35 minute read
Stijn Vos
Esdec is still an installer focused company
Ever since it was started in 2004 by two installers, the Netherlands based Esdec has carved a unique niche for itself, focusing on the rooftop solar segment with their mounting systems. The firm has been in the news recently for its acquisition led strategy, especially in the US market. With a focus on the US and Europe till recently, Esdec has finally come to India, in collaboration with the renewable products focused SRPL group, which is based in Mumbai.
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We interviewed Stijn Vos, CEO, Esdec, on their India plans and more.
STIJN VOS CEO, Esdec
Congratulations on the entry into the Indian market. What convinced ESDEC to enter the market? Stijn Vos: Thank you. India is a key solar power leader today. The country’s solar installed capacity reached 33.730 GW as of 31 December 2019. India is on course to be the 2nd biggest market globally to install solar power and will remain in top 3 position for the next 10 years. That made it impossible to ignore the market for us.
As the Indian government policies encourage the renewable energy sector to develop more capacity, we are aiming for 10-15% Indian market share.
Where does ESDEC stand today in terms of global share, total employees and plans for the future? Stijn Vos: Together with our 250 fulltime employees Esdec is currently active around the globe in more than 20 countries. Esdec has a market share of 60% in the US and 25% in Europe. Since Esdec was founded in 2004, over 7GWP of Module Mounting Systems for both flat and sloping roofs have been installed by the firm. By entering the Indian market we want to contribute to providing the most comprehensive portfolio of rooftop solar systems and components.
As a price sensitive market, do you have offerings that you believe can compete effectively in the market? Or will you be looking to market ESDEC solutions to a smaller, targeted user segment? Stijn Vos: Our FlatFix Fusion has a huge demand and interest, it is a quick, fast and reliable yet cost effective mounting system for the Indian market. Esdec offers mounting systems for all roof types which are quick and easy to install with a minimum number of components. Esdec focuses on a total cost of ownership proposition which includes: cost of material supplies cost & weight of ballast installation time cost of cable management material transportation and handling cost availability of the materials 20 year warranty With these propositions our products are highly competitive.
As a player that is very strong globally in the rooftop segment, what are the absolute pre-requisites for the segment to grow in a market? Stijn Vos: Esdec is known for its state-of-the-art innovation centre, R&D strength and intellectual property portfolio. We believe it is important that all our products fit the latest technological developments. That is why we combine international expertise and continuously invest in innovation and R&D. Our mounting systems were extensively tested and meet the strictest safety standards. Expansion to the Indian market will enable us to invest even more heavily and efficiently in new product development. We usually consider stable policies, a large market size, and demand growth among the key factors in any market. India meets these criteria very well.
What are your expectations from the Indian market? Tell us a little more about your key offerings? Stijn Vos: Esdec’s strategy of growth through both acquisition and organic expansion has helped it achieve strong market share in several countries. For India we see great opportunities, as the rooftop segment here grows across segments. With a target for 15 percent marketshare, we have some way to go , so its going to be a very exciting period ahead!
With the close coordination with EPC’s and Installers, how does ESDEC plan to differentiate itself in India? Do they need specific training on your products? Will you be building an exclusive network of installers? Stijn Vos: Esdec offers support for the whole solar project, from design to installation. As Esdec was founded by 2 installers in 2004, it still is an installer focussed company. We are launching a
new training program with online training on installation videos and a weekly webinar. Also we are appointing PAN India installation and commissioning partners and working with distribution partners to make stock available at PAN India to save transportation cost and shorten lead times. As we are providing solutions for residential, commercial & industrial roofs , we are working with EPC, distributors, and I&C partners. Since our entrance to the Indian market, most of our clients have placed repeat orders which shows the satisfaction and commitment of the customers and partners.
Tell us more about SRPL, your India distribution partner, and the nature of the arrangement with them. Stijn Vos: The SRPL-GROUP is a young, dynamic and very motivated service and distribution partner. With the Indian PV market capacity expected to grow over 40% in the next 5 years, Esdec’s balanced product portfolio provides installers and distributors the certainty they need for their supply chain. As the exclusive distributor and service partner of Esdec the Indian PV industry will highly benefit from this cooperation through an enormous pooling of technical and long term know-how and experience of all employees. We have the opportunity to benefit from each others strengths while still remaining focussed on innovation.
PM-KUSUM THE SOLAR SAVIOUR?
The PM-KUSUM scheme seeks to be the ultimate gamechanger for energy security and the rural economy. We examine the early challenges that it is facing, and come to a conclusion. It’s a great idea that will need tweaks to increase coverage, and some key policy interventions to get on schedule. By Prasanna Singh
You know a scheme is truly big, and has generated So just why is the PM-KUSUM scheme generating so much strong interest when scams to take advantage of this interest and dare we say it, excitement? For one, the scale of the interest come up. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja scheme. Suraksha Evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM) According to the ministry, PMKUSUM aims to add solar and falls squarely in this category. Loosely translated as other renewable capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022 with total central the Prime Ministers Mass Mission for Energy Security and financial support of Rs. 34,422 Crore . The Scheme consists of Progress of farmers, not only has PM-KUSUM energised a host of three components. Component A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized stakeholders across the supply chain and its intended beneficiar- Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renewable Power Plants of ies, the ministry in charge, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy individual plant size up to 2 MW. Component B: Installation of (MNRE) has had its hands full, clearing up questions around it. Its 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps of indilatest denial warns people against fraudulent websites that have vidual pump capacity up to 7.5 HP and Component C: Solarisation come up claiming to ensure subsidies, while charging a registra- of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps of individual pump tion fee. The ministry makes it clear that each state has designated capacity up to 7.5 HP. Under Component B, individual farmers will implementing agencies for the scheme. be supported to install standalone solar Agriculture pumps of
capacity up to 7.5 HP. Under the scheme, 20 lakh farmers will be provided subsidy for setting up stand-alone solar pumps. Another 15 lakh farmers to be helped to solarise their grid-connected pump sets. This scheme will enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their barren lands and to sell it to the power grid.
These numbers have been broken up by state, an exercise the MNRE plans to repeat once every year.
The sheer scale means that the scheme offers an opportunity to providers across the supply chain to benefit, if they can meet the government’s tough pricing challenge. Currently the benchmark cost of 1-10 KW solar capacity has been set at Rs 54 per watt. A reduction of RS 6 from the Rs 60 cost from the previous year(2017-18). Interestingly, with EESL in the middle of finalising massive tenders on behalf of the International Solar Alliance, there is every chance of an even lower price discovery, and hence, a further drop in the coming year.
So just what are the big challenges the scheme faces?
Right up there is the matter of domestic availability of equipment itself. While pumps are not a challenge for domestic suppliers, the solar part definitely is. Manish Gupta, Managing Director at Insolation Energy, a participant in KUSUM tenders for Rajasthan, points out that the strict DCR (Domestic Content Requirements) mean that module suppliers trip up on the issue of domestic cells sourcing. “There simply isn’t enough domestic cell manufacturing capacity, unlike say, module making capacity. That means, despite the target of 25,000 for Rajasthan in this year, we have barely reached 1500 installations”. The story is repeated in multiple regions, especially Andhra and Gujarat, where slow pickup has been blamed on the same issue too.
A second issue that has been highlighted is the way the scheme targets its beneficiaries. Thus, be it the relative omission of small and marginal farmers, thanks to the higher focus on pumps of 3 HP and higher capacities, or even solarising existing pumps which can be energy guzzlers, everyone has a view. Dinesh Patidar, CMD of Indore based Shakti Pumps says that “17% of total energy consumption in India is attributed to agriculture pumps. In terms of energy availability, solar is the best choice with advanced technology. Farmers can also switch over to drip irrigation mode which saves water and power with increased crops output. Subsidies were earlier distorting water use, but if farmers are provided with grid connected solar pumps, they will use it judiciously as he can make money on the surplus generation now. Even for stand alone pumps (component B), with predictable solar hours, farmers will not overdraw water “.
On the other hand, many sector experts decry the relative omission of small farmers. Victor Lesniewski, Co-Founder and COO at Pune based Khethworks, which works with small farmers hold-
States wise Allocation of capacities under the three components for implementation during the first year of the KUSUM Program
States
Andhra Pradesh Assam Bihar Chattisgarh Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Meghalaya Mizoram Odisha Punjab Rajasthan Tamil Nadu Telangana Tripura Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand West Bangal Total
Allocation of capacities under
Component A Small RE Projects (MW)
75 DNR DNR 30 75 DNR 10 6 DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR 30 30 75 75 75 5 30 10 DNR 526
Component B Standalone Solar Pumbs (Nos)
25,000 700 2,500 15,000 4,000 15,000 1,700 1,000 10,000 12,600 9,000 1,700 200 1,700 4,500 25,000 25,000 1,000 1,300 15,000 300 700 173,700
Component C Solarization of Grid Connected Pumbs (Nos) 22,000 100 3,200 4,000 18,500 DNR DNR DNR 2,000 5,600 DNR DNR DNR DNR 3,900 12,500 12,500 6,000 1,300 7,500 200 700 100,000
Source: MNRE; Note: DNR (Demand Not Received)
DINESH PATIDAR CMD, Shakti Pumps
ing less than an acre of cultivable land, has a different take. “ We manufacture small solar power pumps. We supply in eastern India. But they don’t fall under the PM Kusum scheme. Our broader observation is that we still don’t see solar pumps reaching farmers who need them the most - marginal farmers . There are some states like Chhattisgarh who have looked at smaller pumps.” Highlighting the need for financing for such small farmers, besides irrigation solutions over just water pumps, Lesniewski is hopeful of a change in scope at some stage to make the scheme more inclusive.
Lesniewski’s view is countered by people pointing to the high subsidy component, as well as the reality
of low water tables, especially in North India and parts of South India, which make small sized pumps limiting for the farmer.
A third issue is as usual with the pressure to keep prices low, even as there is high pressure to deliver not just a robust product but quality service too.
Patidar adds here that “For effective implementation and serious participation by stakeholders, the scheme should be more attractive in terms of benchmark prices in view of the challenges on account of higher costs of implementation and comprehensive maintenance for five years. It also needs to run without diluting products specifications and scheme guidelines for another 10 years.” Timely payments by the government, in terms of subsidy disbursal, which can go upto 90 percent of the cost in states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, is an issue flagged by every stakeholder we spoke to, other than the government.
For Shakti Pumps, which has got an aggregate installed capacity of over 229MW till now, major
Top 5 States and Implementing Agencies: PM-KUSUM With Number of Pumps Allocated
States
Maharashtra
Madhya Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Rajasthan
Haryana
Component A
Maharashtra State Energy Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) (300) Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) (100)
No Demand
Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (325)
Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam Limited, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam Limited (25)
Component B
Maharashtra Energy Development agency (30,000)
MPUVNL (25,000)
Agriculture Engineering Dept,Govt Of Tamil Nadu (17,500)
Horticulture Department, Govt. Of Rajasthan (25,000)
Component C
MSEDCL (9000)
MPUNVL (15,000)
Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (20,000)
Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (12,500)
DNRE (468)
part of which includes KUSUM apart from other solar schemes knows this only too well. “ The scheme holds potential business opportunities to stakeholders but it is challenging to maintain a smooth cash flow in view of the current payment terms. Our expectation from the tendering authorities is better project pricing which will ensure quality of product and after sales services. “, says Patidar. And then there is the issue of power subsidies. Expert after expert that we spoke to highlighted this as a key reason for the slow uptake by farmers, in states ranging Gujarat, to Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. Farmers in poorer eastern states, who get power erratically and would have considered it, are usually too small to make the cut.
Abhishek Jain, Fellow and Director- Powering Livelihoods program at CEEW says that besides the issue of pumps being too large for many farmers, there is the economic case too, which can make it difficult to shift. “Those who have grid connected pumpsets, which are provided free or at nominal costs, the incentives for them to move to solar pumps is very limited. Even though government is providing subsidy, despite that the economic case is not always there for the farmer” He adds that “In a country where 58% of the farmers are marginal and own less than 1 ha of land, if you are not providing focus on smaller pumpsets, it means subsidy outlay will get cornered by larger farmers”.
Jain also highlights the sustainability risks. “Look at the northern states. The recurring cost o electricity is so low because you are getting subsidy that you keep on pumping water and the water table is going down. In a solar installation it becomes a more diffi cult job to upgrade to higher capacity pumps in case water table falls because you will have to add new solar panels which are expensive. “
Operators opine that while this is a real issue, it was probably the pressure to show big numbers and meet targets, and the viability of larger pumps, that has led to a focus there for now. Lesniewski also reminds us that not only does the scheme ignore pump sizes under 1 HP, but even the norms to certify such a size, should it be considered in the future, are quite fuzzy right now.
Another interesting issue that gets highlighted is the coordination between EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited ) , the central government owned entity coordinating the scheme with various state nodal entities. With every state designating a different department or agency to coordinate, both information flow to the beneficiaries, and for the equipment vendors , can be a major issue. Even though centralised tenders try and tackle the problem to a large extent.
Interestingly, vendors would lie nothing more than to see the scheme expanded to cover pumps larger than 7.5 HP, the current limit.
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, the beneficiary share is minimum 40% up to 10 HP solar pump
capacity . In states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, the state governments have given additional top-up on the subsidies thereby reducing the farmer’s share to 10%. This makes the scheme more attractive and farmer friendly with increased participation which ultimately contribute to the success of the project.
The objective Vs Returns The PM-KUSUM started off with three key objectives. For state governments, this is a potential way to reduce their subsidy outlay towards irrigation. The other motivation is to expand the irrigation cover by providing decentralized solar based irrigation and moving away from polluting diesel.
The final and key motivation is obviously increasing farmers’ income. By providing solar energy to farmers, they can sell back excess electricity to the grid and generate income. Typically a 5 hp solar pump would cost around 2.5 lakh rupees. After the scheme, going for the pump is no longer a difficult proposition for a relevant farmer.
Atul Bhatnagar, director at Sun Moksha, a firm into sustainability solutions expects more.
“ PM Kusum could be using the latest IoT technology much more effectively to manage grid integration and usage better. If you want to know how the solar pumps are being used from another location, you have to talk to PM Kusum executive. He will ring up the village pradhan. “ It’s a flaw we have tried to cover. In our case, if a panel is showing less electricity output the message goes to the villager. And they are able to take the appropriate action.”
He is also sceptical about the sustainability, especially in off grid stand alone pumps. “Under PM-KUSUM installed pumps will come . As long as sun is up water will keep coming. The water will start at 7 am and finish at 7 pm unless somebody is motivated to switch it off. In our case people are able to conserve water and do three crops rather than one.”
“The government does not understand IOT. They are more bothered about providing electricity to the grid.”, he adds.
The Change For all its challenges, the scheme has started to show some early results too. Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary of Power, Karnataka , says that solar pumps have led to a shifting of electricity loads for agricultural use from night-time hours to solar hours(daytime hours).
He says that the state had set itself a target of being largely free of coal-based power in the next five years. Currently, the state receives 63% of its energy from renewable sources.
Karnataka has already established the world’s largest solar park in the semi-arid region of Pavaguda and is now planning two more such facilities to meet its clean energy goal. VICTOR LESNIEWSKI Co-Founder and COO, Khethworks
ATUL BHATNAGAR Director, Sun Moksha
Other Indian states are likely to follow Karnataka’s example soon.
The shift in agricultural loads to solar hours is corroborated by Dr Nikit Abhankar too. Dr Abhankar is a scientist in the International Energy Analysis Department at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
“ What is happening in many utilities of Indian states is that they are shifting their agricultural loads to solar hours. Karnataka has shifted out of 2,000 Megawatts from night time to solar hours. By 2030, 40-50 Giga watts of agricultural load will shift from night time to solar hours. Around 50% of the state’s electricity needs are used up by the agriculture sector . “
This shift, besides the opportunity to shift out of agricultural power subsidies, a bane for the whole energy sector, is one of the biggest promises of the PM-KUSUM scheme.
Green energy corridors, which are supposed to be dedicated power corridors exclusively for the agricultural sector, are counting on the surplus power from such solar water pumps in a big way to meet requirements, as well as generate income for the farmers selling such power. Component A of the scheme is almost completely focused on these. Local state schemes, with different rates ranging from Rs 7.50 (for seven years ) in Gujarat to lower amounts in other states, are also pushing solar adoption faster in the sector.
In summation, PMKUSUM scheme, like many government schemes, is certainly well intentioned, except that it will fall short of its ambitious targets for 2024. Rather than a wholesale relook at the scheme, ensuring other related policy interventions, like manufacturing in India for solar cells, or even phasing out power subsidies, might give it the legs to deliver on its promise. If it does that even a couple of years behind schedule, it will be a huge achievement, capable of changing the energy dynamics of Indian agriculture completely, permanently.
With inputs from Biman Mukherjee
NON CHINA SOLAR BRANDS EYE OPPORTUNITIES
As the focus shifts to alternatives to made in China brands, domestic as well as other international brands sense an opportunity to grow faster in the Indian market
Solar has been one of those few sectors where we can be proud of our achievements, thanks to special attention it received from the government. But even as installed capacity is on course to cross 40GW this year, there has been an unexpected shift in the course of the market.
The skirmishes in the Himalayas, along with a renewed focus on ‘Atmanirbhar’ or self reliant India, has meant that the high dependence on one supplier country, China, is no longer acceptable.
After the reimposition of safeguard duty (at 14.9 percent in year 1) , and talk of a further customs duty on China origin imports, changes are afoot in the market . Firms, both Indian and foreign, that were till now confined to narrow niches of the market, or waiting for a change in fortune, suddenly see the opportunity for a larger market share. The good news? Most see it as a longer term opportunity to establish a brand and build a bigger business. With a huge capacity addition target between now and all the way to 2030 and beyond, domestic players finally see a long enough runway to plan and build for the future, though critical issues remain. It’s open season on the 70 percent plus market share that was enjoyed by Chinese brands until not so recently.
For domestic manufacturers, the market hasn’t changed much, yet, as the impact of the Chinese dominance will take time to wear off. . Sushil Bansal, Director and CEO at Novasys Greenergy, a firm with a 100MW manufacturing line says that “ The Chinese dominance in terms of market share is very strong. To counter it, we focused on relatively medium/smaller sized projects whether utility or rooftop and solar pumps market which are not so cost sensitive but need strong technical support and after sales service”.
It’s a view supported by Manish Gupta, CEO at Insolation Energy, a Jaipur based manufacturer, who lists quality of the products, relationship and trust maintained with clients, and post sale services as their secret sauce to surviving through the China market dominance. He also adds that they have also got their modules tested with DCR cells, and are actively working with projects as part of the PMKUSUM scheme (Solar Pumps).
For international players, the picture is slightly different. REC Group, the Norway headquartered firm for instance,
SUSHIL BANSAL Director and CEO, Novasys Greenergy
which has its operational base in Singapore, it has been a mix of the latest technology, strong warranties and well trained after sales service, that has worked. The firm also points to its sole manufacturing plant location in Singapore as a key strength. Rohit
MANISH GUPTA CEO, Insolation Energy
Kumar, Head of Indian Sub Continent (REC solar) points out that very few firms invest in training as they do. “Indian market has been a volume driven market- which was used for a lot of dumping at crazy prices, but we need to understand that solar is once in lifetime
PAWAN PANDEY
Founder, Tanash Energy purchase. Most people pay lip service to the 25 year old lifespan of a solar installation, but we take it very seriously Its in our DNA. Our warranty claims of less then 50 parts per million is an industry benchmark .”
Pawan Pandey, Founder at Tanash
ROHIT KUMAR
Head of Indian Sub Continent (REC solar) Energy , who has worked with leading utility scale developers like Azure , Renew Power etc, believes that the wheel has finally turned for non-Chinese firms “ Many Firms in India, as well as other global players offer options that meet every budget and quality requirement. Solar projects take longer to close, so the impact of the change in sentiment, or even duties, will be visible from the next quarter onwards”.
Sirish Parolkar, who has plans for a 10 KW solar rooftop at his industrial unit in Noida, probably speaks for a lot of customers when he says that “ I would leave the decision on modules to my installer normally, as they have to service the set up post installation. However, too many Indian brands are effectively Chinese manufactured in any case, so I would only look for a firm that truly does its own manufacturing at least”.
Pandey looks back at his experience here, adding that “ We have used multiple brands, Indian as well as other non-Chinese brands across projects, and almost all have held up well so far, though some have performed much better than even their Chinese counterparts.
For these firms, marketing also takes centre stage now, as they eye a larger market opportunity. Sushil Bansal at Novasys adds that “ at the marketing level, we have plans to update and expand our existing infrastructure to bring latest technology to India so that Indian made products can compete with international products and gain confidence. We can prove that we can also make a product which is latest in design, better in quality and most importantly cost effective.” However, Indian manufacturers do add the caveat that real change will require a higher duty structure than the one that exists right now, to provide domestic manufacturers the space to invest for returns.
REC Group’s Kumar adds that a higher awareness about technology, and what is really important in a module, (Energy density versus size, for instance), will help. “We welcome a client with better awareness, more exacting demands, as that helps us stand out. At the end of the day, the customer will always seek best value”.
PM Modi Confident India Will Surpass Renewable Energy Target for 2022
At the World Solar Technology Summit that was held on September 8, New and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh while reading out Prime Minister Modi’s message, revealed that PM Modi was confident that India will increase and surpass its renewable energy target for 2022, going beyond 175 GW to reach 220 GW capacity by 2022.
Modi who was due to give the inaugural address at the event, had Singh read out his message as he got caught up with other commitments.
“We have scaled up our non-fossil fuel-based generation to 134 GW, which is about 35 percent of our total power generation. We are confident of increasing it to 220 GW by 2022,” the Prime Minister’s message read.
“Technology holds the key to scale up the use of solar energy. Technological advancements have already brought about a significant
Technology holds the key to scale up the use of solar energy. Technological advancements have already brought about a significant reduction in the price of solar power. A further reduction in the cost will provide a major boost to the use and expansion of renewable energy
reduction in the price of solar power. A further reduction in the cost will provide a major boost to the use and expansion of renewable energy,” Modi added.
In his message the PM also mentioned the ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid‘ project which is aimed at clean energy supplies across nations. He asserted that ISA is part of this project which can bring transformational benefits for the entire humanity. He also stated that the government wants to take solar energy to all villages in the country and replace diesel with this clean source in the farm sector.
Earlier the event, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government is actively encouraging the industry, oil and gas companies in particular, to become participants in this transition to solar energy.
How Northern India’s Energy Systems can be 100% Clean Energy: Report
Finland’s Lappeenranta-Lahti design a cost optimal energy system in the University of Technology (LUT) and future. Delhi-based ‘Climate Trends‘ in a new Manish Ram, a lead author of the report report on Tuesday established how northern said, “the study highlights how low-cost India’s energy systems, comprising the renewable electricity could emerge as the world’s largest metropolitan area — Delhi- energy carrier of the future for India with an NCR — can be switched to 100 percent clean integrated energy system across the sectors energy by 2050. of power, heat, transport and industry.”
The study finds that greenhouse gas “A first of its kind study provides an (GHG) emissions in northern India can be economically viable integrated energy reduced from 825 metric tons of carbon- system model for power, transport and other dioxide equivalent (MtCO2eq) in 2020 to energy consuming sectors that will bring zero by 2050 across all energy sectors as well multiple benefits of more jobs, better high shares of renewables having solar as create five million new jobs. industrialisation and cleaner environment.” energy and battery storage as the backbone,
Presented at the virtual World Solar Christian Breyer, a professor for solar the study highlights for north India.” Technology summit organised by the economy at LUT University, said,”Globally, This research shows how to get one of the International Solar Alliance, the study was a the costs of solar and wind energy have been largest metropolitan area in the world — first of its kind modelling that uses rapidly declining in recent years. Energy Delhi-NCR — get sustainable energy by midgeospatial and hourly-demand analysis to systems are poised to be transformed with century.
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World Solar Technology Summit 2020 Manufacturing, Affordability And Efficiency in Focus at CEO Session
The CEO’s session at the first World Solar Technology Summit by the ISA saw head honchos make a strong pitch for a broader manufacturing supply chain, besides the need to maintain the price trajectory and seek higher efficiency.
In a session moderated by Jeanette Rodrigues, Mumbai bureau chief of Bloomberg LP, gloal CEO’s weighed in on the key imperatives for solar to spread further.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the
Mahindra Group with a strong presence in solar power development through group firm Mahindra Susten, made a strong case for domestic manufacturing. “A more aggressive stance in the solar space have almost been forced upon us. Our manufacturing facilities are woefully inadequate. We need manufacturing preeminence. A sustainable domestic manufacturing sector can create 50,000 direct jobs in the next 5 years”, he said. Mr Mahindra was also keen to see the government take the initiative, along with top developers, to start an innovation prize in solar, to channelise more high quality focus on the segment.
Supporting the argument was Uday Kotak, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank. Mr Kotak made a strong pitch for the creation of a development financial institution for the renewables sector, besides the possible addition of funding to the sector under priority sector lending. That, in his view, was critical if India is to seriously consider doubling its renewable capacity from he current 88 GW to 175 GW by 2022, and the higher targets beyond. rReferring to the gap between domestic supply and demand, Mr Kotak called it one of the biggest opportunities in India today, and ” one of those unique scale ups that India can achieve”. He also highlighted the opportunity in storage. He referred to the unfair disadvantage developers in India face, with interest rates in the 8-11 percent range versus sub 5 percent in most developed markets and China. The asset-liability mismatch of bank deposits(3-5 years) versus project lifetimes in the sector (15 years or more) made bank financing an inappropriate option for the sector, he said.
Focus on Breakthrough Tech at Disruptive Solar Technology Session
At the Disruptive Solar percent since 1992 (till 2019). 2nd generation (PERC) to 3rd Technology session at He then went on to detail how generation (Passivating the first World Solar fast solar has caught on to Contacts – HJT) high-efficiency Technology Summit (WSTS) other sources of alternate technologies (graph). And that by the ISA yesterday industry energy, and now trumps all of with this transition, we will leaders discussed the progress them for annual installations witness the efficiency of panels that solar photovoltaic year after year. Almost double increasing from the 20-21 technology has made over the the amount of capacity percent to high 24 and even 26 years and the key technology installations every year for the percent in a few years. trends that will lead it into the last couple of years when this rapidly growing solar He concluded by stating that next decade and beyond. compared to the next best market shows disruptive currently there are no majority
Professor Eicke Weber, source i.e. wind. innovations along the whole of manufacturers of solar Chairman of the European He added that at the rate at value chain, from materials and modules and cells are now only Solar Manufacturing Council which solar is expanding, we’re wafers to cells, modules, and in China and that it is becoming (ESMC) discussed the meteoric headed towards nearly 1 TW of system integration. And that at more and more important for rise of solar PV globally since installations being possible in a the core that is the PV cell Europe, and even for India to its inception as an idea, single year. technology, we are experiencing establish large scale and local growing at a CAGR of 38 Weber further added that a transition. A transition from manufacturing units.
India Working on Clean Energy Mission With Collective Mindset: Piyush Goyal
Union Commerce and Industry & Lauding the initiatives by the Railways Minister Piyush Goyal Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has said that India is working on under Dharmendra Pradhan to usher in a clean energy mission with a collective gas-based economy in India, the Minister mindset. Speaking at the valedictory said that the game-changing & function of the First World Solar transformational initiatives will help the Technology Summit (WSTS) organised by country’s smooth transit from the Fossil International Solar Alliance (ISA) on fuels to renewable sources of energy. Tuesday, Goyal said that “the best part Goyal envisioned that one day power about India’s own engagement with clean will almost become free in the world. energy is that we are working with a He said “I envisage India, which has a collective mindset, breaking all demonstrated capability to go up to 745 departmental silos and working to tomorrow to make the world a cleaner and GW of solar energy alone, will be support each other to finally achieve a better place for living. “Going forward, we providing power to other parts of the cleaner future for our future generations.” will have no choice but to be pure in our world in their peak hours. I see an
The minister who has previously served sources of energy & to be sure that we all interconnected grid across the world. I as the new and renewable energy minister participate in making this future happen & visualise a world grid with transmission said that solar energy and new secure a better future for our children of lines crossing oceans, such that we can technologies will certainly power our tomorrow.” transmit energy throughout the world.”
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World Solar Technology Summit 2020 Solar Industry can be Enablers of Healthcare Industry: Sangita Reddy
Apollo Hospital Intermittent or unreliable Enterprise Joint power puts medical facilities at Managing Director and risk and hence the use of solar President of FICCI Sangita to enable the area which is Reddy has said that the solar unconnected really opens up energy industry and players can tremendous capability, she play a crucial role as enablers of added. “So to provide this in healthcare in areas where there communities of rural or solar is inadequate access to grid- resource constrained settings, connected power. we can play a vital role as an
Speaking at the Global CEOs enabler of healthcare in areas session at the first World Solar where there is inadequate Technology Summit (WSTS) access to a grid-connected that was organised by the power,” she added. International Solar Alliance Referring to the large (ISA) yesterday Reddy, stating numbers of primary healthcare that India’s large number of centres and sub-centres, she primary healthcare centres and “In the health sector, clinics, said, “This is a grid waiting to sub-centres are a huge opportunity for a maternity wards, surgical blocks, happen. This is an invitation to global “grid waiting to happen,” asked global medical warehouses and laboratories powers across the world focussing on majors in the solar technology sector to rely on electricity to refrigerate this (solar energy) to think about think about innovative solutions to apply medicines, to power light to sterilise innovative new solutions to apply their their capability and talent to aid equipment and to operate live saving capability and their talent to aid healthcare in the country. surgeries and devices,” Reddy said. healthcare in India.”
Addwatt Power Bags 1.5 MW Solar Project at Swami Vivekanand Airport, Raipur
Addwatt Power Solution, a leading solar EPC provider has bagged the project order from Airport Authority of India for 1.5 MW Ground Mounted Solar System. The project will be located at Swami Vivekanand Airport, Raipur, Chhattisgarh and is expected to have a solar generation capacity of 1800 KW DC and an energy yield of 26884.9 MWh/Year.
The scope of the project includes design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning of the plant with their asset management for 10 years. The project is expected to finish in a span of 6 months form commencing. The Airport Authority of India is a ' Mini Ratna PSE' under the ministry od Civil Aviation, Government of India, and having 118 airports which includes 25 civil enclaves.
Addwatt Power launched its journey in the year 2014 being set up in Noida –NCR(National Capital Region). Addwatt Power started with 100 kW projects and presently has projects more than 850 MWP installed capacity and works across solar value chain with PAN India presence. Mr. Pramod Kumar, General Manager – Business Development Addwatt Power, says " Addwatt Power is a leading and a diversified player in Solar EPC business having considerable presence in the nation. We are delighted to have been awarded this project by Airport Authority of India. They have always been focused towards supporting the green energy transition in India and we are proud to be a part of AAI's recent effort towards solar growth. This will be our first solar project in Chattisgarh, and will become a cornerstone in paving future solar projects in the region. We are keenly determined to execute the project successfully within the agreed time frame and our partnership will help achieve their ambitious dream of running all airports in India on solar power. "
