welfare, LPU said, “We are at a point where we should shift to renewable fuel options and solar energy is one of the most sustainable types of energy. We have tried to merge the concept of renewable energy fueled vehicle with the precision of a driverless bus.”

SOLAR WATER BAG TO PROVIDE PEROVSKITE SLATED TO REVOLUTIONISE SOLAR INDUSTRY CLEAN DRINKING WATER Two Danish architecture on a path to find solution to the problem of clean drinking water have developed a plastic bottle water purification system which uses solar energy. The bottle known as ‘SolarSack’ is not only environment friendly but also inexpensive. The concept of the product has already been put to test in villages, refugee camps and slums in Eastern Africa, where its market is. The two Danish citizens who have designed the bottle are students of architecture and design, Anders Løcke and Louise Ullmann. The bottle designed by them can hold up to four liters of water which can be treated using the sun’s radiation for dirt and bactaria. While running tests in Kenya and Uganda, the team, along with participation from local humanitarian organizations, found that under the direct heat of the sunlight for about four hours, between 99.99 and 99.999% bacteria are eliminated. The bag has been approved by the World Health Organization and costs less than a dollar. The bag can also be reused 150 times giving it a long life. According to researchers, 80% diseases in this region come from lack of access to clean drinking water. Therefore the manufacturers have taken a decision to distribute these bottles all through East Africa.

Silicon based solar panels which have been in use since the last five decades are soon about to get a tough competition from a new material in development called perovskite. The silicon based panel had a conversion rate of about 2% in the last century which has now increased to a 20% in the average household solar panel. High end solar panels which also cost a lot higher give an energy conversion rate of about 30%. Perovskite, which uses a hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide based material as the light harvesting active layer could have a conversion rate as high as 37%. Oxford PV, a company based in the UK is researching on the new material and if proved to be efficient for production, could bring the next revolution in the solar industry. The abundant and inexpensive material can be sprayed or painted on any surface with ease and could bring down the cost of solar panel by 50% of what they cost today. Not needing bulky mounting system, the material has applications in all avenues like buildings, vehicles, sidewalks, or vehicles. Oxford PV recently got a funding from the UK Government to continue its research, similarly Swift Solar last week filed a statement with the US’s Securities & Exchange Commission informing that they have received a funding of $7 million to develop Perovskite. VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

OPED

Energy Storage Systems: Its role today will guide the future tomorrow!

Sunil Rathi

Director Sales & Marketing | Waaree Energies ltd Energy Storage System (ESS) has been known to mankind since few years now. However in the decade, a considerable amount of money has been spent in upgrading existing and/or developing new systems. This is partly because of the fact that such systems are poised to double six times only in the next 15 years i.e. from 2016 to 2030 reaching almost up to 125GW/305GWh (Figure 1). ESS is simple terms means any system/technology which is capable of storing excess energy and releasing it when required. The types of ESS available in the market are of electrical, mechanical, thermal, chemical, etc. in nature. The storage type today with maximum market penetration are batteries. While we informed you on the technicalities of battery storage in our previous blog â&#x20AC;&#x153;Importance & Reliability of storageâ&#x20AC;?, we thought it was important to educate our readers on what actually would be the role of ESS (and how would they help such plants) with reference to renewable energy power plants. Additionally with various Indian states drafting the Deviation settlement mechanism regulation this year, it can be easily assumed that ESS would be of prime importance to all the renewable energy generators for various reasons. This blog hence aims to educate its readers on role of ESS and its importance to the national grid.

48 JANUARY 2019

Figure 1: Capacity of global cumulative storage installations (Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance)

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

OPED

ESS as we mentioned above is of great importance to both Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Wind energy generating plants. A main reason that is attributed to this is that both these generating sources are intermittent in nature. ESS thus helps such sources in following ways: 1) Ramp rate control & Output smoothening: A ramp may be defined as an event in which there is a change in power in a fixed time frame. If the change in power is positive, this event is known as ramp-up event. Similarly if the change in power is negative, it is known as ramp-down event. The rate at which this ramp event occurs is known as ramp rate, which is usually considered for a minute and hence its unit MW/minute. The conventional power producers (due to their ability to control input fuel) have a considerable control over their ramp rates. However the renewable energy sources due to uncontrollable factor such as cloud cover, sudden change in weather conditions may have significant effect on its power output. It is seen that close to 30 – 80% of power output in a minute may be lost in such cases. Ramp rate are usually of prime interest to grid operators, as they are the ones who ensure that the demand and supply ratio is maintained at almost all the times. In case of sudden spike or surge in power, congestion in electric conductors may damage the grid. The ESS in such case can release or absorb energy thus reducing the speed of variation at the injection point. Also as evident Figure 2, the ESS also helps to smoothen the power output i.e. it compensates of spikes and sags so that the generation remains within the scheduled range.

Figure 2: Ramp rate control with use of storage (Source: Saft)

2) Peak Shaving: India has had a typical power consumption curve with a peak consumption (which is normally much higher than base demand) almost between 8 am to 12 pm and from 6 pm to 10 pm. This means that the grid operators/ generators need to produce extra power to keep the demand within limits. While few (generating) plants can provide such extra power (like hydro power) instantaneously, other plants need adequate time to start their extra generating assets. Few plants also have spinning

reserves up running continuously to provide extra power as and when needed. Renewable plants now in order to supply (almost) constant source of power have (generally) battery or any other form of ESS. This helps renewable energy plants to mitigate the extra load. Known as Peak Shaving, it also helps the end consumer meet its demand from the ESS while curbing the need of purchasing energy at higher tariffs. This enables that the customers who install on-site generating and ESS equipment receive power at reduced rates year round.

Figure 3: Peak shaving (Source: Google images)

3) Frequency and Power-factor Regulation: Both frequency and power factor are important grid indicator. While frequency indicates the exact match between demand and supply, power factor indicates the quality of power flowing through the grid. ESS ensures stability in grid by dispatching or absorbing active power as and when required. This ensures that the share of renewable energy in the entire energy mix of country is increased to a substantial amount. The operation of ESS however here are dependent on the number and frequency of variations in the grid power. These variations are typically of short duration which ensures ESS regulates the grid power by maintaining it within permissible limits. With almost major power consumer and renewable energy producer states (like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu) drafted out the Deviation settlement mechanism for renewable energy generators, the usage of ESS has become mandate. This regulation shall applicable to both existing and upcoming plants within these state. In these regulations, the generator has to give a day ahead and three days ahead schedule each day. Such forecast could only be changed 8 times & 16 times (For Gujarat – number may vary state-wise) for solar & wind energy generators in 96 time blocks (15 minutes each) per day. Above such revisions and/or if a generator generates more/less energy than they have forecasted, they would be charged with a fixed penalty. While there are software’s and models available which could predict the expected generation but not with expected confidence limits. This sets the path of ESS which would be of prime importance once these regulation are in full effect across the country. Let us all pledge to make solar energy the primary source of energy in the near future. n VOL 3 l ISSUE 05 | SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL

JANUARY 2019

MARKET UPDATES

GLOBAL WARMING MAY DIP INDIA’S WIND POWER POTENTIAL The warming of the Indian Ocean, caused by global climate change, may be causing a slow decline in wind power potential in India, according to a new study from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Harvard China Project. India, the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the United States, is investing billions in wind power and has set the ambitious goal to double its wind power capacity in the next five years. The majority of wind turbines are being built in southern and western India to best capture the winds of the Indian Summer Monsoon, the seasonal weather pattern that brings heavy rains and winds to the Indian subcontinent. However, the researchers found that the Indian monsoon is weakening as a result of warming waters in the Indian Ocean, leading to a steady decline in wind-generated power. “We found that although India is investing heavily in wind power to tackle climate change and air pollution issues, the benefits of these substantial investments are vulnerable to the changing climate,” said Meng Gao, a postdoctoral fellow at SEAS and the Harvard China Project and first author of the study. The research, published in Science Advances, calculates the wind power potential in India over the past four decades and finds that trends in wind power are tied to the strength of the Indian Summer Monsoon. In fact, 63 percent of the annual energy production from wind in India comes from the monsoon winds of spring and summer. Over the past 40 years, that energy potential has declined about 13 percent,

suggesting that as the monsoon weakened, wind power systems installed during this time became less productive. Western India, including the Rajasthan and Maharashtra states, where investment in wind power is the highest, has seen the steepest decline over that time period. However, other regions, particularly in eastern India, saw smaller or no decline. “Our findings can provide suggestions on where to build more wind turbines to minimize the influences of climate change,” said Michael B. McElroy, the Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies and senior author of the study. Meanwhile, the researchers aim to explore what will happen to wind power potential in India in the future, using projections from climate models.

FRANCE TOP DESTINATION FOR RE INVESTMENT IN G20

JANUARY 2019

France has overtaken Germany as the most lucrative destination for renewable energy investment in the G20 bloc, Allianz Climate and Energy Monitor 2018 has found. “France gains the 1st position due to an overall favorable environment for renewables, leading the G20 in investment attractiveness of renewables. Germany falls back one rank due to a drop in the quality of the overall policy environment for renewables and some deficiencies in policy design, as does the UK,“ the report said. The report further mentioned that, “Overall, with four European countries on top of the list, Europe still leads the way in providing attractive conditions for investing in renewables.” The research was jointly conducted by by the Allianz, NewClimate Institute and SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

Germanwatch in the third year. Continued strong policy signals and market certainty will be crucial for providing the private sector with the conducive environment it needs to ratchet up the deployment of renewables, the report indicated.

Despite high scores for several countries, no single country is yet close to becoming a role model. All countries still have considerable room for improving investment conditions to deploy renewables at the scale needed to reach Paris targets. The report categorically summarizes that, among the G20, only Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the UK and the US formally submitted a long-term decarbonization strategy that extends to 2050 to the United Nation’s body responsible for climate change issues (UNFCCC). Of these, only the UK’s strategy proposes a full decarbonization of the power sector. The current US government no longer supports its own strategy, after stating its clear intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017.

MARKET UPDATES

TARIFF PUTTING A DENT ON THE US SOLAR INDUSTRY The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China has put a dent on the Solar Industry in the US according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industry Association and Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables. Utility-scale projects worth $8 billion are either cancelled or are put on hold for a five year period ending in 2022. The report also mentioned that 9000 jobs mainly in construction or engineering were either not added, or lost due to the tariffs. US President Donald Trump in January had imposed a tariff of up to 30% on most imported solar cells used in panels with an aim to boost domestic manufacturing market. The tariff will eventually phase out starting the decline after four years. Dan Whitten, spokesman for the Solar Energy Industry Association, the solar industry’s main trade group said that projects were cancelled during the time before announcement owing to the unpredictability of the rate of tariff. “People kind of deferred planning,” Whitten said. “They decided not to go forward with projects because of that uncertainty.” Just about 10% of the solar panels installed in the US are made

locally, Whitten informed. Cypress Creek Renewables canceled or postponed solar projects worth $1.5 billion which were planned for 2018 through 2020 because the tariff made the cost of solar energy uncompetitive when compared to other sources of energy.

INDIA’S SOLAR CAPACITY ADDITION SLOW IN H1 2018

GROWTH OF INDIAN SOLAR CAPACITY SLOWING DOWN

The unpredictability in the solar industry caused by fluctuating tenders, lackluster response to auctions coupled with the issues related to GST and safeguard duty have caused a slowdown in the July-September period of 2018, experts have said. Consulting firm Bridge To India’s latest report says that solar capacity of utility scale witnessed an addition of 1.2 GW in the said period, taking the total capacity addition in H1 FY 2018 to 1.9 GW. Bridge To India’s Managing Director Vinay Rustagi said that “Indian solar market has grown spectacularly over the last four years but is struggling to sustain because of policy and execution challenges. The slowdown is worrying for all stakeholders.” “These numbers are down 43 per cent and 44 per cent over respective periods in 2017,” the report further claimed. Vinay Rustagi further mentioned that the “industry is witnessing increasing volatility in tender issuance, auctions and capacity addition because of poor coordination between different government agencies and constraints in transmission capacity and land acquisition”. Commenting on safeguard duty and on the issues created by the GST Rustagi said that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has “not helped matters by failing to decisively address GST and safeguard duty issues”. He further mentioned that, “Arbitrary ceiling tariffs and poor tender design have resulted in tenders getting routinely cancelled and/or undersubscribed. As a result, gap between tenders issued and auctions completed has been widening in 2017.”

India’s solar capacity which had been witnessing a continual growth over the last four year took a slump in 2018 because of policy challenges and struggles in execution of the projects. Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director of consulting firm Bridge To India, said that, “We expect 2018 to end with total solar installation of about 8.2 gigawatt (GW). This capacity includes 1.5 GW of rooftop solar. Compared to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) annual target of 16 GW for the current fiscal, we are really far below the expected rate.” According to Bridge To India’s latest report, India’s total solar capacity touched 27.4 GW by the end of September 2018. This includes 23.2 GW utility scale solar, 3.4 GW rooftop solar and 0.8 GW off-grid solar. “The Indian solar market has grown spectacularly over last four years but was struggling to sustain because of policy and execution challenges,” he said. India has set an ambitious target of installing 100 GW solar capacity by the year 2022, out of this only 26% of the target has been achieved. Out of this large scale projects have accounted for 89% and rooftop installations make for the rest of 11% of India’s solar capacity. India’s solar installations have slowed in the July to September period in 2018 mainly because of challenges in issuing tenders, auctions and issues related to GST and safeguard duties. Rustagi said, “Despite the announcement of a 5 per cent rate by the central government, administering authorities have levied different rates and as a result, the capital costs have gone up by 7-9 per cent. The main impact has been delay in implementation and deterioration in project profitability.”

JANUARY 2019

SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

International Organization

ORGANISING

Inviting Exhibitors: Min. Stall Size 9 Sq Meter @ INR 1 LAKH LEAD SPONSOR

EXHIBITION FOCUS Industry with highest number of innovative solar product Industry with most versatile solar product Industry with most suitable solar product for remote locations

O T H E R AT T R AC T I O N S Innovation Awards Skill Competition Awards Entrepreneurship Awards International and National Leading Speakers on Subject

MARKET UPDATES

INDIA TO ADD 10GW RE CAPACITY IN 2020: ICRA Renewable energy capacity addition can be expected to be around 10000 MW in financial year 2019-2020, rating agency Icra has said while maintaining a stable outlook for the renewable energy sector. The current trend prediction comes on the back of the fact that the share of renewable energy has been steadily rising in India’s energy mix which increased from 5.6% in FY2015 to 7.8% in 2018. “This rise is owing to the large-sized capacity addition in the wind and solar power segments during this period, driven by policy support from central and state governments as well as the significantly improved tariff competitiveness of wind and solar power vis-a-vis conventional power sources,” Icra said. Icra group head - corporate ratings

Sabyasachi Majumdar said that the tendering process and the awarded projects provide a reasonable healthy

outlook for the addition of renewable energy capacity. “This is expected to increase the share of RE in the all India generation to 10 percent by FY2020 and further to 13 percent by FY2022 based on capacity addition forecasts. We have maintained a year-end stable outlook for the domestic renewable energy sector,” he added. However, Icra also pointed out that wind and solar segment remain exposed to certain near-term challenges such as the cost impact of safeguard duty couple with the availability of transmission network. “However, notwithstanding these cost pressures, wind and solar PV (photovoltaic) energy projects are likely to remain cost competitive against conventional power sources,” Icra said.

INDIA ADDS RECORD 1,538MW INDIA’S ENERGY NEEDS TO SOLAR ROOFTOP BY SEP TRIPLE BY 2040: WORLD BANK

JANUARY 2019

Pioneering as a leader in solar energy, India installed a record 1,538 MW of solar rooftop in the year ended September 30, 2018, bringing the total rooftop solar capacity to 3,399 MW, according to a report by consulting firm Bridge to India. The report said that the solar capacity is expected to reach 15.3 GW by March 2022 in a scenario where the growth takes place at the current rate without any change. India’s target for solar rooftop is 40 GW by 2022. Commercial and industrial installation is dominating the market with a share of 70%, the report said while also mentioning that the residential segment is lagging behind with just 9%. The study also highlighted that Maharashtra (473 MW), Tamil Nadu (312 MW), Karnataka (272 MW), Rajasthan (270 MW) and Uttar Pradesh (223 MW) are the top five states accounting for 54 per cent share of the total market. The report further mentioned that the CAPEX market is even getting more fragmented with top 10 players having a share of only 18 per cent (21 per cent last year). The top 3 players include Tata Power (4.4 per cent), Mahindra (2 per cent) and Sunsure (2 per cent). Chinese players are having a command in the invertor sector with a combined share of 43%, the repot highlighted. Managing Director of Bridge to India, Vinay Rustagi said, “75 per cent growth in a year plagued by safeguard duty and GST uncertainty is absolutely fantastic. Ongoing fall in module (solar) price should continue to drive growth in the next few years.” He further added that, “Rooftop solar has huge growth potential and should be given more policy support particularly when utility scale solar is increasing facing acute land and transmission connectivity challenges.” SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

Energy demand in India will grow 30% between 2018 and 2040, a new report by the World Bank titled Dark: How Much Do Power Sector Distortions Cost South Asia said. In fiscal 2018, when total installed capacity was more than twice the amount of peak demand, peak demand shortage still registered 2.1 percent in India. India and Pakistan lose about a quarter of electricity in the network for both technical and commercial reasons, well above the 10 percent international norm, the report mentioned. Over the decade ending in 2016, India more than doubled their power-generation capacity from 154.7 GW in 2007 to 345.5 GW in 2018, with average annual growth in capacity outstripping annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP), the report mentioned. Access to electricity has been expanded to include more than 115 million people since 2013. On the basis of the difference between regulated and market prices, the International Energy Agency estimates that subsidies in India’s power sector amount to 0.36 percent of GDP. In manufacturing and services combined, the total losses in annual output attributable to power shortages amounted to $22.7 billion in India, in fiscal 2016, the report said. The 2018 Global Competitiveness Report ranks India 80th among 137 economies in the reliability of its electricity supply. India achieved 100 percent village electrification in 2018. But at the household level, its rural access rate, at 81 percent in 2017, is still the third-lowest in South Asia.

NATIONAL EVENTS

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

14TH INTERNATIONAL BATTERY, SOLAR AND LEAD RECYCLING EXHIBITION & SEMINAR

SOLAR EXPO - A WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT EVENT

website : www.batteryfair.co.in

website : www.solarexpo.ae

START DATE : 18-Jan-2019 END DATE : 20-Jan-2019

Location : Noida, India Phone : +91 11 22137081

START DATE : 14-Jan-2019 END DATE : 15-Jan-2019

Location : Abu Dhabi, UAE Phone : +971 2 4090387

E-mail : info@batteryfair.co.in

E-mail : afrina.nasrin@reedexpo.ae

6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION ON ENERGYSTORAGE & MICROGRIDS IN INDIA

THE ENERGY EXPO 2019

website : www.esiexpo.in START DATE : 22-Jan-2019 END DATE : 23-Jan-2019

website : www.theenergyexpo.com START DATE : 23-Jan-2019 END DATE : 24-Jan-2019

Location : New Delhi, India Phone : +91 11 48550059

E-mail : DhumalA@md-india.com

E-mail : mail@TEE2019.com

INDIA SOLAR EXPO 2019

NEPAL SOLAR TODAY EXPO website : www.solartodayexpo.com

website : www.aiss.org.in START DATE : 15-FEB-2019 END DATE : 17-FEB-2019

Location : Miami, Florida, USA Phone : +1 305 4120000

Location : Lucknow, India Phone : +91 522 2720090

START DATE : 28-FEB-2019 END DATE : 02-MAR-2019

E-mail : info@niss.org.in

E-mail : info@solartodayexpo.com

FUTURE ENERGY EXPO 2019

MENA NEW ENERGY 2019

website : www.futureenergyexpo.in Location : Faridabad, India Phone : +91 129 4323518

START DATE : 22-FEB-2019 END DATE : 24-FEB-2019

Location : Kathmandu, Nepal Phone : +91 98201 30615

website : events.newenergyupdate.com/mena/ Location : Dubai, UAE START DATE : 26-MAR-2019 Phone : +971 4 2170000 END DATE : 27-MAR-2019

E-mail : info@futureenergyexpo.in

E-mail : rwatt@newenergyupdate.com

RENEWX 2019

SMART ENERGY CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2019

website : www.renewx.in START DATE : 19-Apr-2019 END DATE : 20-Apr-2019

Location : Hyderabad, India Phone : +91 99404 59444

E-mail : julian.thomas@ubm.com

E-mail : info@smartenergy.org.au

4TH SOLAR INDIA 2019 EXPO

SNEC 13TH INTERNATIONAL PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION & SMART ENERGY CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

website : www.solarindiaexpo.com START DATE : 22-MAY-2019 END DATE : 24-MAY-2019 E-mail : kulbeerg@eigroup.in

website : www.smartenergyexpo.org.au Location : Sydney, Australia START DATE : 02-APR-2019 Phone : +61 1300 768204 END DATE : 03-APR-2019

Location : New Delhi, India Phone : +91 9711 737395

website : www.snec.org.cn START DATE : 03-Jun-2019 END DATE : 05-Jun-2019 E-mail : info@snec.org.cn

Location : Shanghai, China Phone : +86 21 53893020

MILESTONE UPDATES

GINLONG SOLIS INVERTERS GETS SELLO FIDE CERTIFICATION Chinese solar inverter giant Ginlong Solis has achieved the Mexican Sello Fide certification of energy efficiency to conduct successful business in Mexico. FIDE is a non-profit trust in Mexico, an initiative of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and it certifies products which save electricity or enable the efficient use of electricity. The FIDE Seal is granted to products of electrical use which are outstanding in the efficient use of electrical energy, or products and new technologies that contribute to diminish the consumption of energy. Established in 2005, Ginlong Solis is one of the oldest and largest global string inverter specialists that manufacture string inverters for converting DC to AC power and interacting with utility grid, which help reduce the carbon footprint. The company has been awarded the title of “Top Inverter Brand” by the world famous photovoltaic authority research organization “EuPD” for three consecutive years -2016, 2017, 2018. The Sello Fide certification which has been granted to Ginlong Solis is for the following inverters: Solis-Mini-10004G, Solis-Mini-2000-4G, Solis-Mini-3600-4G, Solis-1P2.5K-4G, Solis-1P3K-4G, Solis-1P3.6K-4G, Solis-1P4K-4G, Solis-1P4.6K4G, Solis-1P5K-4G

MNRE CONFERRED THE SKOCH WESTERN RAILWAY'S GETS AWARD AWARDS FOR ENERGY SAVING

JANUARY 2019

Recognizing the pivotal role government plays in pushing green energy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India has been conferred with the Skoch Award for National Significance at an event held in New Delhi. The award was received by Secretary, Ministry of New Renewable Energy Anand Kumar. Considering the impact of the Ministry, its purpose and the critical role played by the government in installing about 73 GW of renewable energy, the Ministry had been selected for the award. Having 21% of total installed capacity in the form of renewable energy, within an year the government was able to harness one billion units of electricity. Presently, India is ranked fourth in the world in wind energy capacity and firth in total solar and renewable power capacity. In a latest push, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had announced its plans for 23 GW of solar projects in Leh and Ladakh regions of Jammu & Kashmir. Solar Energy Corporation of India which is implementing the project, will tender 5000 MW in Leh district and 2500 MW in Kargil district in the Phase-1 of the project. Taking a leadership role in the renewable energy domain, Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh had earlier said that India is ready to share its expertise in renewable energy sector with small island nations again highlighting why Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is of national significance. SAUR ENERGY INTERNATIONAL | VOL 3 l ISSUE 05

Achieving milestones in energy efficiency, the Rajkot Division of Western Railway has received five awards for saving huge amounts on their electricity bills because of using Solar Power. The award which is given out by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the Central Government’s Ministry of Power, recognizes public and private entities for optimum saving of electricity. For its conservation of electricity, Jamnagar railway station and Rajkot railway hospital received award in the second category while Dwarka railway station and Surendranagar railway station received award in the third category. Western Railway said, “These awards have been founded by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency of the central government’s power ministry. They are given to the different private and government sectors for optimum saving of electricity. This year’s awards were given away by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan,” “We have been able to save electricity by the maximum use of solar energy, use of LED, use of the fans that consume minimum electricity, use of star rated air conditions and automatic electricity generation at the railway station. That apart, we carried out a save electricity campaign at the railway station in which we urged our staff to switch off lights and fans when not required,” said P B Ninave, Manager of Rajkot division of the WR.

A Hi -Tech Business Platform For Indian / Nepal Solar - LED & Battery Industry

Solar Electric Manufacturers` Association Nepal

Event Management Partner

.in

DN Events