SolarQuarter August Issue 2019- REI Special

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Special Issue 2019

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Volume 09. l Issue 8

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August 2019

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 5

ADVERTISERS INDEX

TABLE OF CONTENTS IN CONVERSATION

Hartek

`` Mr. Shashi Shekhar, Vice Chairman, ACME...............................................................................................12

1

Delta

`` Mr. Parag Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, ReNew Power................................................................14 `` Mr. K.V. Sajay, President- Wind, Solar and Regulatory Affairs, Hero Future Energies...............16

Gatefold

Sungrow

2

Ginlong Solis

3

Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Pvt Ltd

5

Illios

7

`` Mr. Rounak Muthiyan, Founder Director, Kalpa Power Private Limited.........................................26

ABB

9

`` Mr. Idrish Khan, CTO, Ginlong Solis.............................................................................................................28

Sineng

11

Tata Bluescope steel

13

Lubi Solar

15

Rays Power Experts Pvt. Ltd.

17

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Sofar Solar

19

`` Transparent Backsheet A Smart Alternative For Glass / Glass Modules........................................40

TBEA

21

Mahindra Intertrade Limited

23

Pheonix contact

25

Insolation

27

Waaree

29

Goodwe

31

`` City Leadership In The Global Energy Transition....................................................................................61

Raychem RPG Pvt. Ltd

33

`` Policies To Integrate Variable Renewable Energy...................................................................................62

Indian Energy Exchange Limited

35

Rays Power Experts Pvt. Ltd. (Mighty Avengers)

37

Power One Microsystem

39

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

43

`` Mr. Prakash Morankar, Chief Operating Officer, Engie Solar.............................................................18 `` Mr. Harjinder Kamboj, Head-Quality, Azure.............................................................................................20 `` Mr. Nimish Prabhukhanolkar, Partner, Agami Engineering.................................................................22 `` Mr. Nikunj Patel, Founder & CEO, Australian Premium Solar (India) Pvt. Ltd..............................24 `` Mr. Bill Gao, Global Commercial Head-Heraeus Photovoltaics........................................................24

`` Mr. Prashant Mathur, CMO, Adani Solar....................................................................................................30 `` Mr. Vikas Jain, Director, Insolation Energy P. Ltd.....................................................................................32 `` Mr. Nitin Sharma, Vice President – Energy (Head-EMS), Raychem RPG........................................34 `` Mr. Brinder Gandhi, Chief Executive Officer, Impulse Green Energy...............................................38

`` LeTID Testing to Mitigate Investment Risk...............................................................................................42 `` Global - Investment Flows...............................................................................................................................48 `` ‘Elmex’ Has Installed More Than 3 Million Connectors At 200+ Sites Across India.................49 `` Surge Protection For Photovoltaic Inverter..............................................................................................50 `` Energy Systems Integration And Enabling Technologies....................................................................51 `` Need For SARAL..................................................................................................................................................52 `` Ginlong Solis Powers Large Rooftop Solar Projects By SunSource.................................................58 `` Renewable Energy and Jobs - Globally......................................................................................................59

`` Solar Power is India’s Green Future.............................................................................................................70 `` Mono Vs Poly – An Introspective Simulation Study! – Part 3............................................................74 `` Floating Solar - Market opportunities........................................................................................................75 `` SOFARSOLAR G3 Better Customized For Residential Project............................................................78 `` Opportunities For Urban Renewable Energy...........................................................................................84

Goldi Solar

PERSPECTIVE

44-45

Elmex

49

Aeron Composite Pvt Ltd

57

L&T Construction

59

Apar

61

Australian Premium Solar

63

Avant Garde

65

`` Leadership Talk: Surviving In The Intense Indian Solar Sector..........................................................76

Flir systems

67

`` What India Needs, To Become A Powerhouse In Solar Sector Manufacturing?........................80

Havells

71

PRODUCT FEATURE

Topsun

73

`` Raychem RPG.......................................................................................................................................................41

Brij Encapsulants

77

Fibrograts Pvt.Ltd.

81

Radite Energy

87

Longi Solar

88

`` What Will It Take To Emerge As Leaders In The Rooftop Solar Industry? ....................................54 `` Are State Governments Doing Enough For Promoting Solar Rooftop?........................................64 `` Will India Be Able To Keep Up The Growth Momentum In Solar Sector?....................................65 `` What Are The Key Challenges In Construction Of Solar Rooftop Plants In Sri Lanka And How Can We Overcome Them?..................................................................................66 `` Future Business Leaders In Solar Sector: What Are The CXOs Looking For?..............................67 `` What Are The Challenges Despite Incentives From Central And State Government For The Development Of Solar Rooftop Systems?...........................................71

`` Sineng.....................................................................................................................................................................60 `` TBEA.........................................................................................................................................................................72 `` Aeron Composite Private Limited.................................................................................................................79

COMPANY FEATURE `` Arcedo.....................................................................................................................................................................63 `` Radite......................................................................................................................................................................63 `` Goldi Solar.............................................................................................................................................................68

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 7

India News

T

ERI Policy Paper Recommends India To Initiate Phased Manufacturing For 15 GW.

By 2024, India should target to have 15 GW of full value chain solar manufacturing capacity, right from polysilicon to modules. This capacity addition could be spaced out over a period of 2 to 3 years with an overlapping backward integration plan.

A policy paper released by Indian research and consultancy firm The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has made these recommendations. It claims the country has the potential for indigenous solar manufacturing facilities, which should be operational at competitive prices by 2024.

The estimated cost of the project is ₹21,991,525 (~$309,699) excluding the Goods and Service Tax (GST), and the time given for the completion of the work is six months.

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ajasthan Electronics Issues Tender for 750 kW of Solar Projects for EV Charging Stations.

Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), has issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) for 25 units of 30 kW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (SPV) power projects, either rooftop or ground-mounted, for electric vehicle charging stations in selected highways or cities. The selected highways and cities include Delhi-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi highway and

The government needs to prioritize the PV manufacturing value chain as a strategic

Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai highway.

industry and initiate a phased manufacturing programme (PMP) under the overarching

The eligibility criteria require the bidders to have experience in the installation and

Make in India plan.

commissioning of at least one project of 30 kW and cumulative 100 kW grid-connected SPV power project systems. The bidder must have experience in operation and maintenance

A

ssam Announces Tender to Install 8 MW of Rooftop Solar for Residential Consumers.

The Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) has issued a tender to set up 8 MW of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with the net metering facility. The rooftop solar projects will be developed under CAPEX mode. All the projects will be set up for residential customers.The PV modules used in the installations have to be made in India.

(O&M) of SPV power project systems for a year.

U

ttar Pradesh Gives One-Time Exemption to Rooftop Solar Consumers to Avail Net Metering.

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has granted one-time relaxation in its rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) regulations at the behest of Uttar Pradesh

The scope of work includes obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ from Assam Power

New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).

Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) for grid connectivity, entering into appropriate

UPNEDA had petitioned the commission seeking that the rooftop solar PV regulations

contract with the identified consumer (or beneficiary), design, engineering, manufacture, supply, storage, civil work, erection, testing and commissioning of the grid-connected rooftop solar PV projects.

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ujarat Commission Allows DISCOMs to Procure Power from Small Solar Projects to Meet RPO.

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has passed an order allowing Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) and the other distribution companies (DISCOMs) in the state to procure power from small solar projects of capacity up to 4 MW to meet their renewable purchase obligations (RPO).

GUVNL, Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited, Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited, Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited, and Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited had petitioned the commission seeking approval of the mechanism of applicable tariff for the purchase of power under the state’s policy. The petitioners had argued that the state policy provides for the procurement of solar energy from small solar PV projects by DISCOMs to meet RPO. The program is for the promotion of distributed solar energy generation in the state by providing small generators with an option to set up the solar PV project and sell the energy to the DISCOMs at a rate which is comparatively higher than the rate discovered under the competitive bidding process

G

oa Issues Net Metering Regulations for Solar Projects.

The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the state of Goa and union territories has finalized the net metering regulations. The new rules have been in effect since July 24, 2019.These regulations will apply to grid-connected rooftop-mounted, ground-mounted and floating solar PV power projects in Goa and the union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

2019 not be enforced retrospectively. It had requested that the enforcement of these regulations be postponed by 180 days and that government and semi-government institutes be brought under the aegis of net metering.

To reduce the hardship of consumers and to enable the growth of rooftop solar PV in the state, the UPERC has granted one-time relaxation and allowed 59 projects or consumers to avail either net metering or gross metering facility.This order will benefit rooftop solar PV projects totaling 10,391 kW.

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elangana Floats RESCO Tender for 1 to 1,000 kW of Rooftop Solar Projects.

The Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TSREDCO) has floated a tender for 1-1,000 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar power projects. The projects are to be installed at multiple government establishments across Telangana.

The scope of work involves the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of solar projects under the net-metering program with a five-year comprehensive maintenance contract (CMC) under the RESCO model. The projects can be rooftop, ground-mounted, or high raised structure SPV projects. The projects will be on a build own operate basis (BOO).

H

imachal Pradesh Floats Tender to Install Solar Projects at 312 Schools Across the State.

The HIMURJA has invited bids for the installation of solar projects at 312 middle schools located in 11 districts of Himachal Pradesh. The project installations will be executed under the state’s “Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan” program.

The scope of work includes the supply, installation, and commissioning of solar PV projects ranging from 1 to 3 kW at 312 middle schools in the state. It also includes the verification of site feasibility, design, engineering, manufacture, shop testing, inspection, packing and forwarding, transportation up to project site, loading and unloading, storage, erection, preliminary testing at the site, installation, commissioning, and performance testing of the projects.

Under the new regulations, the group net metering framework will apply to all the consumers. The virtual net metering framework will apply to all residential consumers, group housing societies, and establishments of government and local authorities.Solar projects of a minimum capacity of 5 kW and a maximum capacity of 500 kW at a single location will be eligible for grid connectivity. Solar projects of capacity higher than 500

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wo Small Rooftop Solar Tenders Announced in Chandigarh.

The Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST)

kW can be considered by the distribution company (DISCOM) if the distribution system

has tendered a total of 560 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects

remains stable with the project getting connected to the grid.

through two separate tenders.

A

AI Issues Tender for a 500 kW Solar Project at Civil Aviation College in Uttar Pradesh.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a tender for a 500 kW of solar power project at the Civil Aviation Training College (CATC), located at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

The project will follow the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC); the AAI has specified.

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CREST has tendered 400 kW of grid-connected rooftop solar PV (SPV)projects to be set up at two different government schools in Maloya, Chandigarh with high power evacuation.

The tender is for two 70 kW and two 130 kW rooftop solar PV projects.

One 70 kW and another 130 kW rooftop solar PV project will be set up at Government Model Senior Secondary School-I, and one 70 kW and a 130 kW rooftop solar PV project will be set up at Government Model Senior Secondary School-II, located at Rehabilitation Colony, Maloya.

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 8

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 9

Asia News

P

hilippines To Support Local Seaweed Industry.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has invited proposals for a solar PV project with lithium ion batteries in the Philippines. The hybrid power system will be deployed in Sitangkai and East Sibutu regions in Tawi Tawi.

UNIDO wants interested players to explain the provision of turnkey supply of the complete package of technical services as well as supply, installation and commissioning of the plant.

In a May 2019 document prepared by UNIDO it states the idea behind such a hybrid project in Tawi Tawi is to increase and extend the availability of electricity service in the seaweed farming communities of the region. Diesel generator sets will be hybridized with solar PV and battery storage for additional and continuous power supply to the island grids in the municipalities of Sitangkai and Sibutu. Integrated with efforts to enhance the quality and increase the value of seaweeds here.

T

anweer Oman Launches Pre-Qualification Round For 146 MW Solar PV-Diesel Generated-Storage.

The Rural Areas Electricity Company (Tanweer) in Oman has issued a pre-qualification

The World Bank Group member, IFC will also support the bank with advisory work on green financing including identifying and reporting green assets.

U

nsteady Progress Of A Potential MENA Solar Superpower.

With a combination of scale, a growing population, outstanding irradiation, and

available capital, solar PV should be a ‘no brainer’ for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. But early explorations of the technology have soured expectations, and progress has come in fits and starts.

Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy sector over the years can be best described as a roller coaster. Just when momentum seemed to be building, the ride came to a halt. Then it began to move, but never really gave potential investors the confidence needed for serious acceleration. Progress started to take shape in 2016 and has continued, showing that this time is different.

C

hina Has Already Connected 870 MW Of This Year’s Subsidized PV Projects.

The state-owned China News Service reported almost $80 million is left in the pot for large

round for a total of 146 MW of solar-diesel-storage power capacity. The individual share

scale project subsidies this year despite almost 420 facilities with a combined generation

of the three plants will be 48 MW, 70 MW and 28 MW/14 MWh, respectively. The capacity

capacity of 1.77 GW having missed out in the auction.

will be spread across 11 sites and will be awarded to a single applicant, hence Tanweer

China News Service this morning reported 870 MW of the 22.79 GW of solar power

is seeking a single bid for all sites.The hybrid power plants need to be developed on a

generation capacity allocated in the nation’s first public auction for subsidized PV projects

build own operate transfer (BOOT) basis and Tanweer will be the off-taker signing power

has already been connected to the grid.

purchase agreements (PPA) with validity for 15 years.

Land and diesel generator fuel supply will be Tanweer’s responsibility with the remaining lying with the developers. The projects need to be built in Madha, Masrooq, Aittan, AL Mazyunah, Farshat Qatbeet, AL Khuwaimah, Masirah, Hitam, AL Khadrah, AL Hallaniyat and Hasik.

I

ran’s Total PV Capacity Grows 12.5% to 342 MW from April To July.

By July 2019, Iran’s cumulative installed renewable energy capacity had reached 760 MW with solar making up 45% or 342 MW, which represents the largest share, according to the country’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA), which is headed by the Ministry of Energy.

This is a growth of 12.5% or 38 MW over 304 MW SATBA reported for total installed

Developers of subsidized projects are racing to get facilities connected by the end of the year to receive the full electricity tariff payment they bid in the auction. Under the terms of the procurement, any projects missing the December 31 deadline will see their tariff reduced by RMB0.01/kWh ($0.0015) per quarter until the end of June, after which subsidies will be removed entirely.

S

olar-Powered Warehouses Have Boosted Japanese Interest In Bengal.

With Japanese firm Kawasaki Rikuso Transportation Company’s investment in setting up temperature-controlled solar powered warehouses for agri storage in West Bengal, there has been an increasing interest from both sides for business exchanges and alliances in the eastern part of India.

solar capacity in April 2019.Wind power capacity comes next to solar with 40% (304

Japanese companies should be provided incentives similar to the ones they enjoy in

MW) of total renewables, followed by small hydropower (91.2 MW), waste heat recovery

northern states of India, to expand in West Bengal.Skill and waste management and

(WHR) (15.2 MW and biomass (7.6 MW). Iran’s total renewable energy capacity of 760

the SME sector are possible fields for joint collaborations between the two countries for

MW comes from 115 power plants and is capable of generating 3,286 million kWh of

investment in West Bengal.

clean energy. Currently there are 32 RE plants still under construction accounting for a

Japan is already working in infrastructure projects jointly with India in Bangladesh and has

capacity of 380 MW.

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hina Installed 11.4 GW New Solar In H1/2019.

Between January 2019 and June 2019, China installed 11.4 GW of new solar PV

capacity which came from 6.82 GW of large-scale solar and 4.58 GW of distributed solar PV, announced the country’s National Energy Administration (NEA). This is a decline of 53% from 24.3 GW added in the first 6 months of 2018.

Yet, this is still more than the 9.09 GW of wind and 1.82 GW of grid connected hydropower added in H1/2019. All these technologies contributed to taking the country’s cumulative renewable energy capacity to 750 GW of which solar’s share was 186 GW at the end of June 2019.

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orld Bank’s IFC Commits $150 Million For Green Bond Issued By Indonesia’s PT Bank OCBC NISP To Finance Climate Smart Projects One of Indonesia’s largest private sector banks, PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk will receive $150 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to its green bond. This is the first

been very keen to continue this, since West Bengal is the gateway to other eastern states and South East Asia.

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ubsidies killing renewable energy investments in Nepal RE is rapidly expanding its market globally and regionally. There has been sharp fall

in production cost. Neighbouring India has been aggressively investing in solar power production. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh—two Indian states that have long borders with Nepal—have made significant progress in solar power production in recent years.

But Nepal has not attracted RE investors, due to the small size of the market, relative lack of land available for large-scale solar projects and an incompetent subsidy model.

T

he Future Of Taiwan’s Smart Grid.

“Smart grid” has already become old news in Taiwan. Installation of smart meters in

residential and industrial systems alike are proceeding at a rapid pace, with 200,000 new smart meters installed every year by Taipower, Taiwan’s monopoly utility provider. By the end of the year, half of the island will be equipped with smart meters: a total of 6 million

ever green bond issued by a commercial bank in the country, according to IFC. The bonds

installations.

will finance climate smart projects to support the government’s target of reducing GHG

With major changes in Taiwan’s energy landscape, including the recent liberalisation of

emissions by 29% by 2030.

their renewable energy market and President Tsai’s nuclear-free homeland policy, the

It is not specified what kind of projects or technology be considered under the financing

challenge will be how to best adapt the mature tech for their purposes. According to Chen,

arrangement that will have a tenor of five years. According to the IFC, potential opportunities

Taiwan’s new priorities will be on developing strategies for demand-side management,

for green financing in the country are around $274 billion to 2030.

refining battery storage solutions, and further innovation in business models.

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Solar Quarter ••August Solar Solar Quarter Quarter August • July2019 2019 10

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Global News

V

attenfall Using Solar, Wind And Storage Technology In The Netherlands.

Zambian energy solutions firm Upepo Energy Zambia Limited has secured a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to conduct a feasibility study for a 150 MW wind, solar & energy storage project in the south African country. The study will be conducted by New York-based WSP USA, Inc. Through the study, Upepo Energy will be able to evaluate the optimal mix of onsite wind, solar and storage technologies and also determine the commercial viability of such a project. USTDA said this is likely to be one of the first hybrid renewable energy projects in the country that will support the grid in Northern Zambia.

In 2018, the country achieved its annual target of 1.42 GW in October.At least 92.1% or 1.5 GW of the 1.64 GW capacity came from small scale solar farms of 1 MW or less. This is an increase from the 83% share this solar segment claimed in 2018. The most popular capacity range was 100 kW to 1 MW that accounted for 54.8% in the first 7 months of the year, compared to 46.2% a year back.

S

ixth Ground Mounted Solar Auction Round In France.

France has awarded project development rights for 107 projects representing a total

capacity of 858 MW under the 6th auction for ground-mounted solar PV projects. All projects won between 500 kW and 30 MW capacity. At least 44% projects are located outside the 4 regions of southern France.

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ortugal Solar Auction Winners Neoen To Develop 65 MW Solar Project In Rio Maior.

French renewable energy player Neoen revealed the details of its 65 MW project win in Portugal’s first solar auction, as revealed by the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology recently.

Neoen’s project, which will be located in Rio Maior, 70 km north of Lisbon, is already at

Average bidding price was €64 ($71.77) per MWh, increasing around 2% from €62.7 ($70.31) per MWh determined during 5th auction concluded in February 2019. The average for installations with more than 5 MW capacity was €59.5 ($66.7) per MWh. Projects with capacities ranging between 500 kW and 5 MW secured average bids of €67.5 ($75.7) per MWh. Projects that will be established on parking roofs managed average of €88.3 ($99) per MWh.Among the winning projects, 58% will generate investment through public participation or through crowdfunding.

an advanced stage. It secured the contract for a price of €23.47 ($26.32) per MWh under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Portuguese government. The price, said Neoen, lends the project good economic profitability.Construction on the plant is expected to begin in 2021 and commercial operations are due in early 2022. Once the project is commissioned, it is expected to generate 130 GWh of clean power annually

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lean Energy Regulator Report Claims Australia Likely To Exceed 33,000 GWh.

Australia is on track to meet its large-scale renewable energy target (LRET) of generating 33,000 GWh of clean power by 2020 as enough utility-scale renewables capacity was either

S

onnedix Breaks Ground On 171 MW Solar Project In Chile.

One of the largest solar power plants coming up in Chile, the 171 MW Sonnedix Atacama Solar project has entered its construction phase. Being developed by global solar independent power producer (IPP) Sonnedix, the project is expected to generate close to 470 GWh of clean power annually on completion.

The project is coming up in the Pica district of Tarapacá region in the Atacama Desert and will cost $180 million to be up and running by December 2020. During the construction period, it is expected to employ around 400 people in indirect jobs.

commissioned, generating or was under construction at the end of 2018.

According to an administrative report titled ‘The Acceleration in Renewables Investment in 2018’, Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) said a record 3,455 MW of constructed projects were accredited in 2018, more than triple the 1,113 MW accredited in 2017, which was the previous record.Higher level of large-scale renewable energy capacity was built by the industry in Australia between 2017 and 2019 than the first 16 years of the scheme.

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panish Government Had Announced 240 MW Under SOLBAL.

The Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE) of the Spanish Ministry of

B

2Gold Board Approves 30 MW Solar & Storage Project To Power Fekola Gold Mine Site In Mali.

Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda has received 56 proposals in response to the SOLBAL program which offers financial support for solar installations in the Balearic Islands. Solar investors are looking for support for at total of 335 MW.

Canadian gold miner B2Gold Corp. will set up a 30 MW solar power plant with a significant

The SOLBAL program aims to promote sustainable energy strategies on Spain’s Balearic

battery storage capacity to power its Fekola mine site. The Fekola Solar Plant, it said, will be

and Canary Islands in collaboration with regional and island governments to help them

one of the largest off-grid hybrid solar/heavy fuel oil (HFO) plants in the world.

bring down the cost of energy.Originally, the Spanish government had announced a

The importance of this project, according to the company, is that the plant will allow for

budget of €40 million ($44 million) for 240 MW of new capacity to be established under

3 HFO generators to be shut down during daylight hours helping save about 13.1 million

SOLBAL through program manager IDAE. It expects 335 MW of solar capacity.

litres of HFO annually at a capital cost of some $38 million. The company will incur $20 million in 2019, the rest in 2020.B2Gold arrived at the conclusion that a solar power plant with storage capacity will be a ‘very solid’ project and would provide ‘best economic result’ for its Fekola mine site after completing a preliminary technical and economic feasibility evaluation.

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catec Solar Grid Connects Its Maiden Large-Scale Solar PV Plant In Mozambique With 40 MW Capacity.

Scatec Solar has commissioned its first large-scale solar power plant in Mozambique with 40 MW capacity that’s expected to deliver 79 GWh of clean power annually. The project

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eclanché To Build 35.6 MW Solar & 44.2 MWh Battery Storage Facility For St. Kitts & Nevis.

is contracted to sell solar power generated to state-owned utility EDM under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).

Located close to the city of Mocuba in Zambézia province, the Mocuba plant will generate

Leclanché SA will build what it calls as the ‘largest solar generation plus energy storage

clean power for the northern regions of the country.Scatec Solar achieved financial

project ever to be built in the Caribbean’ with 35.6 MW of solar and 44.2 MWh of battery

closure for the plant in March 2018 when it secured debt financing of $55 million from the

storage facility. The Switzerland based energy storage company will build the project on

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and $7 million through viability gap funding (VGF)

leased government land in Basseterre Valley, island of St. Kitts.

from Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) while contributing $14 million in equity.

Leclanché will provide EPC services for both solar and storage components through a special purpose vehicle along with local partner Solrid. The Swiss company will fund, own and operate the facility and also look after project operations, maintenance and equipment warranties. Construction is planned to begin in mid-October 2019, completion is expected in September 2020.Once online, the project will be connected with St. Kitts Electric Company (SKELEC) PowerStation and supply power to SKELEC for 20 years under

E

cuador’s Power Generation Company Celec EP Announces Tender For 200 MW PV & 110 MW Wind Power Projects.

Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (Celec EP) has announced the launch of a tender to develop 310 MW of renewable power capacity in the form of 2 projects of 200 MW solar PV

a power purchase agreement (PPA).

and 110 MW wind power resources. The state-owned electricity generator and distributor

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The 200 MW El Aromo in Manabí province will come up next to the space originally

Originally, South Korea had plans to install 1.63 GW of total solar PV capacity in 2019, but

will cover 22% of Manabí’s energy consumption. Power generated will be connected to

the latest data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) shows it already

the grid via San Juan de Manta substation and will also fill up for the hydropower deficit

exceeded this target in the first 7 months of the year with 1.64 GW deployed by July 2019.

during the dry season in the Amazon basin.

ith 1.64 GW Solar PV Installed Till July 2019, South Korea Exceeds Annual Deployment Target Of 1.63 GW.

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made the announcement in the presence of 45 international companies. allocated to Pacific Refinery. To be developed with an investment of $200 million, the project is expected to generate 280 GWh of annual clean power on completion which

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 12

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Sineng Electric Co., Ltd. NO.6 Hehui Road, Huishan District, Wuxi, China

Sineng Electric (India) Pvt Ltd. Sineng Electric

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Plot No. 56 & 57, Bommasandra Jigani Link Rd Industrial Area, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Solar Quarter • August 2019 13

In Conversation

“Acme Has A Clear And Defined Focus On Each Activity Of The Project” Mr. Shashi Shekhar, Vice Chairman, ACME

What are the latest worldwide innovation trends? Has India been able to keep pace with the same?

India has limited solar cell manufacturing capacity and they are not following the international benchmark of efficiency. Though we have decent capacity of module manufacturing, the country mostly imports modules for setting up power plants. The current protectionism measure on components of modules has made module manufacturing nor being able to compete with China, Korea, Taiwan etc.

Once specification is defined, it is obligatory for us to honour it and make sure that there is no threat in terms of generation and reliability.

ACME had performed really well in the tenders last fiscal. As Head Quality, how have you managed to be aggressive in bids while ensuring high quality of solar assets?

High price does not necessarily mean good quality and vice versa. We believe in working with our partners, finding ways of doing new innovations and then do round the clock

What are the main challenges domestic solar industries is currently facing and where do you see the future of the Indian PV market?

India has a great solar potential and had commissioned about 30 GW cumulative capacities so far. India Government is promoting all renewable energy but solar is surging due to its efficiency, scalability and amenability for better forecasting.

Its scalability is determined by the continued reduction in tariff, so as to economically displace variable cost of thermal power. Tariff is dependent on the price of solar panels, GHI, interest rate and taxes & duties. Cost of solar panels is coming down and likely to continue.

monitoring to make sure there are no compromises in implementation.

Kindly enlighten on “Energy Storage as Game Changer”...

Technology & Cost Trends, Incentives and Government Support needed Lithium-ion Battery is the new storage technology after Lead Acid that is slated to grow very fast in the coming years. Currently, these are being deployed for various applications such as Home lighting Solutions, Microgrid/ MiniGrid and some of EV’s (Electric Vehicles) applications though the mass application is yet to come.

GHI is natural to a locality and is a given situation. High interest rate with unfavourable

Lithium-ion battery price is witnessing rapid fall in price and the technological development

lending conditions by public sectors financial institutions, frequently changes of taxes

is further increasing storage capacity without adding to size and weight. It is expected that

& duties structure, absence of land leasing framework, lack of robust payment security

the cost of Energy Storage System (ESS) will reach a low level by 2025 that would make

mechanism, are some of the important challenges being faced by the solar power sector.

stored energy cost very competitive. It is expected by 2025 Energy Storage System (ESS)

Regional or National level of load dispatch adopting merit order dispatch, will enable

would become a very big market.

Discoms to absorb more cheap RE that will reduce their financial losses. Transmission

After use in Electric Vehicles, Lithium-ion battery can also be used for storage application

capacity constraints of ISTS located in high GHI areas are yet another challenge.

and power supply. The cost of such power would further get cheaper as cost of battery

Despite the above factors, India has made rapidly added solar power capacity to achieve

would have been recovered in running EV’s.

100 GW by 2022.

What pipeline of projects do you currently own, kindly specify the size of the project, its location, tariff, scheme, timeline of completion, its viability From a humble beginning of 15MW solar company in 2011 to being India’s largest solar energy company contributing 5500 MWp (DC Capacity) today at 2019. This tremendous growth can be attributed to its technology and costing, innovation to successfully bidding for projects and timely commissioning.

ACME started its solar power journey from first solar project in Gujarat and then expanded to multiple locations. After Gujarat, second and third state to venture was Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, and then successfully we made our presence in all major states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

Currently we have an operational solar capacity of 2500 MWp and the balance 3000 MWp (DC) is likely to be installed in Rajasthan. ACME growth is also virtue to its hard working

Lithium-ion Battery is the new storage technology after Lead Acid that is slated to grow very fast in the coming years.

Currently, these are being deployed for various applications such as Home lighting Solutions, Microgrid/ MiniGrid and some of EV’s (Electric Vehicles) applications though the mass application is yet to come.

and penchant employees who have set industry benchmarks for maintaining quality in their work, and also incorporating best industry standards for safety, environment and security during project execution.

Has the safeguard duty led to any significant positives for manufacturers?

Safeguard duty (SGD) was imposed on 30 July 2018 on the imported solar modules.

The purported intention was to protect domestic manufacturers. There seems to be no perceptible help to the manufacturers, though it has resulted in an increase in tariff and created an uncertain environment for investment to take place.

For long term profitability, ensuring good asset quality is very important. What are some key areas which directly impact the life and performance of large scale solar assets?

We cannot allow slippages in any sphere whether it’s BOM like Module, Inverters, or

India has a great solar potential and had commissioned about 30 GW cumulative capacities so far. India Government is promoting all renewable energy but solar is surging due to its efficiency, scalability and amenability for better forecasting.

Projects processes, ACME has a clear and defined focus on each activity of the project.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 14

CSAD/SQ/0819

ZINCALUME® steel is recognised by CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) as Green Product under Green Building Ratings

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 15

In Conversation

“Renew Power Continues To Seriously Evaluate New Upcoming Re Hybrid Opportunities” Mr. Parag Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, ReNew Power

Where do you see the Solar Energy industry in India poised vis a vis the Government’s ambitious target @ 100GW by 2022?

in domestic solar module manufacturing cost pricing them out of competition. Therefore,

The Central Govt. in 2015 revised the Solar Power installation target from 20 GW to 100

India.

the tariff barrier might have negative impact on the overall solar manufacturing base in

GW by 2022. Over the last 5 years, the solar capacity installation in the country grew at CAGR of 60%, and as on March 2019, it stands at ~28 GW, as a result India is now the 5th largest nation in terms of solar capacity installation. The exponential growth has been achieved on the back of precipitous drop in solar tariffs.

The solar industry has seen favourable push from Indian Govt. as a result the country almost doubled its solar installation from FY 14-15 to FY 17-18. The momentum can be built upon through consistent regulatory support, timely implementation of grid infrastructure and roadmap of future tenders is paramount to achieve solar target of 100 GW by 2022.

What are your views on emerging RE Hybrid technologies such as Wind Solar and do you also plan to allocate investment in this sector given the fact your company has a good mix of Solar and Wind assets?

Hybrid renewable energy systems usually consist of two or more renewable energy sources utilizing common infrastructure together to provide increased system efficiency as well as

Against the backdrop of the recently concluded Green Bond Issue, how do you perceive ReNew Power in furthering its growth with additional capacity build-up of new RE projects?

greater balance in energy supply. The most common of them are the Wind Solar Hybrid

ReNew Power has since its inception invested in high quality assets and created value for

intermittent nature of wind or solar. Following are some suggestions which can make the

all stakeholders. The recently concluded green bond issue of $435 million allowed us to

opportunities more bankable:

make our capital structure more efficient by refinancing a portion of existing debt and also finance high quality greenfield projects. Although, we have been active in participating in tenders in last financial year, we exercised prudence in picking tenders. Having said that, we were also able to build up a stable pipeline of 3.5 GW Wind & Solar projects to be constructed in next 2 years at relatively better price.

Also, we have been growing inorganically, we have successfully completed 4 brownfield acquisitions on varied sizes in recent past. We will continue to seriously evaluate the future renewable tenders as well as high quality assets on sale to deliver better value to our stakeholders and also strengthen our position as the leading renewable Independent Power Producer. Further, we are planning to diversify in allied new technologies in renewables to replicate our success in solar and wind businesses.

How has the last FY 2017-18 been for your company? Has the temporary slowdown in the growth of solar sector impacted your company?

During the last financial year 18-19, we achieved several important milestones that further strengthened our position in India’s renewable energy landscape: � Our total capacity (both commissioned and under construction) is touching 8 GW, which is the largest in India. Now, we are contributing 1% to India’s overall energy generation. � We completed acquisition of Ostro Energy (1.1 GW) in April 2018, which is India’s largest M&A deal in renewable energy sector. � Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) increased its stake in our company by investing an additional $144 million last year. � We successfully commissioned our largest solar project of 300 MW at Pavagada,

projects that may also couple with storage to provide a stable power output. This in turn partially address the concerns of distribution utilities over grid stability arising due to the

� Clarity on regulations – Metering mechanism, Renewable Purchase Obligation accounting, Scheduling and Forecasting etc. � State Revenue land use to be permitted for Hybrid projects. � Tendering authorities should understand that while there are marginal savings due to cost synergies, the impact of poor resource of one of the technologies has a much larger negative impact on project economics. Therefore, a ceiling tariff for the bid shall be accordingly determined.

ReNew power continues to seriously evaluate new upcoming RE hybrid opportunities.

ReNew Power has since its inception invested in high quality assets and created value for all stakeholders. The recently concluded green bond issue of $435 million allowed us to make our capital structure more efficient by refinancing a portion of existing debt and also finance high quality greenfield projects.

Karnataka. � We successfully commissioned wind project of 250 MW (in Kutch, Gujarat) won under the first SECI ISTS reverse auction in India.

During the FY 18-19, ~13 GW of solar capacity was awarded which is double of the previous year, out of which ReNew Power won more than 1GW of solar capacity.

What are your views on the new government policy of Antidumping duty?

The recent move to impose anti-dumping duty of up to $1,559 per tonne on solar cell component Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) sheets for 5 years from China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand is another step to promote domestic manufacturing of solar modules after imposing safeguard duty in July 2018 for 2 years on solar cells and modules.

While we are in complete support of Govt. effort to promote Make in India, but such support should be in the form of tax breaks and capital subsidy rather than tariff barriers.

We believe levy of Anti-dumping duty on EVA sheets is counterproductive as currently

Hybrid renewable energy systems usually consist of two or more renewable energy sources utilizing common infrastructure together to provide increased system efficiency as well as greater balance in energy supply.

there are not many domestic players who manufactures quality EVA sheets, which could lead to supply constraint in the domestic market. Further, this may also lead to increase

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 16

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 17

In Conversation

“The “Hero Approach” Of Owning A Renewable Energy Project Is Based On Business Case Certainty Of 25 Years” Mr. K.V. Sajay, President- Wind, Solar and Regulatory Affairs, Hero Future Energies

What according to you is the biggest strength of Hero Future Energies in the solar sector?

Hero Future Energies (HFE) is the renewable energy arm of the Hero Group, which is an extremely diversified industrial conglomerate. The group’s flagship company is Hero Motocorp but we also have auto component company, finance company, electronic company, university and of course renewable energy.

We are one of India’s fastest growing renewable energy developer. The “Hero approach” of owning a renewable energy project is based on business case certainty of 25 years or more, this in turn helps to bid and build robust assets with the right HSEQ standards in a time bound manner.

How significant is energy storage for the development of solar sector?

One of the distinctive characteristics of the electric power sector is that the amount of electricity that can be generated is relatively fixed over short periods of time, although demand for electricity fluctuates throughout the day. Energy storage can assume a larger role in matching the demand and supply. At the same time, technological development, better utilization of transmission assets and rapid price reduction of other technologies like thermal storage and battery energy storage along with rapid penetration of intermittent renewable energy like solar and wind, have created a renewed demand for energy storage

This wave of optimism coupled with strong regulatory framework is the need of the hour.

However, challenges to be dealt includes outstanding overdues with DISCOMs, slower augmentation of transmission infrastructure, threatening and challenging the sanctity of long-term power purchase agreements by state government, uncertainty of waiver of transmission charges beyond March 2022 etc.

Additionally, to spur investment in this sector few more challenges namely mismatch in timelines of solar projects, deemed non-agricultural conversion of land for use in solar projects, curtailment of power from renewable sources and non-adherence to “Must Run” status for renewable projects need to be addressed.

It is worth mentioning that union government had already taken cognisance of situation and invited RE developers in recently conducted Chintan Baithak by MNRE to address the challenges faced by the sector. Let 2019 be the time when leaders in government and business of renewables can jointly drive sectoral growth, create employment and transit towards a carbon free economy.

What more can Indian government do to propel the growth of the sector?

To improve the bankability of projects, the government should focus on the following pointers, which might seem micro in nature but is of utmost importance to gain confidence of any investor or banker.

technologies.

� Development of single window clearance for all requisite approvals

Energy storage will also support buyers by supplying power during peak period along the

� Flexibility in terms of size and timing of equity infusion

day at competitive prices against the power from conventional sources during such period

� Deemed generation compensation at 100% of applicable tariff in case of grid curtailment

which is procured by paying premium charges.

� Time bound adoption of tariff discovered under tariff based competitive bidding by

What do you think are the untapped opportunities which needs to be explored in the solar sector?

Solar sector has evolved from being focused on heat transfer-based method of power generation to solar photovoltaic based power generation during the last decade under the JNNSM and it’s still evolving as we speak.

Thus, we see very high opportunities in the fields of domestic solar PV module manufacturing with integrated supply chain of polysilicon to PV modules instead of cells

ERCs without any re-examination of such discovered tariff � Timely payment to renewable generators � Extension of financial closure and commissioning timelines for actual/ genuine delays in government approvals � Pre-defined formula for calculating impact of new duty on cell and modules � Increase the duration of PPAs from existing 25 years to 35 years for solar, wind and storage-based hybrid projects

to PV modules to cater the demand of both domestic and international market (100+ GW per annum).

The world is gradually gravitating towards renewable energy with IT enabled interconnected smart grids, load sharing and electrical storage. Environment protection and energy security need NOT BE a reason to go for renewables alone. Today renewables make a lot of economic sense.

Technological development in battery-based energy storage system clubbed with solar/

One of the distinctive characteristics of the electric power sector is that the amount of electricity that can be generated is relatively

wind energy generation has huge potential in the coming years. A shift to green alternative

fixed over short periods of time, although

will be attractive as compared to conventional power based on pricing.

demand for electricity fluctuates throughout

India has ~ 36 GW of installed wind capacity. Most of these farms also happen to be in high solar insolation zones and if proper hybridization is done even to the 50% (i.e., 18 GW) of such installed capacity along with solar and energy storage solutions, it will result in better utilization of existing transmission systems along with increase in capacity

the day. Energy storage can assume a larger role in matching the demand and supply. At

utilization factor and reduction in variability of power from renewable sources. Also, it

the same time, technological development,

means that about 18 GW capacity can be added in a short span of 1 year to the country’s

better utilization of transmission assets and

overall renewable target.

rapid price reduction of other technologies

A lot has been done to improve the policy and regulatory framework for the sector. What are the problems that persist with in the sector?

like thermal storage and battery energy

In FY18 capacity addition in renewables was 2.5 times the capacity addition in conventional

intermittent renewable energy like solar

energy generation during the same period. This sector has seen numerous off takers in the bids conducted by SECI, NTPC, MSEDCL, GUVNL and other nodal agencies during second half of 2018 and so far in the first half of 2019, thus we expect considerable capacity addition in the years ahead.

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storage along with rapid penetration of and wind, have created a renewed demand for energy storage technologies.

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 18

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In Conversation

“Engie Is The World’s Largest Independent Power Producer (IPP), With More Than 100 Gw In Operation Globally” Mr. Prakash Morankar, Chief Operating Officer, Engie Solar

Engie’s presence in India has been around for over two decades, how has the experience been?

Engie is the world’s largest Independent Power Producer (IPP), with more than 100 GW in operation globally. This includes power generation from all sources like natural gas, hydro, wind, solar, nuclear, coal, biomass & biogas, etc. Engie has a worldwide strategy to promote Low Carbon energy and gradually phase out of activities with the highest levels of CO2 emissions such as coal fired power production. Engie has identified India as a potential country that can contribute in accomplishing its ambition to be a world leader in the transition to zero-carbon emission. Engie Group also provides governments, communities, cities and businesses with efficient and innovative solutions based on its expertise in four key sectors: independent power development, renewable energy, liquefied natural gas and energy efficiency services. ENGIE employs 155,000 people worldwide and is present in 70 countries across 5 continents.

ENGIE has been present in India since more than 20 years, carrying out service activities such as engineering and renewable energy generation. Its total generation capacity now stands at 1.5 GW+, which includes 1GW+ of Solar and 482 MW of Wind. Engie group employs around 1,000 people in India, including power generation development that commenced in 2014, as well as in energy and engineering services, which existed since about two decades.

Engie’s 101MWp solar plant in UP was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron.

In order to achieve this target, various policies and initiatives to promote investment in this market have been introduced. One amongst some of the encouraging policies, is that the Union power ministry has made it mandatory for DISCOMs to open and maintain letters of credit (LCs). This will prove to be a reassuring payment-security mechanism under power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with generation companies. Another motivating initiative of the government is the recent 20-40 per cent financial subsidy for new residential rooftop solar installations. This will significantly accelerate the pace of such roof-top installations. But what we would really like to see is the alignment of various policies between different Departments of the Government like PGCIL, CEA, SECI and State Agencies, which can smoothen the implementation of projects and can invite more investments into the country.

Technology is moving forward all the time, is there anything that you’re looking forward to seeing happen in the next few years?

Technological innovations and developments are the only way forward for a sustainable market. In the solar industry, various breakthroughs have been achieved to increase the Wp rating and efficiency of the PV modules. There have also been developments in the Inverters, leading to higher power and voltage ratings, higher DC overloading, string inverters suitable for large PV plants, etc. Developments in the tracking technology & robotic dry module cleaning systems, have also been promising. Various innovations are ongoing in the areas of Floating solar, Hybrid and Battery storage projects. Apart from lithium ion batteries, there are many other technologies where experiments are being

Engie’s experience in India has been encouraging despite challenges encountered by the

conducted in the laboratories and expected to hit the commercial market soon. Engie has

renewable industry in general. The major challenges faced generally have been around

around 1000 researchers in the world with various labs, with a dedicated lab for lithium ion

land acquisition, inter-coordination between various governmental agencies, evacuation

batteries. Hydrogen as a means of storage is also being studied.

approvals, etc.

To Improve the grid stability, there has been a lot of emphasis on forecasting & scheduling

Where do you see the Solar Energy industry in India poised for the next 10 years? What are your growth plans for the Indian market?

of the renewable power. Many Innovative solutions for the same are now available in the market and further improvements on many aspects are ongoing.

All these advances are promising as they will lead to improvement in project economies.

With the government initiatives enforced across the country, India is poised to grow rapidly in achieving the target of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022. India has a large potential for renewable energy and the government has set up massive goals for solar power generation.

In the next 10 years, India is set to be one of the largest solar power producers with the generation being used across industries, agriculture, homes, etc. Considering this huge potential, Engie has ambitious plans for India and would aim to be one of the key players in the solar and wind industry in India, as long as the policies and initiatives by the Indian government remain supportive.

India is now producing the world’s cheapest solar power, what are your views on the same?

Technological innovations and developments are the only way forward for a sustainable market. In the solar industry, various breakthroughs have been achieved to increase the Wp rating and efficiency of the PV modules.

Healthy competition leads to the growth of the industry. India is an extremely competitive market, and this factor has been the key in shaping the economics of the sector. As long as the pricing in the renewable market can produce power efficiently, without compromising on the quality of the plants, it will continue to be adopted by the industry. We also believe that there should be enforcement of minimum specifications in order to ensure that quality is not comprised while trying to be competitive.

The path forward is to be competitive by using new and innovative technologies to build high-efficiency power plants. Hybrid power plants, battery storage, floating solar plants, etc. are some of the high potential markets in the immediate future. LCOE would be a crucial factor for driving hybrid tenders either with Solar PV + Storage or Solar PV + Wind or all three PV + Wind + Storage together, where PLF can be maximized with optimum capex and opex.

What are your views on the Government policies? Do you think they have brought about the intended benefits?

The Government’s targets are quite ambitious. It has set a target of installing 175 GW

With the government initiatives enforced across the country, India is poised to grow rapidly in achieving the target of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022. India has a large potential for renewable energy and the government has set up massive goals for solar power generation.

of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydropower. This has given impetus for the renewable energy sector to grow rapidly.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 20

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 21

In Conversation

“India Has Already Overtaken The Us And Has Become The Second Largest Solar Power Market In The World” Mr. Harjinder Kamboj, Head-Quality, Azure

Where do you see the Solar Energy industry in India poised for the next 10 years?

The Mounting structure shall be so designed to withstand the speed for the wind zone of

Solar Energy Industry is expected to grow at very fast pace in India owing to majorly four

It may be ensured that the design has been certified by a recognized Lab / Institution and

positive factors:

submit Wind Load calculation sheet to MEDA.

i) Robust demand due to good economic growth;

Suitable fastening arrangement and grouting should be provided in order to secure the

ii) Increasing investment because the sector has become quite attractive for both foreign

installation against the specific wind speed.

and domestic investors; iii) Policy support as Government has ramped-up target to achieve 100GW solar installation by 2022. Hopefully, this trend would continue beyond 2022 as well. iv) Competitiveness advantage that India has because of availability of sunlight throughout the year.

We have seen that in recent years, growth of solar energy in emerging markets had been phenomenal. India has already overtaken the US and has become the second largest solar power market in the world, in terms of solar power installations.

The country currently stands at almost 25 GW of grid-connected solar power capacity as compared to 9 GW in 2015. Large scale solar installations in India account for 87 percent solar capacity while rooftop sector has also picked-up. Last year, solar accounted for nearly 53 percent of new energy capacity additions in the country and this is great news for solar

the location where a PV system is proposed to be installed.

The mounting structure steel shall be as per latest IS 2062: 1992 and galvanization of the mounting structure shall be in compliance of latest IS 4759.

Structural material shall be corrosion resistant and electrolytically compatible with the materials used in the module frame, its fasteners, nuts and bolts.

Aluminium structures also can be used, particularly in rooftop installations which can withstand the wind speed of respective wind zone.

Apart from design and selection of suitable steel grade, it is also necessary to protect the structure parts from rusting either by coating or anodization.

Suppliers, having robust manufacturing and Coating facilities should be selected for supply of structures.

sector.

Do We Need Stricter Product Certification Guidelines And Quality

For a developing country like India, where electricity for every home was once considered

Standards For The Solar Sector?

a dream is now close to reality. The government initiative of ‘power for all’ is changing the

Yes, off course. As I said earlier, there is tremendous pressure on cost of the projects. So,

socio-economic structure of the country. In fact, people are demand 24x7 power supply

wherever possible, component manufacturers would try to optimze the cost.

and Government is also working tirelessly to fulfil their demand.

The sector also has immense potential to create new jobs; 1 GW of Solar manufacturing facility generates approximately 4000 direct and indirect jobs. In addition, solar deployment, operations and maintenance creates additional recurring jobs in the sector.

Are we seeing a major push towards better & smarter technology in solar sector by the EPC contractors?

With power tariff hitting all time low, developers are under tremendous pressure on cost.

So, at present, more focus is on reduction of project cost per KWp, while maintaining quality of equipment and construction at the same level.

However, a lot of developments have been seen in this regard, like; � Development and use of new construction machinery and tools for a quick project handling. � Optimization of efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic systems. � Use of String Inverters rather than Central Inverters in order to minimise the mis-match losses and to maximise the output. � R&D of utility-scale energy storage systems for stabilization of regional power grids. � Combination of Wind, Solar and even fuel-based energy sources in Hybrid Power Plants. � Co-operation with energy suppliers and grid operators for an utmost environmentallyfriendly and inexhaustible source of energy. � Remote installation monitoring by drone-based system.

Solar project should be designed for a life of 25 years. What quality parameters should mounting structures adhere to, in order to sustain over this period?

Solar Mounting Structures are critical components in solar power plants, which support the solar panels on the ground or on rooftops. They ensure the structural stability of the solar system.

Solar panels need secure fastening to the roof or ground to protect against high velocity winds. Moreover, solar panels also require protection against water logging and other elements that gather on the ground or on the roof. Mounting structures must adhere to adverse environment conditions.

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Therefore, in order to ensure the desired Quality of the components, stricter Product Certifications and Quality Standards must be implemented on all critical equipments, like PV Modules, Transformer, Inverters, Cable, Panels, Module Mounting Structures etc.

Inspection and Testing must be ensured at factory before these components are shipped to sites.

As we know that PV module being most expensive and critical items in the PV Plant, so special focus must be given on selection and qualification of module suppliers through review of IEC / BIS certificates, factory audits, close monitoring of quality parameters during production and pre-shipment inspection according to relevant standards.

In order to ensure reliability of PV Modules, sequential testing method need to be incorporated.

List some of the challenges you come across while developing a project?

Despite of tremendous efforts from Government to promote Clean Energy in India, Solar industry has been facing a lot of barriers, like: � Training and development of human resources to drive industry growth and PV adoption. � The lack of closer industry-government cooperation for the technology to achieve scale. � Land allotment & PPA signing is a long procedure under the Generation Based Incentive scheme. � Lack of better financing infrastructure, models and arrangements. � Lack of collaborative, focused and goals driven R&D to help India attain technology leadership. � Domestic manufacturing failed to take advantage of Safe-Guard import duty imposed on PV Solar Modules, even after one year of imposition. Government should consider some other way-out in order to help the domestic Solar manufacturing sector. � There is a need for more promotional incentives by Government and better industrygovernment co-operation in order to give a further push the Solar Industry in India.

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 22

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In Conversation

“We Often Act As Chief Trouble-Shooters For Key EPC Or Rooftop Players For Civil And Structural Issues” Mr. Nimish Prabhukhanolkar, Partner, Agami Engineering

Can you give a brief introduction of your Company and it’s offering in Solar Sector.

Agami Engineering is a Mumbai-based Structural Engineering Company active in multiple Sectors – Solar, Real Estate and Industrial. Our key job is to design structures. We are

Although almost everyone agrees on the problem, I doubt if anyone has any firm and practical solution for the same. We on our part, keep trying to spread awareness on how robustness of design can be assured, and where weak points are left in current designs.

Consulting Domain. This consists of Product design support for R&D in new products,

Technology is moving forward all the time. Is there anything that you would look forward to seeing happen in next few years?

Vendor Reviews, technical due-diligence for pre-bid studies, PEB studies, Carport and

In Indian Scenario, the performance standards for mounting structures have to be looked

other special structures designs – we often act as chief trouble-shooters for key EPC or

into, and made more strict in coming years. There have to be bound guidelines that allow

Rooftop players for Civil and Structural issues.

innovation on design and performance of structures.

Major part of our understanding of the nuances of wind design of Solar Mounting

It is only in these situations, that technology starts playing a bigger role. That is when

Structures has been after serving tracker segment, in design and engineering of their

people start thinking - I need to innovate to satisfy these conditions laid out and save

product.

money / time or improve quality. That is how, one can differentiate and win projects.

We always look forward to solving challenging and fascinating problems – be it a complex

Without the above, there is not much pressure to innovate – rather the innovations are just

one of the very few consultants, who have a considerable portfolio in Solar Structural

long spanned solar structure, or a product design that involves high quality analysis and engineering.

What have been some of the technology new trends in the Module Mounting Structure Domain? Is India geared up for the same?

optimistic assumptions in design and not real innovations per se. I could be wrong, but this has been my observation for some years now.

Apart from the above, one the positive side, I am keenly following India and global Solarabove-agriculture scene. The Indian government released it’s first policy document on the subject a few weeks ago. The key question here is – how do I ensure my farm production does not fall below , say 20% and I can still cover the farm with elevated Solar to the

As with other sectors, globally there are many visible and interesting technology trends in

maximum extent possible, allowing farming activities. The person who gives a good

module mounting Structures. Some examples of this might be -

solution to this, has a good business model to succeed in this space. There are many

� There are some interesting attempts at creating Y-shaped east-west facing structures

agri-research institutes over the world studying this question. It would be a great boost

that form a continuous canopy. Forming a continuous canopy results in a much higher

to farmer incomes if this can be achieved in India and we are going to be keenly watching

coverage as well as a highly efficient structural form. If this orientation gets a nod

this space.

from PV Generation side, this can represent a highly optimized but extremely resilient

One other space that we are watching is the EV vehicles segment, there is space for a

system. In these times of falling module prices, this could be a good alternative to explore. � There are a few companies trying to explore “wire-rope” based mounting systems.

“products” based company in India, for creating quality solar carports, which look aesthetic and are robust, to serve the needs of the incoming EV Revolution. We are trying actively in this zone to develop our own products as well.

Wire ropes are the ones used for many other civil applications like pre-stressing/posttensioning. Using a wire-rope “truss” allows one to span long distances in minimum steel consumption. This system is especially suited for long spans like canal-tops or long-span carports. We have been involved in some capacity in this system for one client, and our numbers suggest this gives you 30-50% benefit over rigid structures – for long spans beyond 20 m. Wire rope-based structures have already been used for long span structures like Stadium Roofs. � Flat Roof-top global scenario is also showing significant innovation – where there is pressure to create robust “non-penetrating” systems in flat roofs. The use of “winddeflector” screen+ballast is a case in point. The costs of these systems however, make them unsustainable in India, for now atleast � Then there are the alternate material variants – using Plastics for creation of MMS. For e.g. Glass Reinforced Nylon. There is an interesting news report by PV Magazine(link) – which gives a case of such an array surviving a more than design-windspeed event,

In

Indian

Scenario,

the

performance

standards for mounting structures have to be looked into, and made more strict in coming years. There have to be bound guidelines that allow innovation on design and performance of structures.

when conventional were damaged. We here, are far from adopting such cutting edge trends, since a large amount of R&D needs to be in place to create bankability for use of such a product. Also, till economies of scale drive down prices, commercials would not support use of such plastics in India.

The India-specific scene in Mounting Structures is unfortunately, not that great. Most solar structures are designed by fabricators, and there is a noticeable dearth of highend analysis like wind-tunnel studies, CFD studies, detailed 3D connection studies before people firm up and launch out their products.

Do you think low Solar Tariffs have an impact on the quality of Solar Products and Structures?

Most definitely. This is more so than other domains, where things are more crystallized , for example wires, or invertors – in terms of their output/performance parameters. Module mounting structures should ideally withstand a 1 in 25 year event of hurricanes. This creates a forgiving situation where; even substandard structures and designs can survive in market – till that kind of event actually happens!

There

are

some

interesting

attempts

at creating Y-shaped east-west facing structures that form a continuous canopy.

Forming a continuous canopy results in a much higher coverage as well as a highly efficient structural form.

With decreasing tariffs therefore, we are seeing the industry move towards less and less robust designs – based on highly optimistic assumptions, and buoyed by an apparent sense of confidence in not being hit by an extreme event.

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In Conversation

“We Are Offering Solar Energy Products With Bigger Ranges And Better Warranties” Mr. Nikunj Patel, Founder & CEO, Australian Premium Solar (India) Pvt. Ltd

Could you please tell us about Australian premium solar presence in India?

We are present in India since 2013. We began our operation in India only as solar module manufacturers, having annual production capacity of 20 MW. And now, after 6 years of dedication and hard work, we have grown into one of the fastest growing solar solution provider company which includes the roles of solar module manufacturing and solar inverter supply. We have been supplying our modules and inverters pan India. We aim to become one of the largest solar energy solution providers of India through our insatiable hunger for top quality of products and services.

Kindly give us an insight on Australian premium solar (APS) product portfolio along with the service offering for the Indian market?

We are offering solar energy products with bigger ranges and better warranties. We are offering solar modules ranging from 40 Wp to 350 Wp. We are also conducting a trial run of our own brand of inverters with 500 of our current customers since last 6 months, and till now they all seem to be pretty satisfied with its performance. So, now we are introducing it in this year’s REI. We are offering a range of 1 KW to 80 KW for inverters to fulfil residential, commercial, institutional and commercial requirements.

Along with this we are also supplying other top brands of inverters as per the customer requirements as well.

What differentiates your company’s offering from your competitors?

We have seen a trend in the Indian market that most of the large scale system

integrators are coming from a manufacturing background. Whereas, we have been working as system installers/integrators since more than a decade in Australia. So, we are well aware of the issues faced by the integrators, and we have kept our R&D focused accordingly and we are manufacturing modules and supplying inverters keeping those things in mind. So, that experience becomes very handy when we are bringing in something new or when we are providing after-sale service. That is where we are different from our competitors. We offer better warranty and better quality at most competitive prices. Most of our customers are affiliated with us for a longer time period, majorly because of the quality of product as well as the after-sale service.

We are different because we know all the aspects of the work we are doing, let it be R&D or manufacturing. The other major difference is that we are providing products for wide range, from residential to utility, and we also provide all major components, making us a one stop solution for installers as well as end users.

Could you please shed some light on Australian premium solar’s desirable target for the year 2019-2020?

This is something which has been our strength. We always have a very clear picture about in which direction we are heading. Right now we are standing at 100 MW of annual production, and we are looking forward to making it 250 MW. The company started in 2008 with Just 4500 AUD, and from there, in 11 years, we have grown to become one of the largest solar energy company in Australia, and have grown to achieve a cumulative turnover of more than INR 600 Cr. From our group of companies.

We have been following one simple strategy of doubling the turn over each year, and till now it has worked perfectly for us. For India we have a target of achieving turnover of INR 200 Cr by the end of year 2020.

“Heraeus Photovoltaics have a strong global presence with multiple manufacturing, R&D, sales & application engineering locations.”

Mr. Bill Gao, Global Commercial Head-Heraeus Photovoltaics Could you give our readers a brief introduction of your company?

What are your plans for the current and next financial year?

Heraeus , founded in 1851 is a globally leading technology group and is one of the top 10 family-owned companies in Germany. In 2018, the group generated revenues in tune of €24 billion. With approximately 13,000 employees in 40 countries, the FORTUNE Global 500-listed company holds a leading position in its global markets.

The Heraeus Photovoltaics (HPT) is an industry leading developer and manufacturer of silver metallization pastes for the photovoltaic industry. Our product has already been used in manufacturing of 130 GW + Solar cell worldwide. We have a strong global presence with multiple manufacturing, R&D, sales, and application engineering locations to serve our customers across geographic & time -zones. The Heraeus SOL SERIES of silver pastes is specially formulated to provide higher efficiencies and wider processing windows, resulting in better yields and higher output for cell manufacturers. We have strategic collaboration and development agreements to help several leading Tier -1 solar cell makers achieve efficiency gains making us the leading player in terms of market share.

Since 2017, we have taken a leadership role in India with help of dedicated local sales & application engineering team. Additionally, we have established dedicated resources in our Engineering & Technology Center in Singapore, to better tailor and further speed up customization of silver pastes for Indian cell manufacturers. As a result, we have solidified our position in the Indian market and have better understanding of customers’ needs and intricacies of serving them as compared to our competitors.

In 2018 , We have launched “ Beyond Paste Products “Electrically Conductive Adhesive (Hecaro®) for Solar Module Manufacturing to increase the overall efficiency without affecting the cost . We are planning to showcase these products in upcoming REI 2019 Expo in India.

What were your highlights in the current financial year?

Heraeus continuous to dedicate resources to help customers achieve lower cost per watt by helping them take their efficiency to new heights. Earlier this year, we launched SOL9661 family of silver metallization paste which has received an overwhelming response from the market and boosted our global market share. The industry has appreciated the ultra-fine line print capability, excellent long-term printability, high open circuit voltage (Voc), reduced laydown and overall higher efficiency generated by using the SOL9661 family of pastes.

Our new solution for upcoming technologies like HJT , Top-con has found great level of appreciation from World’s leading Research Institutes and we foresee wide level of acceptance at commercial level in next 2 years .

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What have been the latest trends in demand for your products & services in India? Where do you see the next demand growth coming from?

In last 2 years, we have been able to grab more than 50% market share working with largest Solar cell Manufacturers in India. We are also proud Receipt of “ Solar Cell Material Supplier of the year award 2019 “ by First Media . Indian market is driven by economics and with the recent drop in PV prices the economics have become even more lucrative. We expect this to generate more investment in equipment and advanced technology. While PERC and Bi-Facial technology are very common globally, Indian players are now looking forward to adopting these technologies. These technologies boost solar cell efficiencies to 21-22 %. In general, cell efficiencies are increasing at rapid pace and competing in the market requires increased R&D investments and quick turnaround time in cost reduction and optimization.

This is only possible to achieve by working with companies such as Heraeus that are very innovative, present in entire value chain and have a global footprint With our industry recognized R&D expertise, broad range of advanced products & solutions we expect to be the preferred technical partner for domestic solar cell manufacturers to rely on.

What is Heraeus’s perspective on the current state of the Indian solar market?

Starting from 2 GW in 2014 to 30 GW in 2019, what India has achieved in last 5 years in terms of Solar Installations is phenomenal. Surely the Target of 100 GW by 2022 looks achievable with the support of policy initiatives by Indian Government. Using Tariff Based Reverse Auction mechanism to bring the LCOE to the level of (3.5¢ US) per kilowatt hour has already made world notice and follow the Indian mode of bidding.

While Import will continue to dominate the sector, we also see significant capacity edition in local manufacturing based on demand created by measures like DCR related tenders, duties on imported material and incentive under “MAKE IN INDIA “initiative. Modules Manufacturing is already ramping up with presence of multiple 1GW + size players, Cell manufacturing will follow the suit with Indian corporates even showing interest in setting complete supply chain products.

While this is happening, we are very optimistic about the long-term outlook of the Indian market. With our expanded manufacturing capacity and innovation force, we have enough bandwidth to support the ambitious plans of solar installation and manufacturing in India.

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 27

In Conversation

“Kalpa Power Is An End To End Solution Provider Of Solar Power Plant Projects” Mr. Rounak Muthiyan, Founder Director, Kalpa Power Private Limited

Give us a glimpse about your company presence and offering in the solar sector?

How has GST impacted solar rooftop industry in India?

Kalpa Power is an end to end solution provider of solar power plant projects. Kalpa prides

study published by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water(CEEW) and the

itself in being able to develop solutions which are highly customised, user oriented and seek

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the introduction of GST has led

to maximise benefits through cost effective technology deployment with least operational

to an increase in cost of generation of solar power by almost 6 per cent. The current GST

overheads. Our team of experienced professionals make sure installations across India

structure discourages a potential client to go for solar . With the government aiming for

occur seamlessly at the same high standards ascribed by us to achieve maximum benefits

ambitious target of 100 GW and with current market scenario GST for solar need a relook

from any given locations. We have achieved a capacity of 16 + MW in solar generation

from government. If you observe last three quarters, capacity addition of solar project

across India and have another 15 MW in India and 3 MW in West Asia in the pipeline. We

have been declining. Cut down of GST on Solar rooftop should be major objective of

are in the business of solar power for the last 5 years and have the necessary experience

MNRE, that will boost up solar capacity addition. It is important to continuously monitor

and expertise in Design, Procurement of quality products and project execution, along with

and examine if fiscal measures are being effectively wielded, to support India’s larger

an excellent Finance and Administrative teams which manages the day to day operation

national objectives with implications for sustainable development. The introduction of the

and fund requirement of the company. This results in making timely project execution and

safeguard duty on solar panels has compounded the uncertainty, resulting in delays in

commissioning. Apart from EPC team, we also have strong Operation and Maintenance

deployment of solar projects. Combined with the imposition of safeguard duty (making

team which ensures proper monitoring of installed solar power plant and aims for zero

majority of the PV panels used expensive) and the cap on solar power tariffs, the GST

break down, by having real time monitoring system as every single unit generation from

impact may have a bearing on the profitability of companies in this sector.

GST has indeed made an impact on capital cost of solar project. According to a recent

solar power plant counts.

Where do you see your Kalpa Power 10 years from now?

Without subsidies, in 2016, globally solar became more competitive than the coal based or thermal power plants. Since then, the solar prices have come down substantially. In 2012, less than 10% of the annual capacity added in the world came from solar. Last year, it was over 25%. Hence there are huge growth opportunities. You have got a situation where the market is projected to grow fast and by 2022 , approximately 2% to 3% of the electricity will be generated by solar globally. The opportunity over the next 10 years is immense because this number will have to go up and become a substantial number for the world energy market. As we are expanding our operation on a global level, along with current projects in pipeline we are optimistic we can make a remarkable achievement in the field of Renewable energy globally in the next 10 years. We have cumulative target of 50 MW in next 2-3 years.

Taking forward our knowledge and expertise in solar, we are venturing into solar powered Electric Vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Traditional electricity sourced from conventional sources is expensive, and losses are high to convert electricity from AC to the required standards for EVSE for charging. Hence solar and EVSE are a natural fit. We’ve already received an EoI from large corporate and government entities in this regard. We have

With the government aiming for ambitious target of 100 GW and with current market scenario GST for solar need a relook from government. If you observe last three quarters, capacity addition of solar project have been declining. Cut down of GST on Solar rooftop should be major objective of MNRE, that will boost up solar capacity addition.

started development in this sector by designing and manufacturing of efficient smart chargers for electric vehicles which are expected to hit the market by the end of FY 2019 or by early FY 2020.

What are the key drivers of growth in the solar rooftop segments?

Solar power provides a decentralized option to address growing power needs of a vastexpansive country like India. Kalpa power envisions to fulfill the needs of the country by providing cheap and affordable power. Solar power can be designed to size so as to meet the needs and requirements of the urban as well as the rural people of India by providing independence from foreign sources of energy, thus enabling stable energy prices for the future. Increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbonintensive energy sources and significantly reduce India’s total CO2 emissions.

High energy cost and tariffs usually affects the operating margins of many manufacturers, industry and commercial complexes. Green and clean energy being a prime objective and step towards sustainable development, has been a major key drivers in the solar rooftop segments. This initiative is taken by many leading industries. Another key driver for growth is net metering policy, which encourages end consumer to take benefit of excess generation from solar power plant.

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The opportunity over the next 10 years is immense because this number will have to go up and become a substantial number for the world energy market. As we are expanding our operation on a global level, along with current projects in pipeline we are optimistic we can make a remarkable achievement in the field of Renewable energy globally in the next 10 years.

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 29

In Conversation

“Ginlong Has Gained The Trust Of The Customers With Strict Product Requirements By Winning The EUPD Award” Mr. Idrish Khan, CTO, Ginlong Solis

RE sector?

What kind of potential do you see for Ginlong Solis in India’s upcoming EV marketing?

Established in 2005, Ginlong Technologies, the manufacturer of Solis Inverters, is the only

We are still evaluating the best solutions possible to propose, Recent push for the EV

publicly traded company with a primary focus on string inverters went public and was

segment in the Union Budget has expedited adaptability among the people. Planning is to

Let’s being with a glimpse of your company’s presence in India’s

listed on the Shenzen Stock (Stock Code: 300763.SZ) Exchange in March 2019, which helps to strengthen customers’ confidence in building long-term partnerships with Ginlong

launch good products for this segment very soon.

Ginlong has spread their service network across the country having HQ in Mumbai with

Ginlong soils have been awarded the title of “Top Inverter Brand” by the world-famous photovoltaic authority research organization EUPD for four consecutive years. How will you keep up the momentum?

telephonic service support call center setup, and local service person stationed in Delhi,

Ginlong have gained the trust of the customers with strict product requirements by

Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, to reach out to customer site with less time span

winning the EUPD award form last four consecutive years this award also provides a clear

to address customer problems.

guidance for investors, owners and installers of distributed PV power stations in choosing

Solis. Since 2017 Ginlong has started the operations in India and we understand Indian customer requirement and considering that we have taken all necessary step to meet the customer requirements , in terms of quick service support, local service stock points, so

What are the different product and services you offer in the Indian & Global market? � Product and services that we offer are: Solis String Inverter range: 0.7kW – 125kW

SOLIS MINI –

0.7kW – 3.6kW (1 MPPT)

SOLIS 1P -

2.5kW – 6kW (2 MPPT)

SOLIS 1P -

7kW – 10kW (3 MPPT)

SOLIS Three Phase - 5kw – 20kW (2 MPPT)

SOLIS Three Phase - 20kw – 40kW (4 MPPT)

SOLIS Three Phase - 40kw – 70kW (4 MPPT)

Dual DSP/CPU Transformer-less design

Wide input voltage range, flexible installation of panels in each string

Dual MPPT on the inverters > 4kW

4 MPPT on >20kW

inverters at home and abroad., we keep up the momentum as A Legacy Of Excellence.

Please let us know Ginlong Solis company vision for next fiscal year in India?

We target to ship more then 1GW of inverter supplies by end of 2020.

What has been your growth story during FY18 and what is the forecast for FY19?

According to BTI report in FY18 we were ranked number 5 while this FY19 we ranked number 2.

India is a very competitive market. How do you keep ahead of the competition?

Ginlong technologies is always focus on continues development on the product to meet the local demand and requirement, recently we introduce (5G series) in Indian market which has brought get success for Solis in Indian market. The new 5G models bring “efficient, intelligent, reliable” customer value, suitable for commercial roofs, residential roofs and other distributed scenarios.

Small, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing cases allowing for easy install in domestic environments

Maximum efficiency >99%

Ginlong has spread their service network

IP65 rated for external installation

across the country having HQ in Mumbai with

AFCI Function

telephonic service support call center setup,

� New Products 2019 � RAI-3K-48ES-5G

and local service person stationed in Delhi,

� Solis-1P (7-8) K-5G

Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, to

� RHI-1P (5-10) K-HVES-5G

reach out to customer site with less time

� Solis-1P (25-50) K-5G � Solis-(80-110) K-5G

span to address customer problems.

� Solis-125K-EHV-5G � We offer 5 years standard (extend to 20 years) warranty. � Regarding the service, � Unmatched experience across 60+ countries

We are still evaluating the best solutions

� High reliability

possible to propose, Recent push for the EV

� Limited time to ensure fast service

segment in the Union Budget has expedited

� Technical support--local service for after-sales � We provide services like telephonic support, engineer site visit and inverter replacement door to door service in case of any fault. And strategically located our service engineer at Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

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adaptability among the people. Planning is to launch good products for this segment very soon.

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 31

In Conversation

“We Are Committed To Bring Latest Technologies & Greater Efficiency Solar Modules To Reduce LCOE On All Solar Projects” Mr. Prashant Mathur, CMO, Adani Solar

You are a global leader in the solar industry. Could you please tell us about your current business presence in India?

Please could you shed some light on your plans for India over the

Adani Solar is the Solar PV manufacturing arm of Adani Group, one of India’s largest

We are targeting to elevate Wattage peaks in our modules. For Multi-crystalline modules

businesses spanning across Resources. Logistics, Energy, Agri and ancillary industries. Our

at 345-355 Wp. With the Mono PERC we are targeting to hit 380-390 Wp in the next 6

company is the largest & only vertically integrated cell & module manufacturer in India

months and with the half cut technology we are targeting to deliver 390-400 Wp in the

with 1.2 GW capacity. We continue to increase our presence with large EPC & medium EPC

next 6 months’ time period. We are working on new technologies which will get us to more

–that continues to be our bread & butter segment.

than 400 Wp in the next 12 months’ time period.

Apart from that we are focused on expanding our retail presence/ footprints. We have

We see trend is now moving towards Mono PERC and there are good prospects for

channel partners all over India, through which we are now going deeper in to the market and becoming the choice of our consumer who would demand Adani Solar modules from their EPC companies, so in terms of brand visibility Adani Solar is now getting deeper in to the rural market as well as the last mile connectivity with the customers.

Tell us more about the latest innovations in your product and solution offerings for the Indian market.

We continue to make innovations in our products, with greater efficiency and bringing latest products in the global market. Bifacial and half-cut cells, N heterojunction, Multi bus bars etc. and the kind of technologies we will bring to India that is gaining popularity globally. To mention a few, in multi-crystalline modules we continue to produce highest Wattage modules of 335 – 345 Wp, in MonoPERC series of modules of 365 – 380 Wattages

next 12 months?

products such as Multi bus bar, heterojunction and half cut cell modules in the near future.

It should be noted that we are the only manufacturer in India to produce high efficiency monofacial and bifacial modules. We are confident of boosting these efficiencies. Our objective is to achieve a capacity of above 400 Wp modules in the next 6 to 8 months.

What technical advantages Adani Solar providers to their consumer?

Since inception of Adani Solar, we have been the early adopters in the production and manufacturing technology. Adani Solar is India’s first vertically integrated business that offers products along with services across the spectrum of photovoltaic manufacturing and yes going forward, we will convert greater capacity from Multi to Mono depending

and we also have Bifacial modules, though in India Bifacial modules are not popular, but

on LCOE trends.

we feel that in future Bifacial will become more popular.

PV Industry is seeing some interesting changes on the PERC, PERT, HJT, TopCon manufacturing where multiple manufacturers are trying new technologies. There are

What exciting opportunities do you see in the Indian and global markets?

certain technologies that offer very high wattages but that do not support the LCOE

I think solar has now taken the pace which we envisioned several years way back, that

driving costs lower and we at Adani Solar are geared to meet the LCOE roadmap.

brought us into solar manufacturing. Now the cost of developing solar energy is so low that more people are adapting to solar energy that gives us a whole new canvas in India,

benefits at current market conditions due to high input cost. Economy of scale should be

Adani has been awarded as the most Reliable PV module

like we see opportunities on the Rooftop. In terms of penetration, the rooftop segment is

manufacturer. How would you like to keep the momentum?

less explored compared to Utility and ground mount projects. In future, more roofs will be

After achieving Top Performer ratings during early June 2019 in terms of performance &

solar powered. Rooftop solar will become more popular and that’s going to be a driving force for India.

reliability among all its industry peers in the PVEL scorecard report for two consecutive years 2018 & 2019, Adani Solar emerged as the only Indian manufacturer considered

Globally solar is now no longer a developed nation’s commodity, it is now getting popular

as a bankable company for projects outside India, ahead of many other Indian solar

in Far East countries and more developing countries are now adapting solar. Many projects

manufacturers in terms of brand recognition.

and opportunities happening now in Middle East countries, Africa, South America which never had solar earlier, are now realizing that solar is very competitive and it produces clean energy. Globally now solar has arrived, and that is what we see opportunities everywhere.

Would you be focusing on international/ export market. If so, how different is Indian PV module market from the International market?

Now Indian PV Market is evolving at a faster pace. Earlier it was a price sensitive market, as the customer would not realize that the product which they bought may perform or not, because a mediocre product will stop generating power after few or prolonged usage.

Quality, Brand & the supplier credentials are now becoming more important. People are now paying that extra to get that better quality from reliable suppliers. So a lot of this has

We honor and acknowledge such accomplishments and ratings from globally renowned bodies like PVEL and BNEF. In solar Industry, vertically integrated manufacturers like Adani Solar are more often considered bankable than non-vertically integrated ones as they have both control over process and quality. Such accreditations demonstrate that Adani Solar is a committed manufacturer which has implemented state-of-the-art facility with best industry practices ensuring superior performance and reliability of its products.

Quality, Costs and Performance are key concern areas for Indian project developers. How would you like to address these issues for your offerings in India?

I think solar modules are already at their lowest in terms of pricing, we don’t see it moving

changed that was never there in Indian market. In International market, the customers

up and down by more than 4 to 5 % in the next few years, but the cost of ownership of

were well aware of the importance of quality and the manufacturers background, which is

the projects built will continue to go down and not by a big margin, because the module

now being considered important in India as well

prices won’t go down but high efficiencies modules will become more popular, that’ll drive the balance of system costs lower, so we still see that the project cost overall will go down,

With a growing competition from Indian as well as global companies, is there sufficient demand in India to match the supply?

At times, Indian demand actually outmatches the supply, so I think there is a huge demand in India, it will continue to grow. Now with customers getting more aware, they are realizing

which will make projects viable. So our offerings will be to give the best quality product at the most competitive price and to stand with the product performance and after sales service that is going to be our USP coming from a well-diversified group.

What differentiates your company’s offerings from your peers?

the importance and prefer to buy products from Indian manufacturers who will stand with

I think the most important offering for any module manufacturer is the reliability, i.e. product

the product if there is any issue. At least they will be sure who the supplier is? What will be

reliability and company’s reliability. With Adani Solar you get both, as we manufacture cells

the warranty and how will be the after sales support?

and modules in house, we are also looking to set up wafer and ingot facility, which will be

Global competition is good; because that drives and motivates us to be on our toes, by

one-of-its-kind in India. We are bringing the best quality product along with the reliability

bringing the best products at the best competitive price. But there is no dearth of demand

associated with the Group. That is our differentiating factor from other manufacturers who

in India with the government policies in favor of solar, this will go up indeed.

are only dependent on solar business.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 32

2018

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Lifetime Free Access to

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Hall 5

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5.66 Solar Quarter • August 2019 33

In Conversation

“We Have To Continuously Enhance Our Quality And Adopt Latest Technologies So We Are Not Focusing On EPC Or Tenders Business” Mr. Vikas Jain, Director, Insolation Energy P. Ltd.

Could you give our readers a brief introduction of your company?

Insolation Energy is being Promoted by Vikas Jain & Manish Gupta both are Engineers from Education Background and company was incorporated in 2016.

We begun our commercial production from year 2017 April with an Fully automatic line of capacity 80 MW. It is one of the most advanced plant installed in North India having manufacturing base in Jaipur on NH8.

There is too much pressure in India on the cost of solar Modules we strive hard to keep our prices competitive without any compromise

What are the services provided by your company? What makes

in quality. Since last two years we have been

you stand apart from other players in the market?

able to supply good quality panels in market

We are purely into Panels Manufacturing keeping our complete focus on manufacturing

and customers are gaining confidence in our

only. WE believe still there is lot of R&D going on in this field and we have to continuously

quality and we have receving repeat orders

enhance our quality and adopt latest technologies so we are not focusing on EPC or tenders business.

What according to you has been the biggest milestone on your path?

The decision to invest in good equipment and selection of right team has been biggest

from the satisfied customers now. In the past it has been observed that some Chinese companies failed to provide warranty claims and replacement to indian EPC companies

milestone without which we would not be able to reach at this positon. At the start of plant

.Since we are a local company we can

we got an order for 2.3 MW plant in Ujjain were we could prove our quality and this was

address their concerns better.

the biggest milestone in our growth.

As a module manufacturer, what trend do you expect in the race in Module Technology?

New trends are Twin Peak / Bifacial and Mono PERC. We have already started making MONO PERC modules and are In process of quality updation for Bifacial and Twin Peak Modules.

Module Quality, Costs, and Performance are key concern areas

India has been our biggest market as of now

for Indian project developers. How would you like to address

but we trying very hard to reach markets of

these issues for your offerings in India?

Middle East Africa and Latin America. We

There is too much pressure in India on the cost of solar Modules we strive hard to keep

hope to get some good orders from these

our prices competitive without any compromise in quality. Since last two years we have been able to supply good quality panels in market and customers are gaining confidence in our quality and we have receving repeat orders from the satisfied customers now. In the past it has been observed that some Chinese companies failed to provide warranty claims and replacement to indian EPC companies .Since we are a local company we can address their concerns better.

countries in near future.

Currently our capacity is 80 MW per Annum we are going to make the size double in this fiscal alongwith modules we are also

What are your plans for the current and next financial year?

India has been our biggest market as of now but we trying very hard to reach markets of Middle East Africa and Latin America. We hope to get some good orders from these countries in near future.

Currently our capacity is 80 MW per Annum we are going to make the size double in this fiscal alongwith modules we are also planning for a cell line and a Lithium batter line. This

planning for a cell line and a Lithium batter line. This year we plan to do a business of 100 cr. We have target of atleast 25% growth YoY.

year we plan to do a business of 100 cr. We have target of atleast 25% growth YoY.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 34

M W M MW W

kW To kW To kW To Energy Management Solutions Energy Management Solutions Energy Management Solutions with DYNAPOWER Technology When Every Second Counts....

When Every Second Counts....

When Every Second Counts....

Raychem RPG’s Raychem RPG’s Plug To Plug in to Raychem RPG’s Plug To Energy Storage Plug To Energy Storage Solutions Solutions Energy Storage Both AC & DC Coupled Solutions

& Experience & Experience & Experience

Round the Clock Power 24 x 7 Round the Clock Power 24 x Round the Clock Power 24 x 7 7

1 – 30 KW 1 1– – 30 30 KW KW Commercial 1 – 30 KW & Commercial Commercial & & Residential Segments Commercial & Residential Residential Segments Segments Residential Segments

> 100 KW > > 100 100 KW KW Utility & Industrial > 100 KW Utility & Industrial Utility & Industrial Segments Utility & Industrial Segments Segments Segments

Peak Shaving Peak Shaving Peak Shaving Frequency Regulation Frequency Regulation Frequency Regulation Firm Renewable Power Firm Renewable Power Firm Renewable Power

1 1

# # #

Pioneering Pioneering Pioneering Energy Energy Energy Solutions Solutions Solutions

Critical Load Back-up Years Years Make In India InYears Energy Make In India In Energy Make In India In Energy Industry Industry Industry

30 30

raychemrpg.com/solar.php raychemrpg.com/solar.php raychemrpg.com/solar.php raychemrpg.com/solar.php w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m

re@raychemrpg.com re@raychemrpg.com re@raychemrpg.com re@raychemrpg.com

+91 8879613521 +91 +91 8879613521 8879613521 +91 8879613521 Solar Quarter • August 2019 35

In Conversation

“Raychem RPG is the pioneer in Energy Storage Systems which is the key for ensuring dispatchable solar energy” Mr. Nitin Sharma, Vice President – Energy (Head-EMS), Raychem RPG

Raychem RPG has a huge varied portfolio of offerings for solar sector. Can you give us more insights on it?

Raychem RPG is the pioneer in Energy Storage Systems which is the key for ensuring dispatchable solar energy. The company has a wide range of products for Solar and Energy

c. Development of next generation products – The technical team from Raychem RPG and Dynapower collaborate together in developing next generation products for the world.

diesel generator for supplying firm power to power electronics manufacturing line was

How do you manage to provide quality after sales service to your prestigious customer base?

deployed and commissioned by Raychem RPG in March 2018.

Raychem RPG has a fairly well evolved 3R concept for customer service – Reliable, Responsive

Storage Systems. The FIRST MW Scale Project integrated with solar power and back-up

Raychem RPG has set-up a new manufacturing facility in India for bi-directional inverters for energy storage integration. This facility produces power conversion systems for global supplies.

To add to this, I would also like to mention that Raychem RPG is also the leader in supply of multi-winding solar transformers with over 6 GW of supplies for solar projects in India. We innovated multi-winding transformers and kept pace with the evolution of solar inverters and emerging requirements for solar developers.

Moreover, Raychem RPG’s flagship products for connection and insulation systems ensure safety, security and longevity of solar fields. All these products are designed and manufactured with 25 years of life time, as required for solar projects. We supply Cable jointing and termination kits, transformer connection systems, safety products and

and Receptive. The company has Pan-India service presence to ensure that customers get First Time Right Service with complete life cycle promise for their investments.

Raychem RPG is also one of the very few companies to have attained excellence level of TPM that ensures that all the products manufactured and/or supplied by us are quality products and delivered to customer sites on time.

How the solar industry will evolve in the next 2 years?

Renewable energy is showing growing adoption globally and the next frontier is dispatchable renewable energy that is driving the growing adoption of energy storage.

Renewable percentage of the overall energy consumption will keep showing the upward trend. We also see that the consumers will start driving further adoption of Green energy.

equipment, surge & lightening arrestors, string combiner box, to name some.

Utilities across the world are remodelling their business models to become more service

As Solar storage is the current buzzword in the solar industry and Raychem RPG being the pioneer in this segment, what would be the demand outlook for the storage products in 2019?

Energy as a domain and infrastructure is expected to evolve at break-neck speed in the

oriented and giving options to consumers to drive new energy consumption patterns. next two years and keep all major players in the domain on their toes.

Year 2019 is turning out to be the transformational year for energy storage and solar segments. There are three key levers that are working together to create and integrate energy storage with solar markets in India a. Government Policies – Government has come out with FAME-2 for electric mobility, as well as, the Energy Storage Mission and CERC amendment for demand side management for utilities. It is also working with utilities for adoption of future business model along with focus on overall improvement of utility’s financials. Many pilot and demonstration projects are planned to set the base for long term business model for industry players and developers b. Market Dynamics – Growing adoption of energy storage globally has demonstrated

Year 2019 is turning out to be the transformational year for energy storage and solar segments. There are three key levers that are working together to create and integrate energy storage with solar markets in India.

that it is not limited to just one application. The dispatchable power along with multitude of use cases can create business models for developers and utilities to push for hybrid solar + storage or RE + storage projects c. Technology Maturity – There have been several projects globally to demonstrate the actual working of energy storage system with the grid and load sub-systems that gives relevant data points for developers to contain their risk and build credible business models.

Another important factor is that the Battery production is attaining economies of scale leading into supply chain stabilization and passing on the benefits to the customers.

Raychem RPG has done Strategic Technology Partnership with various companies. Can you tell us more about this?

Raychem RPG has done technology collaboration with Dynapower, a global leader in energy storage products and technologies with over 500+ MW of storage projects deployed globally. Raychem RPG collaboration with Dynapower addresses three major areas: a. Manufacturing of power conversion systems in India – These products are customized and stabilized for Indian environment while ensuring global standards. This ensures that the customers doing projects in India and other countries get the benefits of complete technical, commissioning and warranty support from Raychem RPG’s established service network. As the products are 100% localized, there are no global supply chain dependencies and can provides faster customer service b. Global product supplies - Products manufactured at Raychem RPG’s facility in Halol,

Raychem RPG has a fairly well evolved 3R concept for customer service – Reliable, Responsive and Receptive. The company has Pan-India service presence to ensure that customers get First Time Right Service with complete life cycle promise for their investments.

Raychem RPG is also one of the very few companies to have attained excellence level of TPM that ensures that all the products manufactured and/or supplied by us are quality products and delivered to customer sites on time.

Gujarat are exported across the world that ensures that the products are of global standard

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 36

Power Market goes Green

IEX PLANS TO COMMENCE GREEN POWER MARKET

IEX has filed petition in CERC to introduce Green Term-ahead Market (G-TAM). The market would encourage obligated entities i.e. distribution companies, open access consumers and CPP consumers to buy renewable power at competitive rates, to meet their RPO compliance. It would also help RE resource rich states to develop RE capacity beyond their own obligation, thereby creating a trade balance between the RE rich and the deficit states. The signals provided by the market are also expected to result in setting up of new merchant RE capacity.

6,500+ participants located across 29 States & 5 UTs

Electricity Market

55+ Discoms 4,100+ Open access consumers 500+ Generators 143 MU Daily average cleared volume In FY20, 24 solar generators with 1,100 MW capacity, sold 1.9 MU in DAM

Power on Demand

Day-ahead Market (DAM)

24x7 Trading

Term-ahead Market (TAM)

Most competitive Prices

Intraday and Day-ahead Contingency

Flexibility- buy any quantum, any time

Renewable Energy Certificates

Diverse Participation

Solar & Non-Solar Certificates Energy Saving Certificates

(*Statistics for FY’20 as on 30th June, 2019 #MUs=Million Units)

Solar

Wind

/IndianEnergyExchangeLtdIEX

Bio-Mass

@IEXLtd

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IEX is approved and regulated by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)

Hydro

/IndianEnergyExchange

Solar Quarter • August 2019 37

Women Leaders 2019 Anjali Garg

Alina Rizvi CEO & Founder NEWTON POWER & INFRA

Archana Sharma Director ZENOM SOLAR POWER UNIT OF ZENOM VYAPAAR PVT. LTD

Mirunalini VC Director SWELECT ENERGY SYSTEMS LTD

Radhika Choudary Co Founder FREYR ENERGY SERVICES PVT LTD

Shubhra Mohanka Director GAUTAM SOLAR PVT. LTD.

Energy Specialist INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION

Deepika Sandeep Program Manager, Analytics & AI BHARAT LIGHT & POWER PVT. LTD.

Myriam Akhoun EPC Project Manager ENGIE SOLAR

Reena Banerjee Head HR SPRNG ENERGY PVT LTD

Prof. Usha Bajpai Professor and Former Coordinator, Renewable Energy CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF LUCKNOW

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Solar Quarter • April 2019 22 Solar Quarter • August 38

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 39

In Conversation

“We Are The Distributors For High Quality And High Performance Solar Brands Including Huawei, Longi Solar, Rec, Hoymiles, Leoni And Qc Solar” Mr. Brinder Gandhi, Chief Executive Officer, Impulse Green Energy

How has been Impulse Green Energy’s journey so far and what is

Besides, we are planning to train our local service team to be well versed with various

its current scale of operations?

types of defects in modules and also provide them training to have onsite analysis

Impulse started operations around three years ago as a distributor of solar power

capabilities. This is important to provide the customer quick support and opinion since

equipment. We are the distributors for high quality and high performance solar brands

the sites are staggered and at the company representative may sometime take longer

including Huawei, LONGi Solar, REC, Hoymiles, Leoni and QC Solar.

duration to reach the site. However, in case of module defect, nothing can be finalised

In terms of growth in operations, we had a turnover of only about Rs 7 million in 2016-17 but last year, in 2018-19, our turnover was Rs 360 million. This year, in 2019-20, we are expecting to cross Rs 750 million in turnover. This also reflects the growth of the solar power industry in the country as well as the opportunities for good quality equipment manufacturers. The brands we are working with launched their products in the Indian market around the same time when we entered the market. The growth in our bottom line reflects how the strength of their product has increased over these years. The good quality can be gauged from the fact that we have had several repeat customers for these products.

When we talk about the share of inverters and modules, so far the majority of our revenue was from inverters. Here it must be noted that the cost of modules per MW is eight to ten times the inverter cost but we added modules to our portfolio only last year when we started distributing REC modules. LONGi Solar signed us up in 2019 so this year onwards we are expecting the share of modules in our total revenues to be 50 per cent.

What is the split between rooftop and utility-scale solar space?

Majority of our clients are sourcing the products for rooftop projects. So over 70 per cent of our revenue is derived from rooftop segment and remaining from utility-scale projects. Within rooftop, majority of the business is coming from the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment followed by SECI-sponsored government and institutional

until the site is analysed by the manufacturer’s team.

What all new module technologies has LONGi Solar brought in the Indian market?

We started with supplying LONGi Solar’s Monocrystalline PERC modules. The company has recently diversified into Monocrystalline PERC half-cut technology which offers significantly better performance and efficiency. The company is now planning to offer higher capacity modules. Currently, they are offering 375 Wp modules which they plan to increase the module capacity to 420 Wp while keeping the dimension/size similar.

This will be beneficial for C&I users which have limited rooftop space. A higher capacity module will make a significant difference when seen from a 25-year project lifecycle point of view.

Besides, LONGi Solar is also working on the bifacial technology which is suited for both utility and rooftop solar projects. The technology trials have already begun but we are yet to supply these modules. A number of our customers have shown interest for bifacial technology as the difference in power generation using bifacial modules ranges from 7 per cent to 39 per cent, depending on the surface. For instance, if the modules are installed on a snow covered surface, the reflection levels are significantly high and so is the efficiency. In case of a rooftop, the surface of the roof can be painted white to derive the maximum efficiency from bifacial modules.

users. Residential rooftop has only started picking up recently and is expected to gain

The shift from polycrystalline to monocrystalline is already taking place and going

traction in the coming years.

forward, we are likely to witness the shift towards bifacial. The transition is inevitable given that the cost differential is not very significant. It will be an increase of only 7 to 8

Why would project developers source equipment from a distributor and not directly from the manufacturer?

Project developers opt for distributor mostly in the rooftop segment. In the utility-scale market, there is negligible scope for distributor due to the scale of projects. A distributor

per cent in cost terms but efficiency gains will be much higher.

How do these products compare with the competing products in the market which may come at a much lower price?

comes into picture when there is a small expansion or addition in the plant which is to

We are only dealing in premium products as our intent is to supply equipment for a

be done in a short span of time.

project which can be sustainable for a period of 20-25 years. As far as pricing is concerned,

Moreover, rooftop projects are widely spread across. The cost of supplying to such staggered and distributed projects for companies like LONGi and Huawei is similar to

products offered by companies like Huawei, LONGi Solar and REC may come at a 4-5 per cent higher price but the value proposition they offer are much more significant.

the cost of supplying to any large utility-scale projects. For multinational companies like

We try to convince the customer basis the long-term value, good quality and higher

Huawei and LONGi Solar as well, shipping products to a single company will be much

efficiency of the product for which they are willing to pay the premium.

more convenient than shipping to multiple small-scale players. A small rooftop project

Before associating with brands we have analysed the trust factor, the financial strength

owner or developer would not want to bear such high costs. Moreover, a single glitch in

and the longevity of the brand and all our brands though they demand premium over

the process can risk delaying the shipment leading to serious cost implications. In order

prevailing market terms are the leaders in technology & innovation, along with being

to avoid the same, it is better to have a channel partner which will support the customer

very reputable and recognised brands not only in India but international market too

by ensuring that the shipment reaches in time. We maintain adequate stock in order to meet the immediate door delivery requests as well besides being the local and reliable point of contact to address any issues.

Which industry verticals are witnessing a greater movement towards solar power?

All industries where power consumption is high are moving towards to solar power.

How does the after sales service function in this case?

Manufacturing industry including automotive, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles

Impulse has its own team of after sales service. The team is trained by our vendors. But

and data centres, is emerging as one of the highest installers of solar power projects.

this is mostly relevant for inverters as the after sale service for modules is negligible. The

Large educational institutes are moving towards solar due the benefits offered under

only challenge with solar modules is that they need to be handled carefully while being

the net metering policy in most states. Breweries, distilleries, stone quarries and cement

transported and we take full guarantee for the same.

units are going for solar largely due to their RPO obligations. But the trend of moving towards solar is more in the mid-scale owner driven manufacturing units.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 40

What is the company’s geographical reach? Which states are

What are the new technologies or products that customers of solar

experiencing higher demand for your products?

power projects can expect in 2019-20?

We are a pan-India player. Headquartered in Mumbai, we have offices in Pune, Bangalore,

Mono PERC is the latest and most trending technology currently. The emphasis in the

Hyderabad and Delhi. Our warehouses are in Navi Mumbai, Chennai and Ajmer. This is

coming year would be on increasing efficiencies and watt-class in this technology by

sufficient to cater to the central, western, northern and southern regions. We are now

using half cut platform.

beginning to see demand from the eastern region as well. So we are planning to hire

Bifacial modules are going to be the next big thing in the solar panel space in India.

more people in the eastern regions.

LONGi Solar has already released its bifacial PERC monocrystalline module and we

In order to optimise costs, we are also taking the channel partner route. For instance, we have a channel partner in Rajasthan wherein we provide them a complete container of

are soon going to start supplying these as customers are showing interest in higher efficiency products.

In the inverter space, micro inverters, which are already available in the market, are going

modules and inverters for supply within the state.

We are witnessing high demand in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. We are also beginning to witness activity in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh besides the eastern region.

to be our next offering. While Huawei currently offers string solutions with optimisers for the rooftop customers in India, it is already selling micro inverters in the European markets where they are a big hit. But very soon, we are going to start supplying these in India as soon as the residential rooftop, which will have much smaller-scale projects,

What are the best practices for efficient and safe logistics of

starts gaining traction.

modules and inverters?

Inverters are much easier to transport compared to modules which are extremely fragile. We take guarantee for proper shipment of modules till the customer’s premises.

If broken or damaged during the transfer, we either replace the module or provide

The cost of modules per MW is eight to ten times the inverter cost but we added

refund. Proper packing of modules is crucial to ensure that they do not get damaged,

modules to our portfolio only last year

especially if they are transported to remote locations for which the approach roads are

when we started distributing REC modules.

generally of poor quality.

Therefore, special attention is paid towards packing and we have specifically trained our warehouse team to pack modules in such manner so that they can last the journey

LONGi Solar signed us up in 2019 so this year onwards we are expecting the share

on Indian roads. This type of packing is important not only to avoid breakages but to

of modules in our total revenues to be

avoid micro cracks too. We are also open to ideas from our partners who suggest new

50 per cent.

ways. Further, our team keeps an eye on the most effective and cost efficient processes of packing so that we can make the process fool proof.

EFFICIENT... RELIABLE... LONG LASTING...

SOLAR HYBRID INVERTERS ( Grid-Tie with Energy Storage ) 1KW - 100KW

SOLAR GRIDDTIE INVERTERS 1KW - 5KW ( Single Phase I/P - Single Phase O/P ) 5KW - 80KW ( Three Phase I/P - Three Phase O/P ) IEC 600688221:2007 Part 2-1, 600688222:2007 Part 2-2, CERTIFIED ISO 9001 : 2015

CERTIFIED ISO 50001 : 2011

IEC 6006882214:2009 Part 2-14, 6006882230:2005 Part 2-30,

CERTIFIED ISO 140001 : 2015

CERTIFIED OHSAS 180001 : 2019

IEC 61683:1999, IEC 62116:2014, IEC/EN 6210991:2010, IEC/EN 6210992:2011

CERTIFIED ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED ISO 50001:2011 CERTIFIED OHSAS 180001:2019 CERTIFIED ISO 140001:2015

+ 91-80-22027400

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 41

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Transparent Backsheet A Smart Alternative For Glass / Glass Modules DuPont™ Tedlar® Clear film for transparent backsheet DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions is a leading supplier of specialty materials in solar energy, with products designed to boost the power output and reliable lifetime of solar panels, lowering overall system costs and improving system return on investment.

DuPont represents a portfolio of product solutions in PV with over 40 years of service that delivers proven power and lasting value for the fast-growing photovoltaics sector, including DuPont Solamet® metallization pastes, DuPont™ Tedlar® films as well as now DuPont™ Fortasun™ photovoltaic silicones. Besides these, we also supply advance polymers (Rynite®, Delrin®, and Zytel®) for applications such as junction boxes, tracker bearings, and mounting structures.

With the industry’s new focus on bifacial modules – DuPont has answered with continuous innovation - new Clear DuPont™ Tedlar®, an ideal material for transparent backsheets for bi-facial modules that can generate greater power output.

Recently, bifacial solar modules were exempted from 25% trade tariffs by the United States government. Such products will be exempted from the 25% tariff charge when imported into the US. Some module suppliers will ramp up OEM manufacturing to meet the demand, seeking to increase profit margins.

The transparent backsheet made with Clear Tedlar® film is compatible with most current solar panel manufacturing processes, lowering the process threshold for bifacial module fabrication and requiring little, if any, additional investment in equipment leading to better quality consistency.

Compared to a glass-glass module structure, modules with a breathable transparent backsheet, enabled by Clear DuPont™ Tedlar® film are up to 30% lighter in weight, lowering manufacturing, transportation, and installation costs.

Clear DuPont™ Tedlar® protects against degradation from ultraviolet (UV) light, moisture, and abrasion and enables an optimal balance of barrier properties preventing corrosion.

It provides easy cleaning, and chemical resistance in harsh environments. Clear DuPont™ Tedlar® is designed to transmit the maximum amount of solar energy through the backsheet, enabling the maximum energy returned from a bifacial photovoltaic module for increased LCOE (levelized cost of energy).

Bi-facial module supply will be tight When a manufacturer switches to glass-glass structure, bifacial module production, they face not only increased required capital investment for manufacturing equipment upgrades, but also higher packaging costs. Slower lamination speed also lowers overall production capacity. This has made creating enough supply to meet the current demand a challenge.

In Arizona, U.S., an installation of ten-year-old, glass-glass modules showed significant yellowing, delamination of the rear glass from encapsulant and glass

Transparent backsheets provide a smart alternative Some module suppliers are considering a transparent backsheet. Transparent backsheets

breakage. On the frontside, severe delamination and discoloration was also observed.

fit seamlessly into existing module production lines, result in a higher yield rate and offer

Transparent backsheets quickly become mainstream

a host of other advantages over glass-glass modules:

Currently, the most mature transparent backsheet solution is based on Clear DuPont™

Lighter weight � Lower labor cost, requiring less man power to handle and install � Lower BOS cost that reduces racking/tracking system costs

Higher reliability � No bowing or deformation, unlike frameless G/G modules that tend to bend over time � Breathable design that releases moisture and acetic acid, preventing encapsulant

Tedlar® PVF film. This transparent backsheet has been adopted by Jinko Solar for its bifacial Swan module, a winner of the 2019 Intersolar Innovation Award in Germany. Using the Clear DuPont™ Tedlar® backsheet, it offers a front power output of up to 400W and a backside energy gain of up to 20%. That’s equivalent to glass-glass modules, but the transparent module is much lighter, easier to install and offers a 30-year power warranty.

In order to avoid the rising price of glass backsheets due to increasing demand, customers should consider using modules with transparent backsheets.

degradation while reducing the risk of delamination and corrosion � Less power loss and longer lifetime � Lower PID Risk due to a polymer backsheet containing no mobile sodium ions (the cause of shunting PID)

Lower installation and O&M costs � G/B with frame is less prone to glass breakage during transportation and installation � Faster installation with less required man power

Glass-glass module field failures lead to long-term reliability concerns

With the industry’s new focus on bifacial modules – DuPont has answered with continuous innovation - new Clear DuPont™ Tedlar®, an ideal material for transparent backsheets for bi-facial modules that can generate greater power output.

� Glass-glass field failure is not uncommon. In the western and southern parts of China, bending deformation in frameless, glass-glass modules was found, causing the cells to crack and the glass to break.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 42

Product Feature

(with Dynapower Technology)

Compact BESS with Wall-Mounted PCS The MPS®-i-125 EHV is a fully integrated behind-the-meter energy storage system that combines Raychem RPG’s efficient UL 1741 SA MPS®-125 EHV inverter with Li-Ion batteries in a temperature controlled battery NEMA-rated enclosure. BESS design is one of the most compact, easy-to-transport, wall-mounted bi-directional inverter, an ideal solution for island project requirement.

The highly compact integrated system is easily deployed on a concrete pad, crushed stone or on the ground with a forklift and minimal labor, reducing system installation costs for integrators and system owners. The system features Dynapower’s propreitary Dynamic Transfer™ which in the event of grid disturbance seamlessly switches a facility from grid-tied to battery backup power. Multiple MPS®-i-125 EHV systems can be paralleled together to meet the sizing needs of any behind-the-meter installation.

FEATURES: � AC Overcurrent Protection � DC Disconnect � Integrated DC Input Fuses � Redundant HVAC cooling systems � Fire Suppression System

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS

� All AC and DC Switchgear

Operating Temp

� DC Pre-Charge

Cooling Forced Air Cooled

� Black Start (Optional)

Rated Max Elevation

1,000 Meters Full Power;

Up to 3,000 Meters With Derating

Enclosure

UL 3R / IP 54 (Outdoor)

� Dynamic TransferTM

DYNAMIC TRANSFER TO OFF GRID MODE The patented Dynamic Transfer™ algorithm monitors grid stability, and upon detecting a

-25 to 50°C, De-rated from 45 to 50°C

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

grid disturbance, disconnects from the grid. The equipment seamlessly transitions critical

Faults

AC Over Voltage, AC Under Voltage,

loads to stand-alone mode on the load connection and supports 100% phase imbalance

AC Under Frequency, AC Over Frequency,

in UF mode.

AC Overload, Over-temperature, DC Over

E COMP: AUTONOMOUS VOLT/VAR SUPPORT F COMP: AUTONOMOUS Hz/

Voltage, DC Over Current

WATT SUPPORT

Standards Compliance

IEEE 1547, UL 1741 SA Listing

A Volt Var function that provides immediate and automatic voltage support to the grid.

Safety Features

Anti-islanding with UL Compliant

BLACK START

Hardware Over Current Protection, Surge Protection

In the event of a complete system power outage, The patented Black Start restores power to the facility without the need for external power. Black Start technology can start distribution networks even with transformer magnetizing currents that exceed the power rating of the inverters. Multiple MPS®-i-125 EHV units can be restarted at once.

F COMP: AUTONOMOUS Hz/WATT SUPPORT A Hz-Watt function that provides immediate and automatic frequency support to the grid.

MPS®-i125 EHV ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS Energy Rating

2, 4, and 6 Hour

Power Rating

BTM 125: 125kW @ 480v 150kW @ 600v

Certifications

BTM 250: 250kW @ 480v 300kW @ 600v

UL 1973 (Tray), UL 1642

GRID CONNECTION AC Line Voltage

480-600 VAC 3 Phase

AC Line Nominal Frequency

60 Hz

Continuous AC Current

150 A RMS per MPS Inverter

Overload AC Current

180 A RMS

Continuous AC Power

125 kW (@480) 150 kW (@600)

Power Factor

0 - 1.0 Leading or Lagging

Current Harmonics

IEEE 1547 Compliant, <5% TDD

Roundtrip Efficiency

93%

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EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST Raychem RPG (with Dynapower Technology) is a leader in the design and manufacture of four-quadrant bi-directional energy storage inverters. The MPS®, CPS ® and MPS®-i product lines are IEEE and UL 1741 SA certified; offer sub-cycle response with zero voltage ride-through; feature a Dynamic Transfer™ function that can be operated in both grid-tied or stand-alone (grid forming) modes. Raychem RPG inverters and integrated energy storage systems are deployed globally, enabling increased penetration of renewable generation resources on the grid, peak shaving and valuable grid resiliency.

Solar Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 43

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

LeTID Testing to Mitigate Investment Risk

The PERC technology (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) typically boosts the module

Figure 1: Electro luminescence images (EL) of a multicrystalline PERC module in the

power by about 10%. This boost however is threatened by a PERC-related degradation

field with cumulated irradiation data in kWh and power loss in % under accelerating

mechanisms, which might eat up this gain in the field completely:

conditions, i.e. open circuit and thermal insulation of the module backside.

In addition to the known Light Induced Degradation (LID) effect, the Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (LeTID) was reported for modules based on p-type crystalline silicon PERC cells, independent of its Boron-Oxygen content, in 2012 by Ramspeck [1].

Difference between LID and LeTID on mono and multi silicon Unlike LID, LeTID shows: 1. A longer degradation interval in the field, i.e. years instead of days 2. A larger degradation depth, i.e. up to -10% instead of -1% (multi) and -3% (mono) 3. A recovery to the initial power in the field, but unfortunately again over an interval of

Source: Kersten 2015 [2]

several years depending on the local temperatures and irradiations. Figure 1 shows results from field testing by Kersten in 2015 and further results on degradation and recovery intervals in the field by Kersten in 2017 [2].

The mechanism behind LeTID is still not fully understood. The existing theoretical models predict higher degradation depths for multicrystalline than for monocrystalline PERC modules. Despite this, PI Berlin has found similar high degradation depth and durations on monocrystalline PERC modules in laboratory tests as well, as shown in Figure 2.

Further, comparison of LeTID Test results on two multicrystalline modules and 8 monocrystalline modules are shown in Figure 3.

LeTID test results on ten different modules, two multicrystalline modules and 8 monocrystalline modules. The degrees of degradation range from zero to minus four percent. Source: PI Berlin

How to supress LeTID Some manufacturers have enforced counter-measures to suppress LeTID by either changing their cell process or applying a super-fast degradation and recovery procedure at the end of their cell line using high irradiance and temperatures or even both, e.g. Jinko’s Andrea Viaro presentation under https://www.pv-magazine.com/webinars/secure-yourinvestment-discover-urgently-required-game-changing-solutions-in-managing-letid/

ABOUT MITSUI CHEMICALS AND PI BERLIN PI Berlin and Mitsui Chemicals are partnering to set up a new accredited laboratory for module testing and certification in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, owned by Mitsui Chemicals.

PI Berlin has operational businesses in USA, Germany, and China for quality assurance and risk management advisory services.

Mitsui Chemicals is a global player for polymeric materials and is offering photovoltaic advisory and testing services in Japan and India.

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The current certification procedures does not cover LeTID checks for the module qualification after IEC 61215:2016. The new draft version or this standard intends to include LeTID tests but the procedure is still under discussion. Mitsui Chemicals is involved in this process with an expert from Japan’s National Committee of IEC TC82/WG2.

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 44

To prevent commercial damage for the investor’s side, it is recommended to test LeTID sensitivity on samples from the actual shipment lots, see also [3]. PI Berlin and Mitsui recommend and offer laboratory tests to check the LeTID sensitivity on a project by project basis to protect investor risk. At this point in time, LeTID is still not yet fully understood nor is it sufficiently controlled by the photovoltaic community. basis to protect investor risk. At this point in time, LeTID is still not yet fully understood nor is it sufficiently controlled by the photovoltaic community.

[1] K. Ramspeck, et al., “Light induced degradation of rear passivated mc-Si solar cells”, 27th EUPVSEC 2012, pp. 861–865 [2] F. Kersten et al., 31st EUPVSEC (2015), S.1822 and 33rd EUPVSEC (2017), S.1418 [3] https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/06/15/the-weekend-read-is-perc-still-bankable/

How to protect your project against LeTID The current certification procedures does not cover LeTID checks for the module qualification after IEC 61215:2016. The new draft version or this standard intends to include LeTID tests but the procedure is still under discussion. Mitsui Chemicals is involved in this process with an expert from Japan’s National Committee of IEC TC82/WG2.

To prevent commercial damage for the investor’s side, it is recommended to test LeTID sensitivity on samples from the actual shipment lots, see also [3]. PI Berlin and Mitsui recommend and offer laboratory tests to check the LeTID sensitivity on a project by project

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DR. TSUYOSHI SHIODA

DR. PAUL GRUNOW

Researcher

Director

(Mitsui Chemicals Inc.)

(Photovoltaik Institut Berlin AG)

Solar Quarter • August 2019 45

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Solar Quarter • May 2019 48 36 Solar Quarter • August w w w . s o l a r q u

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Solar Quarter â&#x20AC;¢ May 2019 37

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Global - Investment Flows

Global investment in renewable power and fuels (not including hydropower projects larger than

decline were the slowdown in solar power investment in China and falling capital

50 megawatts (MW)) totalled USD 288.9 billion in 2018, as estimated by BloombergNEF (BNEF)

costs for solar PV projects in most markets, which meant that fewer dollars were

i . This was 11% less than the USD 326.3 billion invested in 2017. However, 2018 was the ninth

needed to finance a given amount of capacity.

successive year in which investment in renewables exceeded USD 230 billion, and the fifth in

Investment in wind power edged up 2% to USD 134.1 billion, its highest level ever.

which it topped USD 280 billion. In addition, an estimated USD 16 billion was invested in large hydropower projects in 2018, down from USD 40 billion in 2017.

This was due largely to the financing of large onshore wind power projects in China, the United States, South Africa, India and Sweden, as well as to a number of offshore

The overall investment in renewable power capacity (including all hydropower) in 2018 once

project deals in Europe. Overall, investment in onshore wind power was up 2% for

again far exceeded that in fossil fuel and nuclear power capacity. The total dollar amount

the year, to USD 109.8 billion (a record high), and investment in offshore wind power

invested in renewable power was almost exactly three times higher than the amount invested

was up 7%, to USD 24.6 billion (the second-highest level on record).Developed

in new coal- and gas-fired generators combined. Investment in renewables continued to focus

economies led in both solar and wind power investment in 2018, followed by China.

on solar power, which secured USD 139.7 billion in 2018. This was down 22% from 2017, due

Other developing and emerging economies invested significantly more in solar

largely to lower unit costs for solar power and to changes in China’s photovoltaic (PV) marketi .

power than in wind power during the year.

Although wind power investment continued to lag behind solar power, it increased 2% in 2018,

Although investment in biomass and waste-to-energy was comparatively small, it

to USD 134.1 billion. The other sectors were further behind, although investment in biomass and waste-to energy increased 54%, to USD 8.7 billion.

Investment By Economy

was up 54% in 2018, to USD 8.7 billion. Several sizeable biomass projects in Japan received financing, and investments in large waste-to-energy plants were approved in Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Renewable energy investment in developed countries increased 11% in 2018, to USD 136.1

Investment By Type

billion . Excluding China, which saw steep declines, investment in the developing world increased

Asset finance accounts for the vast majority of total investment in renewable energy

6% to USD 61.6 billion, a record high. This reflects a broadening of investment activity in wind and solar to more countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

– including the financing of utility-scale wind farms, solar parks, biomass and wasteto-energy plants, biofuel production facilities, small hydropower dams, geothermal

Trends varied by region, with investment rising in Europe, in the Middle East and Africa, in Asia

plants and ocean power stations. Asset finance totalled USD 236.5 billion in 2018,

(except China and India) and in the United States, and falling in the Americas (excluding the United

down 12% from 2017 and its lowest level since 2014. New asset finance deals were

States but including Brazil) as well as in China and India. Considering all financing of renewable

led, in dollar terms, by a USD 3.3 billion (950 MW) offshore wind farm in the United

energy (but excluding hydropower larger than 50 MW), China accounted for 32% of the global

Kingdom and a USD 2.4 billion (800 MW) plant in Morocco that combines solar PV

total, down from 45% in 2017, followed by Europe (21% in 2018), the United States (17%) and

and concentrating solar thermal power.

Asia-Oceania (excluding China and India; 15%). Smaller shares were seen in India (5%), the Middle

Small-scale distributed capacity investment, or investment predominantly in solar

East and Africa (5%), the Americas (excluding Brazil and the United States; 3%) and Brazil (1%).

PV systems smaller than 1 MW, totalled USD 36.3 billion in 2018, down 15% from

Investment in India fell 16% to USD 15.4 billion, although this was the country’s second-highest

2017. In the United States – the biggest market for small-scale solar – investment was

annual total to date. The investment decline reflected uncertainty in import tariffs and exchange

down 15% to USD 8.9 billion. Germany, Australia, India, Japan and the Netherlands

rates. Investment in wind power equalled its 2016 record, at USD 7.2 billion, but investment in

(in descending order) remained significant markets at over USD 1 billion each.

solar power declined 27% to USD 8.2 billion.

Public market investment in new equity issued by specialist renewable energy

Investment By Technology

companies was up 6%, to USD 6 billion, but remained well below the double-digit billion reached in 2007 and 2014. The biomass and waste company China Everbright

Solar PV and wind power continued to dominate new investment in renewable energy in 2018.

International raised the most equity in 2018, at USD 1.3 billion.

(p See Figure 49.) Whereas in 2017, investment in solar PV was much higher than that in wind

Venture capital and private equity investment (VC/PE) in renewable energy reached

power, the gap narrowed sharply in 2018, with solar PV accounting for 48% of investment and

USD 2 billion in 2018, up 32% but far below the record USD 9.9 billion a decade

wind power for 46%. This was mainly due to a 22% decline in dollar commitments to solar

earlier. The US biofuels company World Energy led the list of VC/PE deals, with a USD

power, to USD 139.7 billion, the lowest level since 2013. The main factors contributing to the

345 million expansion capital round.

RENEWABLES 2019 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 50

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

‘Elmex’ Has Installed More Than 3 Million Connectors At 200+ Sites Across India Incremental Innovation & Unfaltering Customer Service are our Core Competencies.

Multi-forming Machine, Pitch-Control Auto-Tapping and Internal Thread Rolling Machine etc.

Founded in 1963, ‘elmex’ is one of India’s leading manufacturers of Terminal Blocks and a pioneer in the Electrical Wire Termination Technology. Founder-Chairman J D Ray’s vision to develop indigenous technology led to the conception of India’s first manufacturing facility for Din Rail Mounted Terminal Blocks. Since then, ‘elmex’ has been continuously reinventing technology, bringing innovations to the industry and developing breakthrough products and solutions.

Quality Assurance

Vision Statement “To be a trusted brand in low voltage segment by providing solutions for control, protection and switchgear applications.”

Mission Statement “To leverage the trusted brand for enhancing customer satisfaction through product, process and people.”

Solutions for Solar Photovoltaic The enormous growth in the Indian solar industry is helping open the way to a cleaner and more sustainable energy resource. Catering to the growing need of renewable energy resources ‘elmex’ has extended its domain knowledge in Termination Technology to develop product range suitable for Photovoltaic applications with indigenous design & development. ‘elmex’ has developed a comprehensive range of quality products and reliable solutions for the Solar PV Industry such as PV Junction Boxes (2-Rail, 3-Rail & 4-Rail), Straight Connectors, Panel Connectors, Branch Connectors, Over Moulded Wire Harnesses, Inline fuse Connectors, Branch Inline Fuse Connectors, DC Fuse Terminal Blocks (for Combiner Box/DC Distribution Box) which are used for termination to transfer DC energy from PV module to final output. ‘elmex’ PV product range conforms to international standards namely EN 50521/ IEC 62852 for Connectors & EN 50548/ IEC 62790 for Junction Boxes & IEC 60269 for Fuse Terminals.

Manufacturing Excellence ‘elmex’ understands that to produce new-age products, new-age equipments and technology are needed and so over the years, ‘elmex’ has been continuously updating its infrastructure.

Today, it is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery for tooling and manufacturing such as CNC Wire Cut Machines, CNC EDM Drill, Micro Processor based Automatic Injection Moulding Machines, Ultrasonic Welding and Wave-Soldering Machines, Computerized

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Apart from being a market leader in electrical wire termination technology, ‘elmex’ is trusted globally for its effective solutions and innovations across industries. elmex’s manufacturing plants are ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified. Operations are supported by fully computerized design and development of products with an in-house testing laboratory for conducting the tests as per international specifications with a certified Quality Management System.

Our extensive product line caters to below mentioned Solar PV Applications

Solutions for EPC / Rooftop / Project Developers PV Straight Connectors (1500V / 1000V) PV Branch Connectors (1500V / 1000V) PV Straight Inline Fuse Connectors (1500V / 1000V) PV Branch Inline Fuse Connectors (1500V / 1000V) Over Moulded Wire Harnesses (1500V / 1000V)

Solutions for System Integrators / Inverters PV Panel Connectors (1500V / 1000V) PV Fuse Terminal Blocks (1500V / 1000V) Terminal Blocks

Solutions for PV Panels / Module Manufactures PV Solar-2 Rail Junction Box PV Solar-3 Rail Junction Box PV Solar-4 Rail Junction Box ‘elmex’ has installed more than 3 million connectors at 200+ sites across India. With more than 150 distributors nationwide & field engineers present in all major cities across India, ‘elmex’ provides a 24 x 7 support to its wide customer base.

For more details about our products please visit our website: www.elmex.net or write to us at solar@elmex.net

Solar Quarter • August 2019 51

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Surge Protection For Photovoltaic Inverter Construction of large photovoltaic ground-mounted systems in the high megawatt range is an investment in the future. The aim is to keep the amortization time as short as possible.

This requires a system which guarantees unlimited availability with high performance.

In a PV System inverters plays a crucial role and need to be protected against surge voltages on the input side and on the output side. Due to power electronics in inverters, regular Surge Protection Device are not compatible. Special design needed to solve this problem.

Photovoltaic Inverters use power electronic to generate a sinusoidal output voltage from an input-side DC Voltage. The power electronics are switched on and off in a specifically timed sequence to produce a sinusoidal voltage curve.

Impact of Surge Protection Device For SPD to be suitable to run in PV inverter, it must be able to withstand the repetitive voltage peaks. In the event of coupled voltage SPD should be able to limit the voltage lower than the withstand voltage of the inverter. Phoenix Contact Surge Protection Device are designed to operate above a certain voltage. The dynamic sparkover voltages are selected such that the SPDs have an insulating effect when the typical voltage peaks occur at a given nominal voltage. In this manner Surge Protection Device do not heat up and don’t age prematurely. The SPD will discharge surge and limit the voltage to a level that does not pose a threat to the system.

Surge Protection Solution A PV voltage of 1000 V DC and an output voltage of 230/400 V results in a peak value (LPE) of up to >1,300 V for systems with a grounded DC line and >800 V for systems without.

Phoenix Contact SPD has been designed to operate with this dynamic sparkover voltage without any problem.

For PV systems having voltage 1500V DC and output voltages of 400/690 V, the peak values (L-PE) also rise >2100V for systems with a grounded DC line and >1300 V for systems without. Phoenix Contact SPDs has dynamic spark over voltage of at least 2.2 kV, is suitable for such application.

In these applications, the SPD has an insulating effect and is not influenced by the voltage peaks, which prevents premature aging.

For further details Please contact Phoenix Contact India Pvt. Ltd. F-26/2, Okhla Industrial Area Phase -2, New Delhi – 110020 E-mail- adverts@phoenixcontact.co.in

Surge Protection for Photovoltaic Inverter Photovoltaics make a major contribution toward meeting the continually rising energy requirements. Phoenix Contact provide you complete range of Lightning and Surge Protection for PV System. To ensure the smooth operation of Photovoltaic system, we can provide you protection in each level.

Our product complies all International Standards.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 52

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Energy Systems Integration And Enabling Technologies

Ongoing deployment of renewable energy is driving a transformation of energy systems

effects of localised variability of solar insolation and wind availability, reducing curtailment

around the world. Spurred in part by rapid declines in the generation costs of solar

and operational system costs.12 In 2018, Uruguay planned to manage high levels of wind

photovoltaic (PV) and wind power, many countries have seen significant growth in

penetration by increasing regional power trading with Argentina and Brazil.13 Meanwhile,

installed capacity and generation from variable sources of renewable energy. In 2018, at

in the United States, several utilities joined or planned to join the Electricity Imbalance

least nine countries supplied more than 20% of their electricity generation from variable

Market, which links power systems across eight western US states with the dual objectives

renewable energy .This transformation continues to be limited primarily to the electricity

of minimising system costs and optimising the use of clean energy sources.

sector, however, as growth in the use of modern renewables in the heating, cooling and

The design of appropriate power market rules is an important lever for increased

transport sectors remained minimal in 2018.

participation of VRE in electricity markets and trading. In China, a national carbon

Renewable energy can facilitate more efficient, sustainable and economical operation of

emissions trading scheme for power markets, announced in late 2017, is expected to

suitably designed energy systems.However, varied technical, physical, organisational and

allow renewables to be more competitive in merit-order wholesale electricity markets

legal barriers may slow or halt the growth of renewable energy. As shares of renewables

being developed under the country’s 13th FiveYear Plan (2016-2020).15 In the European

grow in energy systems, additional challenges may emerge that require systems-focused

Union, new electricity rules provisionally approved in late 2018 aim to increase VRE shares

approaches and strategies. Energy systems integration, as defined here, is the significant

through greater integration of regional electricity markets as well as increased competition

elimination of the impediments to higher penetration of renewable energy (in particular

and consumer participation.

VRE) in energy systems – including in power grids, heating and cooling systems, and

Tools for wind and solar forecasting continued to advance in 2018, driven in large part by

transport fuelling systems .

rising shares of VRE generation in power systems. In the United States, the independent

This integration is advanced through:

system operator in Texas introduced intra-hour wind forecasting in five minute intervals

� Appropriate design of the operations, regulations and markets that govern energy

to more accurately manage wind gusts and lulls, better manage reserves and increase

systems � Infrastructural improvements or enhancements that aid access to renewables or facilitate their uptake � Increased flexibility in energy demand and supply to accommodate VRE. Energy systems integration is also advanced through technologies that promote the linking of energy supply and demand across electricity, thermal and transport applications.

These so-called enabling technologies – such as energy storage, heat pumps and electric vehicles (EVs) – can expand or unlock markets for renewables by allowing renewable energy to supplement or replace fossil fuels, for example through the electrification of heating end-uses that traditionally are served by non-renewable resources.7 Some of these technologies are already commercially mature and widely deployed, while others are still emerging but experienced rapid growth in 2018.

Advances in the Integration of Variable Renewable Energy In numerous countries around the world, the power sector has experienced significant transformation, driven primarily by the rapid increase in penetration of variable wind and solar generation. This growth is due in part to quickly declining costs for solar PV and wind power, which have made these renewable energy sources the most economical options for new power-generating capacity in an increasing number of markets. Variable renewables already have seen high levels of penetration in power systems around the world, with an average compound annual growth rates of more than 10% between 2014 and 2018 in countries such as Uruguay, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Honduras.

Improving overall power system flexibility is central to advancing the integration of VRE. Conventional sources of flexibility exist in all power systems, and most can accommodate moderate shares of VRE in their generation mix before reaching significant physical or capacity-related barriers and experiencing operational challenges such as grid imbalances and excessive or uneconomic curtailment of generation. Integration of higher shares of VRE may require strategic power market design, planning and linkages; the evaluation, improvement and enhancement of power systems and grid infrastructure; accurate resource forecasting; and improved flexibility in both generation and demand.

The physical or operational linkage of electricity systems allows surplus generation in a given market or region to be used in another market that has a generation deficit. It also can help aggregate VRE generation across larger geographical regions to mitigate the

reliability. Similarly, in Australia, pilot project funding was announced for solar and wind forecasting with intervals of five minutes.

The deployment of digital technologies also can help reduce curtailment of VRE, by improving the operational efficiency and flexibility of generation assets. Significant advances are being made in optimising fleets of renewable generation assets to reduce lifetime costs, improve flexibility and better forecast operational requirements. For example, the multinational technology firm GE is creating virtual versions of its wind turbines to allow for virtual testing, forecasting of operational conditions and better turbine management.

The expansion and interconnection of grid infrastructure allows for the aggregation of VRE resources over larger geographical areas and for the connection of remote sources of renewable generation with major electrical load centres; this increases system flexibility and improves the overall cost-effectiveness of the system. Grid infrastructure upgrades to support VRE growth were under way or planned in several countries in 2018. For example, the South African utility Eskom obtained a USD 100 million loan facility for transmission upgrades to connect 27 new renewable energy projects (including 24 solar PV and wind projects) to the country’s grid.24 In Australia, plans were announced to accelerate the development of AUD 2.6 billion (USD 1.8 billion) in required transmission upgrades to accommodate planned wind and solar projects.25 In Jordan, the public utility secured funding to improve grid capacity and connect solar regions with demand centres in the capital city Amman.

The modernisation of grid infrastructure has been one element of China’s multifaceted push to reduce curtailment of solar PV and wind generation. Average VRE curtailment in the country for generation from solar PV and wind power reached 3% and 7%, respectively, in 2018, down from 17% and 12% in early 2017. Other initiatives in China included the introduction of wholesale electricity markets and demand response, the implementation of pumped (hydropower) storage and the roll-out of EVs. As VRE shares in power systems increase, flexibility of both demand and generation becomes central to ensuring reliable grid operations. A range of demand response technologies, incentives and penalties are being applied to shape grid loads to more closely match generation profiles, particularly in Europe and the United States. In mature demand response markets, specialised service providers are emerging that manage consumer participation in such programmes, enabling participants to profit from incentives and/or minimise the effects of penalties. In 2018 and early 2019, large utilities in Canada, Ireland, Poland and the United States were procuring demand response capacity from these service providers.

RENEWABLES 2019 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 53

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Need For SARAL Rooftop solar market in India is witnessing substantial interest from entrepreneurs,

process of applying to set up roof-top solar energy systems in the on-grid method.

developers, financial institutions, development banks, end users as well as government

� Maharashtra has put aside INR2,682 crore for installing rooftop solar systems on

entities. Various states have different rooftop solar policies, incentives, metering regulations and rooftop availability. At the same time, their electricity tariffs, consumer mix and the

government buildings (with 100% subsidy). The state also offers 15% subsidy to people below the poverty SARAL – State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index 39 line for

robustness of distribution infrastructure also varies.

installing rooftop solar systems(). Applicants can apply for the net metering program in

Cumulative rooftop solar installation as of March 2019 is 4.37 GW. This has to grow ten-fold

Maharashtra by filling a simple online form.

so as to achieve the target of 40 GW. For this, states must gear up and put in place a robust

� The Haryana Government plans to make it mandatory for all public buildings, like

implementation environment including introduction of clear and detailed regulations,

schools, health centers and offices to have rooftop solar panels as part of their state-

strong monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, new institutional structures, promote

wide initiative.

innovative discom-centric business models. Also, states should adopt the activities that will spread awareness among consumers and other stakeholders across the value chain.

Some states in India have progressed quite well. For example, over the last one year, Maharashtra has added more than 450 MW of rooftop solar capacity. Delhi has introduced the most detailed net metering regulations. Karnataka has launched a comprehensive eportal that acts as a single window clearance for all applications. However, there are many other states which need to accelerate the deployment of rooftop solar to collectively reach 40 GW by 2022.

Therefore, a standardised tool that can assess and evaluate various states for their preparedness to support rooftop solar deployment will be highly critical. State Rooftop

What is holding the sector back? � In many states, projects face delay in approvals and other regulatory processes. � In many states, there is slow progress in deployment of solar rooftop due to inadequate policy frameworks, passive opposition from DISCOMs and insufficient capacity at the local utility level � Many state regulations impose a cap on size of rooftop solar PV due to limitations like transformers’ capacity, sanctioned load and consumer inertia.

Solar Attractiveness Index – SARAL – has been developed as a tool which ranks all states

Investment climate for rooftop solar sector

based on an identified set of parameters that are critical to accelerating rooftop solar

This measures how well a state is positioned to attract investments in this sector.

deployment.

SARAL can highlight best practices, weaknesses and strengths, and act as a knowledge sharing platform among states and help investors identify states attractive for investments in rooftop solar space.

Robustness of policy framework It measures how clear, detailed and supportive is the existing policy and regulatory framework.

Successful initiatives � Bihar’s new policy aims for energy sufficiency by adding 3,433 MW of power from renewable energy sources into its generation capacity by 2022 with a dedicated rooftop solar target of 1,000 MW having both net metering and gross metering mechanisms.

Notable provisions in the policy include conversion of roof spaces of all the state government buildings in the state as “roof bank” for solar rooftop projects that highlights focus on creating strong policies that will channelize rooftop solar deployment

Successful initiatives � Punjab exhibits a positive investment climate towards rooftop solar. In May 2018, the state opened the world’s largest single rooftop facility with the capacity to produce 11.5 MW electricity. A power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed between the Beas and the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for 25 years. The project is expected to generate 27 million units of electricity per annum which may be enough to cater to the electricity needs of about 8,000 households in Punjab. � The Uttarakhand Government is promoting the use of small-scale rooftop under grid Interacted rooftop scheme in Uttarakhand where applicants are provided with a 30% subsidy under National Solar Mission of MNRE. � In 2018, on behalf of the Energy Department of the Government of Bihar,Bihar Renewable energy Development Agency (BREDA) invited bids for 40 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop for various locations across Bihar.

What is holding the sector back?

� In January 2018, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) introduced the state

� Funding of initiatives like National Solar Mission is a constraint given India’s inadequate

solar policy for Goa that has set a clear framework for ground mounted solar as well

financing capabilities. The finance ministry has explicitly raised concerns about funding

as solar rooftop. It has introduced both the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model and the

an ambitious scheme like National Solar Mission (NSM).

renewable energy supply company (RESCO) model for ownership and encourages the consumers to opt for solar rooftop by installing a solar rooftop over all government buildings. � In January 2018, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) passed an amended to its 2016 regulations on net metering and their connectivity with respect to solar PV projects. The OERC has raised the cumulative solar energy capacity at distribution transformer level to 75% from the transformer capacity of 30%. There is no cap on the capacity of solar installation at the consumer level if it is within the limit of the connected load.

� Since rooftop solar market has not picked up and there is only a meagre 10%-12% share of the overall solar capacity, banks/financiers have perceptions of high risks and suspicion about their future performances which makes them unwilling to lend money for solar rooftop projects. � Financial institutions lack technical expertise to carry out due diligence for solar roof top.

Consumer experience It measures the perception, acceptance and experience of the consumers of this sector.

What is holding the sector back?

Successful initiatives

� Many state-level policies and regulations have gaps such as lack of guidelines for

� Andhra Pradesh’s dedicated rooftop solar portal, Unified Solar Rooftop Transaction

interconnection with the grid, meter technology to be used and set timelines for

Portal (USRTP) serves as an integrated platform for multiple solar rooftop stakeholders

benefits or subsidies, etc.

in the state. 40 SARAL – State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index The USRTP displays

� In a few states, there are several sites that are spaceous and can install a plant with capacity as high as 20 MW. However, the government policies only allow only 1 MW-2 MW of maximum installed capacity for grid-connected rooftop plants. � There is a lack of single window facility for project clearances in several states.

Effectiveness of policy support/implementation It measures how effectively and efficiently the laid down policies and regulations have been adopted in practice.

Successful initiatives � Telangana New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TSREDCO) has signed an MoU with Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) for establishing 5 MW of solar PV energy capacity. Several urban local bodies are in the

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comprehensive information pertaining to installation of solar rooftop PV system in the state and enables interactions between multiple stakeholders. Through this platform, it is possible for consumers to submit interconnection applications and also apply for subsidies to appropriate DISCOM and New&Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd. (NREDCAP), respectively. USRTP enables tracking the progress of both the submitted applications. � The Government of Goa has installed a solar rooftop plant over Raj Bhavan and have identified 13 offices of Goa Power Department that will host solar rooftop in a bid to increase awareness among people. � In July 2018, Directorate of New and Renewable Energy (DNRE) invited bids for empanelment of firms for supply, erection, testing and commissioning including warranty, operation and maintenance for five years of grid interactive rooftop solar power plants having capacities up to 1000 kWp in Nagaland.

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 54

What is holding the sector back?

Successful initiatives

� A major challenge being faced by almost all states is the ownership structure of

� In 2018, a two-day workshop on’Outreach of solar rooftop’ was conducted in Assam in

residential complexes. Large cities with high income households have limited rooftop

order to create a positive business ecosystem in the state. The workshop was organized

solar space for installation and with multi-family apartment complexes and rented

on how to run an integrated campaign to drive demand for solar rooftop at the state

houses, the ownership rights become a major hindranceof rooftop solar.

level.

� The lack of a common e-platform to keep customers updated about the information on the incentives, documentation and process of implementation of solar rooftop projects

� The Ministry of Power in Kerala directed Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEBL) to provide / rooftop solar training to its field-level employees.

impacts customer awareness, especially in residential areas. � Volatilities in solar equipment’s prices (especially modules) and ambiguities related to policy measures result in fluctuations in systems’ costs, which inturn compel customers to wait and watch for further reduction in prices.

What is holding the sector back? � Complexity of institutional framework due to involvement of too many agencies like MNRE, IREDA, SNA, electricity board and electricity regulatory commission make the development of solar PV projects difficult.

Business ecosystem

� Difficult environment for businesses due to lack of close industry-government

It measures how supportive is the law and order, market demand and infrastructure for

cooperation in several states hinder the rooftop solar market to achieve success.

any business in the state.

TABLE: SARAL STATE SCORES IN FIVE BROAD DRIVERS Ranking

State

SARAL Score

Robustness of policy framework

Effectiveness of policy support / implementation

Investment climate

1

Karnataka

78.76

99.54

76.77

2

Telangana

72.21

61.48

3

Gujarat

67.87

4

5

6

Andhra Pradesh

Rajasthan

Madhya Pradesh

Consumer experience

Business ecosystem

80.79

67.02

70.50

68.08

81.79

80.59

66.63

31.25

81.11

83.28

75.25

61.06

66.10

79.17

66.84

72.08

54.50

58.95

62.25

66.67

64.29

80.76

51.53

46.03

58.27

12.50

63.10

77.98

78.00

52.10

7

Delhi

54.61

31.25

68.61

60.52

56.86

48.76

8

Punjab

53.42

45.83

48.08

78.51

55.75

35.25

9

Maharashtra

52.01

31.25

50.57

74.93

52.07

58.09

10

Tamil Nadu

50.87

40.97

46.82

65.98

51.72

53.43

11

Chandigarh

48.33

4.17

53.40

56.37

71.68

48.09

12

Haryana

43.35

14.58

50.55

72.28

30.34

66.01

13

Kerala

42.92

27.08

46.81

42.87

50.49

44.35

14

Odisha

39.44

25.00

46.23

40.99

45.94

31.15

15

Jharkhand

37.68

40.28

38.72

38.24

27.26

55.27

16

Chhattisgarh

36.52

10.42

39.35

44.24

43.07

50.17

17

Goa

31.83

45.83

31.22

20.18

23.85

45.38

18

Uttarakhand

31.58

30.56

33.50

52.92

14.00

38.54

19

Assam

29.00

62.50

13.04

11.80

25.90

40.61

26.54

40.28

26.83

23.18

12.79

39.51

20

Uttar Pradesh

SARAL STATE ROOFTOP SOLAR ATTRACTIVENESS INDEX (FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2018-19)

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Solar Solar Quarter Quarter ••August August 2019 2019 55

Perspective

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO EMERGE As Leaders In The Rooftop Solar Industry?

Dr. Anuvrat Joshi, Head-Business Development, Cleantech Solar Cleantech Solar’s leadership in the rooftop solar industry stands

We believe it is these strengths and the trust and support of our customers that have

on three fundamental pillars:

made us the #1 rooftop developer three times in a row since 2017 in the Bridge to

1. Customers’ complete trust in our execution capabilities and

India rooftop leadership board.

quality of our systems;

A rooftop solar project is really a multi-decade relationship between parties: top

2. Deep access to capital;

corporates respect high quality and high integrity RESCO partners who have the technical

3. The size and customer profile of our operating portfolio.

capability, financial strength and commitment to the relationship to deliver not only a

In addition to these core strengths, the ability to deliver rooftop solar projects across

high-performance project but a commitment towards proactive service and problem

eight countries as well as off-site open access solar power within India have also played

solving that can stand the test of twenty years or longer. Offering our leadership to the

a key role in our success.

sector by building such relationships is an organic part of the Cleantech Solar DNA and it plays to our strengths.

Mr. Amit Barve, Head- Business Development, Enerparc Energy Pvt Ltd Today India is one of the fastest growing solar markets worldwide

DISCOMs who have already adopted to UDAY scheme should rationalize tariffs which

and has surpassed 30GW installation in the last few years also

can motivate residential customers for adopting solar for captive consumption using

poised to remain leader in the sector in coming years. However

net metering support. Third important point that can make a huge difference would be

against targeted installation of 40GW in rooftop solar by 2022,

making funding available for residential as well as Industrial customers which can quickly

we have been able to reach only 10% installation target. There

increase offtake.

are few structural problems for scaling up of rooftop solar market which needs to be addressed to get the sector on high growth path. Rooftop solar market mainly comprises of installations in Commercial and Industrial segment (C&I) and Residential segment.

C&I segment is growing fast, however recently pace has been stifled due to uncertain regulatory environment. Policies especially related to net metering which are very essential, are varying a lot from state to state and few states have been changing rules and regulations frequently which are unfriendly to industry. Secondly residential segment has highest potential however has not picked up due to financial unviability on account of skewed tariff regime with cross subsidization of domestic consumers at the cost of C&I consumers.

To make this sector get back on track and achieve rapid deployment, we need state governments to harmonize policies related to net metering and keep them consistent across all states as well as do not tinker them time and again. Friendliness and consistency

DISCOMs who have already adopted to UDAY scheme should rationalize tariffs which can motivate residential customers for adopting solar for captive consumption using net metering support.

in policies would attract investment in this segment which is need of time. Also state

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 56

Perspective Mr. Prateek Agrawal, Co-Founder & Director, Solar91 Cleantech Pvt Ltd To emerge as a leader in the solar industry one should go with

regulations for the settlement of the power generated from solar power plants so that

good quality of projects otherwise you will not be able to fulfill

customers can get the actual benefit. There should not be any hassle in the settlement of

the maintenance required in low-grade plants. As an EPC, we

energy generated from the solar plant. There should be proper calculation mentioned in

should focus on the material used and skilled manpower for

the consumption generated by DISCOM, in which they should mention power generated

the execution of the project since this can change the life cycle

from the solar plant, exported power, and banked units (if any). It will give clarity to the

of the project. EPC companies should work on decent margins otherwise they will not

customer regarding their electricity bill and savings from the solar plant.

be able to provide after-sales service which is a requirement of the project. EPCs should focus on the BOS used for the project and BOM used in modules. Generally, people talk about module and inverter only and they are not concern about BOS i.e. earthing material,

EPC companies should work on decent

cables, conduits, Walkway cable trays, etc. which is an essential part of the project. It is the job of EPC to educate the end customer regarding the BOS of the project so that a quality

margins otherwise they will not be able

project can be delivered.

to provide after-sales service which is a

Support of the government is also required to emerge as a leader in the market in terms of policy (net metering, gross metering) and financing. The government should give a firm

requirement of the project. EPCs should

policy keeping in mind to promote the installation of solar projects and they should stick

focus on the BOS used for the project and

to in for 25 years. Frequent changes in policy by the government will lead to distrust which is not good for the growth of the industry.

BOM used in modules.

Support for DISCOM is also required for the implementation of the project as it should be a hassle-free process from the DISCOM end. DISCOM must follow the net metering

Mr. Sangram Singh, Director, SunReform Energy Pvt Ltd According to me the rooftop solar industry is mainly lagging

According to me Bankers should come up with some loan facility. All schools and institution

because of not getting proper support from the Electricity

should be mandate for installation of solar power plants. Talking about commercial sector

department. Many states are not aware of the net metering policy.

Policies are there, but no proper implementation is their on the policies. CFA ( Central finance assistance ) are their, but due to

all commercial buildings should also be given some type of CFA to promote solar rooftop in industrial sectors. But without electricity departments support this mission of making India green will not be possible. Many more issues are there which vendors are facing on ground level. solar rooftop is a one time investment but due to not maintaining proper

delay it’s getting very hard for a vendor to manage his business. Due to lack of support

quality of the system it’s falling down.

from Government nodal agencies the solar rooftop is not touching height. Lack of

Proper guidelines and procedure should be maintained so that one can easily install the

awareness and finance part are the major issues.

solar plant without any hesitation and also metering issues should be given online.

Dr. Sanjay Vashishtha, CEO, Firstgreen Consulting Pvt Ltd Government of India has a target of 175 GW of renewable’s

made part of this line of credit so that handling of large volume of solar rooftop financing

installation by 2022. Of this target solar installation is planned of

applications can be made possible and many rooftop solar developers get access of this

the order of 100 GW and government has given rooftop sector

low-cost financing option.

target of 40 GW by 2022. As of date by December 2018 India has

In recent years demand aggregation of solar rooftop capacity has been quite successful by

about 1.44 GW of solar rooftop installation.

looking at examples in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra. The demand aggregation

As for Deloitte report “ Scaling up rooftop solar in MSME in India” rooftop installation in MSME sector constitutes a significant share on rooftop solar installation and government targets about 40% rooftop solar targets from Commercial and Industrial sectors only.

The electricity cost in C&I consumers is significantly higher and hence while solar has reached a great parity C&I consumers can contribute significantly to achieve government of India’s targets for rooftop solar installations. Considering the fact that government of India is no longer providing subsidy to the C&I, however there is still requirement of at least low cost financing support to this sector.

will help to create attractive capacity to the Solar project developers and will bring down the overall installation cost.

It is equally important to involve Discom for billing & collection and the solar PPAs need to be made tri party PPAs where Discom has responsibility of the payment collection as a part of their regular billing and collection activities for grid electricity sale. Demand aggregation of solar rooftop projects with RESCO model can become a successful model where the PPAs are triparty PPAs and Discom has the role of billing and payment collection agent on behalf of solar project developer. Industrial estate bodies such as MIDC, GIDC, HSIDC, etc can also become part of the solar rooftop installation and help in billing

currently there are various international line of credit is available through ADB, World Bank

and payment collection of payments from C&I consumers within their industrial clusters.

and KFW however this line of credit is available through few of the public sector banks

Government should also create a partial risk guarantee fund which will help to fund solar

such as SBI, PNB and bank of Baroda. Some of the private sector banks should also be

rooftop projects to the rooftop solar developers.

Mr. Ishan Chaturvedi, Co Founder, Vareyn Solar Pvt. Ltd The Rooftop Solar Energy Industry needs a strong knowledge

effective and far more sustainable than traditional technologies, furthermore there are

base on traditional installation techniques and technologies,

newer installation techniques which are saving Balance of System costs and making

also bold decisions to advocate newer tested technologies

Solar Rooftop Installations reach places where it was considered too expensive until now.

and strong engineering base. There is a necessity to develop

Almost two year back, Vareyn Solar took up a challenging project of rooftop solar at

the entire value chain ecosystem to become competitive and achieve sustainable growth.

Indira IVF Hospital, Udaipur. The requirement was for a high superstructure of 20 feet height and a shed construction of 32 feet height. We advocated for 5 bus bar half cell

The Solar Energy Industry is ever changing, with the advent of newer Panel Manufacturing

panels, the material choice was a mix of traditional and new technology. The project

Technologies and Solar Panel Material for example, Organic Cells, Perovskite Cells, etc.

was completed with our in-house engineering, design and execution team, using a few

there is going to be a change in the landscape of Rooftop Installations. There is a good

external structural auditors. We were able to create value for the entire roof real-estate

chance of new leaders coming up in the market with new offerings which are cost

to the client by using less than 70sq.ft. - 80sq.ft. per kWp resulting in a 100kWp Plant.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 57

Infographics

The Growth Of Global Solar PV Markets The annual global market for solar photovoltaics (PV) increased only slightly in 2018, but

The Growth Of Indian Solar PV Market

enough to surpass the 100 GW level (including on- and off-grid capacity) for the first time.

The second-largest market in Asia was India, which added an estimated 10.8 GW for a total

Cumulative capacity increased approximately 25% to at least 505 GW; this compares to a

of around 32.9 GWiii. 34 Installations were down relative to the previous year, for the first

global total of around 15 GW only a decade earlier. Higher demand in emerging markets

time since 2014. The decline was due to several factors, including land and transmission

and in Europe, due largely to ongoing price reductions, compensated for a substantial

constraints, a safeguard duty on imports from China and Malaysia (the sources of about

market decline in China that had consequences around the world.

85% of India’s imports of solar product), flaws in the tender scheme and uncertainty

Despite the single-digit growth rate of the global market in 2018, solar PV has become the world’s fastest-growing energy technology, with gigawatt-scale markets in an increasing number of countries.4 Demand for solar PV is spreading and expanding as it becomes the most competitive option for electricity generation in a growing number of markets – for residential and commercial applications and increasingly for utility projects – even without

surrounding the Goods and Services Tax, all of which affected large-scale installations.

Investment in India’s solar sector fell 27% by one estimate, despite an increase in investment in new manufacturing facilities, because of the decrease in installations and the decline in system costs. Even so, solar PV was India’s largest source of new power capacity for the second year running, and, for the first time, it accounted for more than half of the capacity added during the year.38 India is targeting 100 GW of installed solar

accounting for the external costs of fossil fuels.

PV by fiscal year 2022.39

Eleven countries added more than 1 GW of new capacity during the year, up from 9

The Indian rooftop market continued to grow rapidly, up about two-thirds during 2018

countries in 2017 and 7 countries in 2016, and markets around the world have begun to

by one estimate.But total rooftop capacity remained relatively low, reaching as much as

contribute significantly to global growth.6 By the end of 2018, at least 32 countries had a

a few GW by year’s end, a long way from the national target of 40 GW by 2022. The

cumulative capacity of 1 GW or more, up from 29 countries one year earlier.

rooftop market continued to consist mainly of large commercial and industrial companies,

FIGURE 1. Solar PV Global Capacity and Annual Additions, 2008-2018 Gigawatts 600

World Total

505 Gigawatts 500

+100

Annual additions Previous year‘s capacity

405

400

+99

305

300

229 177

200

100

15

23

+7

+8

2008

2009

40

+17

71

101

138

+76

+51

+39

+37

+30

+31

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Note: Data are provided in direct current (DC).

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

2018 Source: Becquerel Institute and IEA PVPS. See endnote 2 for this section.

FIGURE 2: Solar PV Global Capacity, by Country and Region, 2008-2018 Gigawatts 600

World Total

505 Gigawatts 500

Rest of World India Germany Japan

405

400

United States China

305

300

229 177

200

100

15

23

2008

2009

40

71

101

138

0

2010

2011

2012

w w w w w w .. ss Data oo ll aaare rr qq uu aa rr ttineedirect rr .. cc current oo m m (DC).

Note: provided

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018 Solar 2019 SolarQuarter Quarter •August August 2019 58 Source: See endnote 21 for•this section.

as well as government entities and educational institutions, all seeking to reduce their electricity bills; few residential customers can afford the upfront costs.

FIGURE 3: Solar PV Capacity and Additions, Top 10 Countries, 2018 Gigawatts 200

As in recent years, most of India’s newly installed capacity during 2018 was in largescale installations, with the bulk of this in five states: Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra

Annual additions

+45.0

Previous year‘s capacity

150

Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.43 At least three of these states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) continued to face curtailment challenges, in the range of

100

10-25%, which resulted in significant losses to project developers. More than 40 GW of additional large-scale solar projects was tendered in India during 2018. However, the

+10.6

+6.5

50

+3.0

gap expanded between tenders issued and auctions completed. Many auctions were cancelled retroactively, and several gigawatts of awarded capacity were annulled during the year.

+10.8 +0.4

+0.3

+3.8

+0.9

+2.0

France

Republic of Korea

0 China

United States

Japan

Germany

India

Italy

Note: Data are provided in direct current (DC).

Data for India are highly uncertain.

United Australia Kingdom

Source: See endnote 23 for this section.

FIGURE 4: Solar PV Global Capacity Additions, Shares of Top 10 Countries and Rest of World, 2018

45 %

China

11%

United States

7%

Japan

15 %

Next 6 countries

Australia Germany Mexico

11% India

13 %

Rest of World

Note: Totals do not add up due to rounding.

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Republic of Korea Turkey The Netherlands

4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1%

Source: See endnote for this section.

REN21: RENEWABLES 201977 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 59

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Ginlong Solis Powers Large Rooftop Solar Projects By SunSource

India’s rooftop solar growth story is gathering great momentum in 2019. As per the recent

Stock Exchange at a valuation of 4 billion Yuan (~$590 million). The company had floated

government statistics, rooftop solar power installations in India saw an addition of a record

20 million shares at 26.64 yuan (~$3.96) and raised 533 million yuan (~$ 79.27 million).

1,836 megawatt (MW). The total rooftop solar power installed capacity now stands at

With this, the company is now ready for launching new intelligent products in the string

approximately 4,500 MW an 80% growth annually.

inverter and energy storage segments.

Powering this massive growth is the rapidly evolving solar inverter technology. The solar

India is seeing a major push for new rooftop solar capacity additions across commercial,

inverters, also known as the brain of solar projects, are now more powerful, robust,

industrial, public sector, and residential projects. As per a recent report by IEEFA, rooftop

intelligent and reliable than ever before.

solar installation will grow at a CAGR of 50 per cent for the next three years. India is

Leading India’s rooftop solar inverter technology race is Ginlong Solis which has made

expected to achieve a cumulative 13 GW of installed rooftop solar capacity by FY22. With

massive inroads in the India rooftop solar market and significantly grown its market share,

an installed capacity of almost 2,200 MW, the industrial segment is the biggest contributor

driven by its cutting-edge inverter technology and an aggressive growth strategy.

to the solar rooftop power portfolio.

Recently two mega solar rooftop projects were commissioned, powered by Ginlong Solis inverters. The first project was 1.724 MW rooftop solar installation and located at Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal, Delhi International Airport, which was executed by SunSource Energy with 22 pcs Solis-60k-4G inverters. This project started the construction on 18 Feb 2019 and was commissioned on 4 May 2019, showing a strong commitment of all stakeholders towards a quick delivery and construction of the project.

The second rooftop solar project’s capacity is 1.04 MW located at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (Indian Railways), West Bengal-71331 and uses a variety of solar inverters of 20kW, 30kW and 50kW series by Ginlong Solis and was commissioned on 19 Feb 2019.

Also, as visible by the two projects above, it is interesting to see that the average size of the rooftop solar project capacity has been increasing, driven by greater demand of rooftop solar in the commercial & industrial sectors.

Leading India’s rooftop solar inverter technology race is Ginlong Solis which has made massive inroads in the India rooftop solar market and significantly grown its market share, driven by its cutting-edge inverter technology and an aggressive growth strategy.

Ginlong Solis inverters are now preferred for rooftop solar projects in India due a number of distinguished advantages. The new-age inverters are increasingly focussed on stability, safety, data management and reliability of the grid interconnection for the solar projects which have become increasingly complex in its applications.

Now with a greater push in for rooftop solar installations in India, there is an increased demand of highly advanced inverter technology offerings for a variety of applications such as residential, C&I, solar+storage & EV Charging infrastructure applications. Ginlong Solis offers an extremely strong product portfolio in India today across these markets.

Ginlong Solis inverters offer many distinguished advantages: latest technology platform with 99.1%, max efficiency and 1.5 DC/AC Ratio, 100% components from world’s Leading Brands and THDi < 3% and so on…Ginlong Solis inverters also use the ultra- low temperature rise technology offers reliable operation with sufficient power even at higher temperatures. These unique features have made Ginling Solis inverters the prefered choice of rooftop solar developers & installers in India.

Now with a greater push in for rooftop solar installations in India, there is an increased demand of highly advanced inverter technology offerings for a variety of applications such as residential, C&I, solar+storage & EV Charging infrastructure applications.

Recently Ginlong (Solis) Technologies, was listed as a public company on the Shenzhen

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Solar Solar Quarter Quarter ••August August 2019 2019 60

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Renewable Energy And Jobs - Globally KEY FACTS � The global renewable energy sector employed 11 million people in 2018. This compares with 10.3 million in 2017, based on available information. � R Employment remains concentrated in a handful of countries, with China, Brazil, the United States, India and members of the European Union in the lead. Asian countries’ share remained at 60% of the global total. � Several factors — including national deployment and industrial policies, changes in the geographic footprint of supply chains and in trade patterns, and industry consolidation trends — shape how and where jobs are created.

� While the analysis suggests job growth in 2018, some of the increase reflects the continued improvement and refinement of methodologies that allows a rising share of employment to be captured in statistics

Renewable Energy and Jobs - India In India less utility-scale capacity was added in 2018 than in 2017, but rooftop installations expanded by 66%. By late 2018, cumulative capacity in the utility-scale segment was 24.4 GW, 3.8 GW in rooftop, and 0.8 GW in off-grid solar (Mercom India Research, 2019; Kenning, 2018b).

India’s employment in grid-connected solar PV, as estimated by IRENA using employment

� Nonetheless, the increasingly diverse geographic footprint of energy-generation

factors, increased to 115 000 jobs in 2018, a gain of more than 20 000. Jobs in off-grid

capacities and, to a lesser degree, assembly and manufacturing plants, has created jobs

solar applications cannot be calculated with precision but may well double total solar

in a rising number of countries.

employment.

� The solar PV industry retains the top spot, with a third of the total renewable energy workforce. In 2018, PV employment expanded in India, Southeast Asia and Brazil, while China, the United States, Japan and the European Union lost jobs � Rising off-grid solar sales are translating into growing numbers of jobs in the context of expanding energy access and spurring economic activities in previously isolated communities. � Rising output pushed biofuel jobs up 6% to 2.1 million. Brazil, Colombia, and Southeast Asia have labour-intensive supply chains, whereas operations in the United States and the European Union are far more mechanised. � Employment in wind power supports 1.2 million jobs. Onshore projects predominate, but the offshore segment is gaining traction and could build on expertise and infrastructure in the offshore oil and gas sector. � Hydropower has the largest installed capacity of all renewables but is now expanding slowly. The sector employs 2.1 million people directly, three quarters of whom are in operations and maintenance.

In India less utility-scale capacity was added in 2018 than in 2017, but rooftop installations expanded by 66%. By late 2018, cumulative capacity in the utility-scale segment was 24.4 GW, 3.8 GW in rooftop, and 0.8 GW in off-grid solar (Mercom India Research, 2019; Kenning, 2018b).

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND JOBS – ANNUAL REVIEW 2019 - IRENA

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 61

Product Feature

Sineng Electric Has Been Pioneering Pv Inverter Market With Enormous Amount Of Worldwide Installed Inverters As Of July 2019 Founded in 2009 with 13 GW inverter manufacturing capacity, Sineng Electric has been pioneering PV inverter market with enormous amount of worldwide installed inverters as of July 2019. To meet exponentially increased local demands and provide on-time delivery and service, it has established 3GW annual production capacity factory in Bangalore, India in 2018. R&D division is considered as the backbone of its leadership in market, that’s why a huge amount of its turnover is invested annually in product development. Sineng is committed to ensure state-of-the-art technology and has been working relentlessly with a motto “Endless Energy for Limitless Green.”

Sineng offers a complete range of central -EP series, central distributed -CP series and string inverter-SP series solutions spanning from commission, installation and maintenance across the world. It also provides series of energy storage solutions (ESS)- EM, EC, EH and ES series for DC and AC side, PPC and SCADA solution for monitoring and controlling the power plant. These wide ranges of inverters and ESS solutions are suitable to meet the diversified needs of customers for the smallest residential PV systems right up to huge MW and GW PV plants.

At REI-2019, Sineng will display its flagship product 3.125 MW central inverter (EP-3125HA-UD) which has been extensively adopted by Indian customers. It features 3-level topology, maximum efficiency of 99%, and able to deliver up to 3125 KW without derating at an ambient temperature up to 50 ºC. In addition to this, it also come along with IP54 overall protection (IP65 for internal components such as IGBT module, DC bus capacitor, SMPS for various drive, DSP control board etc) and anti-corrosion protection to protect the

Sineng offers a complete range of central

inverter from harsh environments, especially suitable for hot and humid climates in India.

-EP series, central distributed -CP series

The inverter can gain DC/AC ration up to 1.5 which ensures high yield. To connect to the grid as per IEC and CEA requirements, respectively, it is also equipped with night static VAR generator-SVG function, anti-islanding, over/under voltage protection and LVRT capability for smooth operation. Input and output side of the inverter is designed following IEC, EN and other standards so as to secure the highest level of safety for inverters and users.

and string inverter-SP series solutions spanning from commission, installation and maintenance across the world. It also

This is amazing! One of the breakthrough innovations of this inverter is 2-phase cooling

provides series of energy storage solutions

system which uses the theories of thermodynamics -Endothermic vaporization, Exothermic

(ESS)- EM, EC, EH and ES series for DC and AC

condensation and Thermosiphon mechanism. It is a closed system that contains a small

side, PPC and SCADA solution for monitoring

amount of refrigerant. Rotating speed of cooling fans is controlled by DSP controller according to sensed internal temperature which enables this device to save energy loss.

and controlling the power plant.

What a rush! EP-3.125 MW Inverter is a front maintenance and modular designed device which saves time and is convenient for inspecting and repairing while any fault occurs. It was developed for large-scale 1500V ground mounted PV plants. Adopting this device gives an ease to design 6.25MW or 12.5MW large block, which in return enable to achieve optimum LCOE. It supports RS485 communication interface which allows it for longer distance, faster data transmission and noise free. Compared with same rated power inverter of other brands, it is smaller and more cost effective.

Sineng will showcase multi-MPPTs 60 KW string inverters (SP-60K-L) as well which focuses on large and medium-scale commercial rooftop. Another latest model of string family is SP-200K-H0 which is characterized by maximum efficiency of 99% and delivers one of the highest power densities on the present string inverter market. It possesses 10 MPPTs

What a rush! EP-3.125 MW Inverter is a front maintenance and modular designed device which saves time and is convenient for inspecting and repairing while any fault

which help in reducing mismatch problems.

occurs. It was developed for large-scale

At our booth, visitors will also get the opportunity to acquire insights on Integrated Solution

1500V ground mounted PV plants. Adopting

-4.0 and energy storage solutions (ESS). Intelligent combiner box, model- EJB-H24-M12 will also be exhibited which features 12 MPPTs, IP-65 protection level, over voltage and current protection and so on. It also supports bifacial PV modules with maximum input current 13A. At Sineng, we are always learning, always improving, and always growing. Should you have

this device gives an ease to design 6.25MW or 12.5MW large block, which in return enable to achieve optimum LCOE.

any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us and visit our site at www.si-neng.com.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 62

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

City Leadership In The Global Energy Transition Climate action at the city level has both reinforced and been supported by nationallevel commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to take steps towards climate mitigation and adaptation. For example, as part of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted under the Paris Agreement, national governments out of 164 made commitments as of 2016 to support the transition to low-carbon cities.83 By contributing to wider efforts, municipal governments ensure that city voices are represented at the national and international levels, while national and state/provincial

City-level

climate

commitments

often

exceed the current ambitions of the countrylevel NDCs, highlighting the importance of vertical cooperation as well as city-to-city

governments are able to connect more directly with communities to understand local

networks to achieve greater climate goals

priorities and create more effective policies.

and action.87 For example, in response to

Cities also are demonstrating their willingness to partner globally, as highlighted by the commitments of city representatives at the 2015 United Nations climate talks in Paris. At the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, held in parallel to the official Paris negotiations, 440 mayors from five continents committed to collectively reducing 3.7 gigatonnes of urban greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030.85 Since the signing of the Paris Agreement, cities worldwide have accelerated their efforts to address climate change through energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy deployment, as well as through new partnerships. In 2017, 158 local governments, businesses, non-governmental

the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2017, the US Conference of Mayors – representing more than 1,400 cities nationwide – adopted a resolution in support of 100% renewables.

organisations and research institutions signed the Nagano Declaration, committing to increase co-operation and accelerate the transition

REN21: RENEWABLES 2019 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

to 100% renewable energy cities.

City-level climate commitments often exceed the current ambitions of the country-level NDCs, highlighting the importance of vertical cooperation as well as city-to-city networks to achieve greater climate goals and action.87 For example, in response to the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2017, the US Conference of Mayors – representing more than 1,400 cities nationwide – adopted a resolution in support of 100% renewables.88 The We Are Still In coalition, including over 280 US cities and counties, alongside states, businesses, universities and other groups, similarly pledged to honour the Paris Agreement.

Nationally

and

internationally,

networks

of

municipal governments have expanded their scope and membership to increase their capacity, share lessons on climate and energy solutions, and inspire other cities to act. In 2018, another 1,800 signatories joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy – committing to actions to address climate change, including scaling up renewable energy – bringing the total membership to over 9,200 municipalities, representing some 770 million people or nearly 10% of the global population . 90 Similarly, by year’s end, the international network C40 had connected 96 cities (representing more than 700 million people and 25% of gross world product) to take climate action, and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability has united more than 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development, representing more than a quarter of the global urban population.

In early 2019, ICLEI began collaborating with CDP to streamline the process of city climate reporting, including renewable energy, by engaging in joint reporting.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 63

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Policies To Integrate Variable Renewable Energy As the transformation of energy systems continues in many countries, policy makers have

Approximately three-quarters of NDCs specifically reference renewables as tools for

focused on the development and deployment of enabling technologies to facilitate the

mitigating climate change, and more than half establish renewable energy targets.

integration of renewable energy technologies. Policies to integrate VRE can address both

Climate strategies that set targets for partial or complete decarbonisation can establish

supply and demand to increase the flexibility of the overall energy system. Traditional

indirect mechanisms for scaling growth in the renewable energy sector. These goals often

fiscal and regulatory mechanisms have been used to advance the deployment of enabling

necessitate a shift away from fossil fuels in many sectors of the economy. For example, in

technologies, and new mechanisms also have emerged.

2018, the European Commission outlined its strategy for reaching a zero-carbon economy

Sector integration offers the potential to overcome challenges associated with higher

across the region by 2050, and individual EU member countries were required to establish

shares of VRE or to maximise the value of renewable energy investments. Policy makers

national energy and climate plans to meet EU-wide 2030 targets.

can directly link sectors, as in the case where renewable electricity is used for charging EVs.

In 2018, Costa Rica announced its plan to ban fossil fuels and become the first decarbonised

This leads to numerous benefits: for example, renewable electricity can help to decarbonise

country in the world.Israel pledged to eliminate the use of coal, gasoline and diesel for

transport or other sectors, while the batteries found in EVs offer electricity storage capacity,

energy production and transport by 2030, in favour of natural gas and renewable fuels.132

which can help integrate VRE into the wider energy system. To date, however, few countries

At the sub-national level, California established a state-wide goal to achieve carbon

have implemented policies to advance sector integration specifically with renewables.

neutrality no later than 2045, and London outlined its strategy for zero carbon by 2050.133

Increasingly, policy makers are promoting the ancillary grid services offered by enabling

Municipal initiatives continued to be advanced through partnerships such as the Global

technologies and, to a lesser extent, by renewable energy. The design of appropriate power market rules is an important lever for increased participation of VRE and other enabling

Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, which by the end of 2018 included over 9,200 cities committed to combating climate change.

technologies in electricity markets and trade. In China, the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020)

The ongoing transformation of power systems – spurred by factors such as the closure of

and related initiatives aim in part to create new wholesale electricity markets that work for

coal and nuclear power plants – has led to an increased focus on ensuring the reliability

renewables.115 In the EU, the Clean Energy for Europeans Package, finalised in late 2018,

of electricity supply using new generation mixes. This has resulted in opportunities

further opens markets to renewable electricity, energy storage and demand response;

for renewable energy and enabling technologies that offer ancillary grid services.New

it will allow energy consumers to be exposed to wholesale electricity pricing, increasing

developments in 2018 included a commitment to phase out coal power in Hungary

opportunities for arbitrage and for higher levels of distributed renewables.

by 2030.

In 2018, Australia’s Renewable Energy Agency and the government of the state of Victoria

Carbon taxes and emissions trading systems are among the policy mechanisms that can

jointly funded battery storage at a transmission terminal to help stabilise the grid by

stimulate interest in low-carbon, renewable energy technologies to meet climate mitigation

drawing power at peak times. At the transmission level, in a major development in the United States, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued orders to grid operators to develop rules for energy storage to participate in wholesale, capacity and ancillary services markets.

The ongoing maturation of battery storage technologies – driven largely by the rapidly

goals. At least 54 carbon pricing initiatives had been implemented by the end of 2018 (up from 46 in 2017), including 27 emissions trading systems and 27 carbon taxes.Carbon pricing initiatives that were being implemented by the end of 2018 covered around 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while those that were scheduled for implementation would cover an additional 7%..

expanding EV sector – has created opportunities for the deployment of battery and other storage solutions alongside more traditional technologies such as pumped (hydropower) storage. This has led to a push for mandates and incentives promoting the deployment of energy storage capacity both in front of the meter (for example, utility scale, centralised) and behind the meter (for example, residential and commercial). These storage mandates have focused increasingly on battery storage technologies, and some, such as California’s, explicitly exempt pumped storage.Among new policies in 2018, Jordan issued a tender for a new energy storage project that aims to put 30 MW of storage capacity online by early 2019. Ireland established new rules that accelerate the process for approving connections for more than 370 MW of energy storage projects. For household systems, the state of South Australia launched an AUD 100 million (USD 70.5 million) subsidy scheme for the installation of home battery systems, particularly to facilitate rooftop solar PV, and the Australian Capital Territory began a household energy storage rebate programme.Another emerging trend is policies that encourage the joint installation of renewables (primarily solar PV) and energy storage systems. Both Lebanon and Madagascar held solar PV-plusstorage auctions in 2018, and India solicited bids for a 160 MW solar PV-wind-storage hybrid project. Multiple jurisdictions also offered incentives for the development or deployment of solar PV-plus-storage, including Ireland, which began providing household grants in 2018, and Thailand.At the sub-national level, the US states of California, Massachusetts

Sector integration offers the potential to overcome challenges associated with higher shares of VRE or to maximise the value of renewable energy investments. Policy makers can directly link sectors, as in the case where renewable electricity is used for charging EVs. This leads to numerous benefits: for example, renewable electricity can help to decarbonise transport or other sectors, while the batteries found in EVs offer electricity storage capacity, which can help integrate VRE into the wider energy system.

and New York introduced new incentives for solar PV-plus-storage projects.

Governments continued to invest in R&D to further advances in battery storage technology.

In 2018, the UK government invested GBP 246 million (USD 312 million) in battery R&D; the US Department of Energy provided USD 27.7 million for long-duration energy storage; and the US state of Iowa began supporting battery technology research.126 Targets focused on enabling and integrating technologies – such as energy storage and EVs – also have gained prominence in recent years. For example, in 2018 the US state of New York established an initial target of 1.5 GW of energy storage by 2025 and later doubled this target to 3 GW by 2030. In addition, many countries have set targets for specific shares or volumes of EVs, which can enable increasing shares of renewable electricity in the transport sector.

CLIMATE POLICY AND RENEWABLES Energy production and consumption remains a key focal point in global efforts to address climate change. Renewable energy technologies have received both direct and indirect support through policies targeting mitigation as well as adaptation. Direct mechanisms include renewable-specific targets set through national emissions reduction strategies, such as the NDCs submitted by 181 countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The ongoing transformation of power systems – spurred by factors such as the closure of coal and nuclear power plants – has led to an increased focus on ensuring the reliability of electricity supply using new generation mixes. This has resulted in opportunities for renewable energy and enabling technologies that offer ancillary grid services.New developments in 2018 included a commitment to phase out coal power in Hungary by 2030.

REN21: RENEWABLES 2019 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 64

Company Feature

With innovation at heart!

Arcedo Systems, a Solar EPC start-up which was found in 2016 by young technocrats after their successful stints together in various portfolios. Being a start-up, we explore various innovative solar set-up and models through and we had already implemented India’s first large scale floating solar in Vishakhapatnam (2MW). Also, we had also executed one of the largest solar carport model with our own proprietary design which withstood Cyclone Fani (205kmph) in Odisha, apart from the normal ground mounted and rooftop solar power systems.

Radite Has Planned To Set Up 100 Charging Stations In The Fy 19-20 Radite is a reputed name in India’s Solar Industry sector with a cumulative installation of approximately 600 MW of solar projects for some of the largest and most respected developers. The company has special expertise in Solar Ground based projects, Solar Rooftop Projects, Telecom Towers, Boundary fencing , Operation and maintenance,

Strategy With a vision to not only become a no.1 company in implementing various innovative solutions in solar space, we wanted to be approached by any organization or a client for a one-stop solution whether in EPC or I&C requirement. This makes us a unique company for being an all-rounder in solar energy sector within shorter period of time.

In addition to the existing portfolio, we are diversifying our business into Electric vehicle as well, and plans are afoot to make it into a realization at the earliest in a business model where no manufacturer in India has ventured-into.

Equipment and Manpower hiring etc.

Recently, Radite has ventured into development of Electrical vehicle charging Infrastructure and is targeting to be a leading manufacturer and supplier of EV charging systems.

The Govt of India has initiated FAME –II scheme for Electric Vehicles which is being implemented by Department of Heavy Industries. The Government is pushing for 30% of the country’s vehicle population to be Electric by 2028. The development of a robust

Business Concept Our business concepts evolve from time to time where no other company has tried out in India or anywhere else in the world even when it is demanding for an economical solution. Also, we operate on various models whether it is OpEx or CapEx model, we can invest in projects for clients with good ratings. As mentioned earlier, we can fit into various shoes whether as an EPC company or an I&C company where we can prove our quality by adopting various solution for a faster completion.

and well spread charging infrastructure will play a major role. Radite has planned to set up 100 charging stations in the FY 19-20 in some metro and mega cities, an experience we expect to utilize for a bigger expansion in the next FY. For this we have collaborated with some European and Chinese OEMs for supply of chargers as per Indian standards and specifications.

Some of the chargers are AC- 22Kw and 44 KW and DC- 15 Kw, 30 Kw, 60 Kw and 120

Team & Management With a growth of 80% YoY from the day Arcedo was started, we are a 65+ company now from a 3-member team at the initial stage. To enter and make a mark in India and overseas we have started campaigning around India and Overseas to scout for projects and name for ourselves.

This company was found by 3 key members i.e., Mr.Sandeep Vangapalli, Mr.Navneeth Rao Gannamaneni and Mr.Vijay Kumar Gangaraju in the year 2016.

Kw, which we will integrate with our own product in Indian Market. We are already in talk with some Cab Operators, Real Estate players, Govt Agencies, PSUs, Fuel centers (petrol pumps and CNG stations) for partnership in development of charging infrastructure. We are also Collaborating with various state Municipal Corporations and local bodies for installation of EV chargers. We aim to set up our battery manufacturing unit to cater to

Customers & Projects

the need of Indian EV market and ensure a steady supply of batteries for our own plans

We can proudly say that we are not limited to any particular dimension in solar sector as we are here to fill-in the gaps where anyone else finds it difficult to accomplish and or looking out for innovative solutions with zero compromise on quality. We very selectively accept projects where we can really add good value in terms of providing innovative solutions. Most of the times we get repetitive business from our existing customer base, this shows the quality and commitment we put forward to our customers.

in the space.

Radite is committed to evaluate every opportunity in the sustainability and renewable energy space, with an aim to make a positive contribution to society and play a key role in driving these essential changes.

One of India’s Fastest Growing Solar Module Manufacturers Toll Free: 1800-313-5052

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India Expo Center, Greater Noida

18 - 20 September, 2019

Solar Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 65

Perspective

Are State Governments Doing Enough For Promoting Solar Rooftop?

Mr. Ashu Gupta, Head Regulatory and Government Relation, Cleanmax Solar Solar Rooftop or we may say distributed solar pv system is

energy in distributed form in their area and from only one angle of perceived threat to

perhaps the best usage of the solar PV technology and state

the revenue of the state utilities. Some of the progressive states like Telangana, Punjab etc.

governments understand the same as well. Most of the state

which have realized the benefit of rooftop have gone ahead with single portal facility for

governments through their agencies like the SNA and SERCs

the approval of the rooftop plants and due to the states initiatives tremendous growth can

have issued progressive policies and regulations respectively,

be seen. The new subsidy scheme for the promotion of the residential rooftop solar pv

but in recent times the state utilities of many of the states have been seen becoming

system will definitely be a game changer in the growth of this sector if not in volume but

hurdle in the promotion and growth of the same. The SERCs have also been amending

in terms of reach and spread. It will be very interesting to see the growth in this sector post

the regulations from time to time which are deterrent in nature for the growth of this

the implementation of rooftop solar phase II as proposed by government of India where

sector. The more worrying part is the helplessness of the state government in ensuring

by incentivising the DISCOMs and making them nodal agencies for the promotion of the

that the policies and regulations are not deterrent in nature for this sector. As a duty of the

solar rooftop and distributed generation programme.

state government needs to see the overall impact of the increase of usage of renewable

Mr. Dharmendra Jain, Director, HFM Solar Power Private Limited Uttar Pradesh, owing to large population and economic

install rooftop solar plant under Net Metering model for getting the cheap electricity

potential has high industrial, commercial as well as MSME

generated from the solar plant for their use and to reduce the cost of electricity bills. Now,

activity, representing a large & strong market for rooftop solar

according to the new UPERC policy, due to the provision of gross metering instead of net

installations. UP has been assigned among the highest targets for

metering, electricity produced from Solar Roof Top Plant will go directly to the grid and it

solar rooftop (4.3 GWp) of which only 6.1% has been achieved on

will not be utilized by the Roof top owner hence Institutions will not take any interest in

date. The untapped potential represents a significant market opportunity to rooftop solar

installing the Solar plant. We sincerely urge to the Uttar Pradesh government to direct the

players. As per MNRE the state has 22.3 GWp potential.

Electricity Regulatory Commission to implement the old system of net metering in Uttar

With the new Regulation of the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission,

Pradesh so that the investment in the solar field should be encouraged and Hon’ble PM

in January, 2019 there will be a huge negative impact on investment in the rooftop solar sector in the state. The government / Public / Private institutions are only interested to

Modi and Hon’ble CM Yogi Government Solar Mission could touch the heights of success with getting the cheap electricity to the Institution and encourage using solar power in the state.

Mr. Nikhil Nahar, Co-Founder & Director, SolarSquare Energy Private Limited India has an ambitious target of 175 GWs of renewable energy by

Wherein below list captures typical hurdles practically faced by installers in various states:

2022 out of which 100 GWs is set to be completed through solar

1. Policy: Policy-level gray-zones call for clarifications/ amendments viz. approval process

with 40 GWs likely to be accomplished through rooftop solar.

However, present statistics show that we have merely crossed 30% of the solar target and touching 10% of rooftop solar. Slow run-rate needs an accelerated approach to meet the target.

While most states on-paper have conducive solar policies to allow grid connectivity for solar rooftop, some states have percolated clarity to implementation agencies while others still display disparity w.r.t. policy roll-out.

For instance, some leading states have recently announced encouraging moves: 1. Karnataka came up with a welcoming move to waive-off CEIG approval for up to 1 MW projects.

2. Tamil Nadu solar policy now permits LT consumers as well to go for solar, which was previously prohibited.

3. Rajasthan announced net-metering related favorable amendments for small solar gridinteractive systems. They have given definitive timelines which reduce the process to 25-30 days, as opposed to 3-6 months in certain states like Maharashtra.

4. Gujarat’s latest policy is promoting the development of small scale distributed solar PV sector.

for installations under non-net-metering scheme e.g. Maharashtra.

2. Awareness: Non-uniformity in the interpretation of terms such as MW/ MWp/ PF while processing applications e.g. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh.

3. Approvals: Lack of procedural awareness among the authorities, offline application processes, lack of single window channels add to the bureaucracy/ delays e.g.

Chattisgarh, Maharashtra.

4. Abrupt Changes: UP was in news recently for suddenly notifying the exclusion of C&I’s and public buildings from access to net-metering, which stalled/ delayed the installations.

5. Constraints: Gujarat still doesn’t allow 3rd party PPA’s for the solar rooftop projects.

Tamil Nadu does not permit net-metering for HT consumers.

6. Competitive-notion: Some discoms directly/ indirectly discourage the adoption of solar, as they see solar as a competition directly affecting their business rather than a means to fulfill the RPO. In summary, the proliferation of solar rooftop needs an inclusive approach for segments like residential, clarity on policy, awareness among stakeholders and pro-active approach in ground-level issue-resolution.

Mr. Vishwanath Kamath – Managing Director, Fronius India Private Limited The current government has been trying to come out with

Some of the quick market expectations from the government include - Timely subsidy

supportive and encouraging stand to promote solar in its all-time

with clear time bound release, Liasoning with discoms thereby enabling/facilitating the

best. It is quite evident from the way the target norms have been

whole process, Promotion of residential rootop solar through better financing schemes

elevated to 175 GW to 2022. Also the norm of 500 GW target by

and ways to reduce the burden of common man, net metering enabled for projects until 2

2030. Whereas if we ask sincerely if the ambitious energy and targets have reached out to the common man in terms of affordable, scalable, sustainable means, it’s a open ended question.

Solar has gone through lot of ups and downs, more aggressive scenario and cut throat market to where it has come now. From unbelievable EPC prices to revision of MNRE subsidy norms, it’s a total “Survival of the fittest” game.

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MW thereby the cap for project size sealing is taken off, nurture new entrants in the market who wish to execute EPC projects. Many new entrants have to perish from the market due to non-welcome scenario and don’t care attitude from the solar federation.

Also the government should emphasis on SPO (Solar purchase obligation) for all residential societies and industrial federation and should reward the ones who accomplish them. This would prove to be a great catalyst for the industry and nurture many to grow. Solar is possible !

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 66

Perspective

WILL INDIA BE ABLE To Keep Up The Growth Momentum In Solar Sector?

Mr. Bimal Jindal, Vice President-SCM, SB Energy (SoftBank Group) Solar Power is a source of clean energy and reduces the

Further, India has already achieved grid parity in terms of tariff for utility scale Solar Power

dependency on fossil fuels. India has set a target of 175 GW of

Projects in 2016. It is pertinent to note that Solar Power Projects tariff’s are now lower than

renewables power projects by 2022 which includes 100 GW of Solar Power Projects. The Government is targeting 40% of power from non-fossil fuels by 2030, which translates to 250 GW of

Coal and Gas power projects in India. This is a very positive sign as Solar Projects in India can be executed without any Government subsidies.

Solar Projects.

However, it is important to note that there are still challenges to meet the target Solar

India has commissioned Solar Power Projects cumulatively amounting to 1 GW in 2012, 10

project capacity, like:

GW in 2017 and 30 GW in 2019. Thanks to the effort and support from the Government, this reflects the exponential growth of the Solar sector. The first 10 GW milestone took five years after hitting the 1 GW milestone and the next 20 GW happened in just two years.

Indian Government is planning to issue another 60 GW of solar project tenders by 2020, to meet 100 GW of Solar Power target by 2022 .

This isn’t all. India has the potential of approx. 750 GW of Solar Projects as per Government data published in 2016-17. India has 470,000 sq.km. of wasteland and only 0.4 % of India’s

1. Timely availability of suitable Grid Infrastructure; 2. Land ROW (right of way) issues From the above, it is clear that India has the potential and resources to meet the growth momentum in Solar sector and needs to manage the challenges, which is possible through proper planning and Government support. To support the anticipated GDP growth, and to

wasteland is sufficient to meet the 2022 Solar Power target. India has both good solar

meet the impending Global Environment standards, India will need to accelerate the pace

irradiation and wasteland to meet such targets.

of growth in Solar Energy Generation.”

Mr. Pinaki Bhattacharyya, CEO, AMP India The Indian solar sector is at an inflection point and is about to become a success story. The installed capacity has reached an impressive 31.5GW (by end June 2019) but we still have a highly ambitious target of 100GW by 2022 to chase.

Although considerable efforts have been made to promote the sector such as a streamlined regulatory and policy framework, developing a conducive ecosystem for all stakeholders, obligatory large power consumers and strengthening grid infrastructure for seamless RE accommodation.

At the same time, there have been severe head winds in terms of uncertainty around duties (safeguard duty, anti-dumping duty), GST impact on solar EPC, caps on bid tariffs & the recent cancellation of PPAs by Andhra Pradesh tend to pull the sector backward.

The key to achieving India’s true solar potential and maintain the growth path is to create the right environment for private participation. While some of the ingredients for India’s path to achieving its potential are in place (e.g. the industry is gravitating towards institutional players with appetite for large investments, solar now has a track record of successful operations of almost 6/7 years), other aspects such as the policy environment need to be tweaked so that India can continue on its path to 100 GW and beyond of solar usage.

The long-term quality of the assets is of paramount importance and to ensure that, both corporate and government power purchasers should not be just driven by the lowest tariffs that will compromise long term quality of the assets. If we step back, the amount of solar energy that we as a nation can tap will be maximized if we create efficient and highquality solar assets supported by reliable transmission infrastructure. Rebidding by states, cancellation of Letters of Intent, putting tariff caps will eventually create poor quality assets and NPAs for banks. This leads to a national resource wastage as well as wastage of public money and not just investor returns and financial stress for developers.

Hence, the need of the hour is to make policies to promote solar rooftop on a large scale, augment the transmission infrastructure to accommodate for the new RE capacity coming online and better coordination between state and central governments with a sustained focus on rapid capacity deployment to help India move closer to its goal of 100GW by 2022.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 67 67

Perspective

What Are The Key Challenges In Construction Of Solar Rooftop Plants In Sri Lanka And How Can We Overcome Them?

Mr. Pathmanatha Poddiwala, General Manager/Executive Director, Panasian Power PLC Being a listed company Panasian Power PLC was the fist company

� Utility attend to give estimate for metering only after solar PV system installed and

to invest on a rooftop soalr PV project on a third-party roof

test by the chartered engineer and from that point sometimes they take more than

through debt financing through a bank and currently aggressively

3 months to grid connect the system, which is a huge waste of time and money from

into roof renting. We have come across various challenges as an

investor point of view as he keep on paying interest.

investor and also as an EPC which has discussed below in details

Need to give estimate for metering and grid connection when the customer makes a

� Policies for rooftop project are not consistent and regulator push huge pressure on

request and carryout installation of equipment’s once customer make the payment in

policy changes sometime not legally valid which has discouraged the investor and

parallel to the solar PV installation to avoid delays in grid connection

financiers. Sometime such changes are implemented over night and not even given a

� There is no proper procedure for making separate invoice for the solar PV generation

reasonable grace period for implemented projects to complete.

Need to have one policy at least it reaches certain milestone (like not of MWs from RT) or

in case of net plus scheme and no mechanism for roof owner to make a record on monthly revenue for accounting purpose

certain period and mean time if any changes to be decided by a committee and must be

Need to give a proper monthly invoice with units generated from the solar PV system

given reasonable time period

and revenue based on the tariff offered for the purpose of accounting revenue from the

Typical examples are two CEB internal circulars to discourage RT project which was revoked

investment

as those were against the current law

� Sometimes factory operation and solar investment can be through different entities

� Procedures for implementing and facilitating a rooftop projects are different from place to place and person to person and even same region one area office to another area, Need to have proper and unique guideline for the procedures to follow by officials which will not put a developers and investors in difficulty � CEB /utility sign agreement (net metering/net accounting or net plus) as last step of the process but in case of large utility scale projects under net plus (above 50kW) this is a huge risk for the investors and some banks reluctant to finance the project Utility should sign the buying agreement in advance (like PPA) subjected to acceptance of the system after testing which make the investor more comfortable and easier of bank financing due to the fact that if the utility do not purchase there is no alternative to the

and two different investments, but utility set off factory bill for electricity consumption with solar revenue which is a critical operational issue for investors since there is no mechanism even to communicate such settlement and if the roof owner enquire only they confirm such Since CEB recognize payment to third party account for solar revenue through an affidavit given by the present customer, they must not set off factory bill with solar revenue, but no issue CEB hold solar revenue payment until such time factory settle the payment for electricity consumption. � CEB official negative attitude towards the RT solar has been able to discourage the industry and investors

investor

Need proper awareness for CEB officials to prioritize the RT solar projects as a green

This also avoid damage due to possible policy changes as those who has signed agreements

energy source

are at lest secured

� Not having panel performance monitoring facilities also, a huge drawback in this

� CEB doesn’t come to tripartite agreements with the roof owner (present customer) and

market

investor and therefore investors don’t feel secure in investing on RT projects on third

� Investment on roof structure improvements and roof sheet replacement is also critical

party roofs,

� Policies doesn’t help for the roof owner to install panels based on roof area available as

Utility should give the comfort of entering into tripartite agreement with the present

it is based on contract demand irrespective of how much roof he has, this will hamper

customer and their investment partner if roof owner willing to do so which will reduce

large Wearhouse to go to rooftop solar PV even after investing on transformer

investment risk and bank will not reluctant to finance rooftop solar projects � Utility has different policies on giving approval for installed capacity (in principle approval) which is based on contract demand in kVA as per present bulk supply agreement and also DC overloading. Some go by inverter capacity and some go by panel capacity Need to have proper policy on go by inverter (AC output) capacity as the project capacity and not the solar PV panel capacity based on panel name plate which doesn’t make sense to measure the capacity by source, but it must be based on output. Design optimization should be a designer’s job and investor should have the freedom to optimize the system if it doesn’t violate the CEB guidelines Need to go by the inverter output capacity as installed capacity but not the solar PV panel

Utility should give the comfort of entering into tripartite agreement with the present customer and their investment partner if roof owner willing to do so which will reduce investment risk and bank will not reluctant to finance rooftop solar projects.

(DC) capacity which doesn’t maske any technical sense

Mr. Roshane Perera, CEO, Hayleys Solar Solar Rooftop opportunities in Sri Lanka can be mainly classified into 3 categories. Smaller scale 1-20kW Solar systems for domestic systems, 10-40kW systems on commercial roof tops and larger systems up to several Megawatts on Industrial rooftops. As almost 99% of Sri Lanka is electrified, off grid systems are not very popular. The industry saw its boom in 2015 with the change in the national policy: “Battle for solar Energy” to incorporate more sustainable energy generation into the energy mix of the island nation. The policy was implemented with a key focus on incentivized roof-top solar energy generation considering the abundance of solar resources.

As a conservative nation, the policy changes take a considerable amount of time and effort to implement the changes in practice and become actionable. Thus the initial adoption rate of the technology was sub-par. The volatile political landscape inherent to a developing nation led investors to be skeptical about the long-term profitability of these

w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m

projects at initial stages. With about 200MW of roof top solar installed in the country, investor confidence is high. However any change to the existing policy will affect the industry adversely. Consistent government policy on Solar is essential, and policy changes needs to be discussed with the relevant stakeholders prior to these being implemented.

Additionally, more accessible funding mechanisms will help the projects to materialize faster.

The aging electrical infrastructure of the rural parts of the country make decentralized generation challenging in regard to voltage regulation constraints in weak radial distribution networks. This results in many installations being affected by power quality issues leading to many difficulties during operation. Better support from the utility provider in addressing the power quality will further strengthen the appeal for solar investments.

Furthermore, better policies should be implemented to allow for hybrid generation and energy storage solutions allowing consumers in rural areas to install these systems in order to reduce their grid dependency.

Solar Quarter • August 2019 68

Perspective

Future Business Leaders In Solar Sector: What Are The CXOs Looking For? Mr. Sunil Bansal, Director, Diwakar Renewable The country’s solar power total generation capacity is 26 GW by end of September 2018 which comprises 87 per cent (23 GW) of utility-scale solar and about 13 per cent (3 GW) of rooftop solar projects. The country’s solar installed capacity reached 29.41 GW as of 31 May 2019. India has become globally the lowest cost producer of solar power. India will achieve 100 GW solar electricity capacities till 2022. (Which include 40GW as rooftops and the Indian government which had an initial target of 20 GW capacities for 2022?) The Government has revised the target of Grid Connected Solar Power Projects from 20,000 MW by the year 2021-22 to 100,000 MW by the year 2021-22 under the National Solar Mission. In August 2016, the forecast for solar photovoltaic installations was about 4.8 GW for the calendar year. About 2.8 GW was installed in the first eight months of 2016, more than all 2015 solar installations. India’s solar projects stood at about 21 GW, with about 14 GW under construction and about 7 GW to be auctioned. He also increased the government target for installed renewable energy by 2022 to 227GW. Rooftop solar -Rooftop solar capacity addition in 2019 is expected at 2,368 MW, 49% higher than in 2018.

Importance of Leadership:India’s 100 GW solar target would generate more than 1.1 million jobs by 2022 spread across business development (2%), design and pre-construction (3%), construction and commissioning (72%), operations and maintenance (23%). Around 81,000 highly skilled workers would be needed annually by 2022 to carry out annual and ongoing performance monitoring of solar projects.

Above figures tell the importance of leadership and quality and quantity of business leaders required in solar sector and what companies will look out in CEOs. Those future leaders must be equipped with clear vision, strategy, and experience and skills management to achieve the target. Future leaders must be adaptive and flexible and ready to face and plan according to day to day and long term issues. The smart leaders who are capable to do and achieve this are the most sought solar sector business leaders in future. Planning and re planning as per situation will be very important.

Solar is not just a business ,it is a movement and every future leader who is heading solar business should keep in mind this also.

Mr. Kushagra Juneja, Managing Partner, Design2Occupancy Services LLP The Indian solar market has evolved like none other in the last decade or so. Thanks to awareness on energy efficiency, provisions of subsidies and widespread and effective implementation of the net-metering scheme. The government has done a great job in sensitizing solar. in fact many entrepreneurs have derived alternate financial models, international investments have come in and domestic production and consumption has gone up manifold. Not only has this created widespread opportunity but also opened a new segment of business, sustainability.

Though, if we look at the cumulative face of business, many entrepreneurs are found struggling and customers dissatisfied. The government has already promised predictable policy making and stable tariffs to ensure sustainable business models. However, its absence so far has impacted, businesses and consumers alike. For instance, the domestic

Mr. Aniket Baheti, Co Founder, Peacock Solar India is a land of opportunities for start-ups, especially the tech start-ups aimed at disrupting the way we go about living our daily lives. With world’s finest engineers building innovative

subsidy scheme was announced by the central government and even publicised to a great extent. This left the customers enquiring subsidy for which no established guidelines have been floated, however, this led to the customers withholding their decision to install solar in the domestic sector. Several other schemes, such as carry forwarding of credit under net metering scheme, state and discom discretion on open access and increased competition are a few things that can be worked upon. Also, promoting manufacturing of solar cells in the domestic market can also lead to a boost in not just local economy but also in the exports which are currently limited in the solar domain.

Indian market sentiment is that of competitive ownership, the buyer earlier aspirational to buy cars is now investing in energy efficiency and sustainability not only out of responsibility but also out of peer competition. The onus is thus on us to make the most of it.

IDENTIFY SOLAR PROBLEMS THERMALLY

products, India has become a hub of technological innovation.

Even though innovation has spiralled into every aspect of our lives, our energy infrastructure is still decayed and paralyzed by traditional, old fashioned way of production, distribution and consumption.

India’s energy infrastructure looks up to a massive transformation with advent of solar sector and ambitious targets by Government. Solar allows for a cleaner generation, closer to the point of consumption, thereby eliminating the need for a grid infrastructure and energy losses. Future business leaders in Solar are looking out for innovative use definitely requires the need to attract technical and data analytics professionals who can build new models for managing energy at consumer level. CXOs are also looking out at visionary goals to aim for given that India currently barely consumes 1/30th that of US per capita energy consumption. Solar energy firms have the unique opportunity to sustainably

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enable the growth of India’s energy consumption without hampering the environment.

Lastly, CXOs from solar sectors expect mobilization of private capital which is required for scaling and trying out innovative financing models. Currently, solar industry is laden with debt and is heavily dependent on Government incentives and makes the entire industry vulnerable. With the assistance of private capital, solar firms can look forward to long term view for the industry and investors can fetch higher returns at lower risk.

Quality assurance and failure-free operation of the solar panels is a prerequisite for efficient power generation, long life, and a high return on the investment. To ensure this failure free operation, FLIR offers a fast, simple and reliable method to evaluate a solar panel’s performance during the production process and after the panel installation. FLIR thermal imaging cameras help scanning solar panels during normal operation and detect anomalies quickly within a short time frame.

This hot spot within one solar cell indicates physical damage within the cell.

With the assistance of private capital, solar firms can look forward to long term view for the industry and investors can fetch higher returns at lower risk.

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With thermal imaging complete panels can be inspected in one view. Anomalies in the solar panels clearly show up in these thermal images

Images for illustrative purposes only.

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08/08/18 5:51 PM Solar Quarter • August 2019 69

Company Feature

Company Diversified Into EPC Business Successfully In 2016 And Having 2000+ Customers As Of Now Goldi Solar Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Goldi Green Technologies Pvt Ltd) was established in the

the effectiveness of the Quality Management System set up as per the ISO 9001:2015

year 2011 as a solar module manufacturing company. With a very humble beginning of

standard.

10MW capacity, the company kept on the expansion on year-on-year basis. Goldi stands

Goldi’s product range is qualified with following applicable national & international

at 500MW production capacity now. Company diversified into EPC business successfully in 2016 and having 2000+ customers as of now. Goldi Solar is promoted by members of the Dholakia family.

Goldi Solar Pvt. Ltd. is one of the leading solar PV module manufacturing and EPC Services

standards: � BIS � IEC 61215

companies. We are on the mission to protect our environment for generations to come,

� IEC 61730-1 & 2

by way of contributing in manufacturing. We make world class, quality products which can

� IEC 62716

sustain for desired long life.

� IEC 61853-1

Strategy Vision Statement Goldi Solar wishes to establish itself as a top-quality module manufacturer competing with international brands. Goldi aims to diversify into EV Charging infrastructure 3-years down

� IEC 62804-1 � IEC 61701-Ed.2 � IEC 60068-2-68 � IEC 62759-1

the line and become an independent power producer in the same time-line.

� UL 1703

Mission Statement

Service Pledge

Goldi is currently standing at a manufacturing capacity of 500MW. Leading EPC players

Goldi pledges to deliver to its customers modules that exceeds their expectation of quality,

prefer Goldi brand of modules because of its stringent quality processes and unmatched

service, value and performance.

after-sales-support to even smallest of its clients. Envious internal benchmarks to take the success-ladder one step at a time.

Team & Management

Business Goals & Objectives

Organization Structure

To enhance the capacity in 1 year and successfully diversify in its growth and expansion

Goldi has departmentalized its works into – Sales & Marketing, Production, Quality Control

plans of next 3 years. In subsequent years, Goldi wishes to be known as a successful

& Audit, HR, F&A, Corporate Communications, PR, IT, Logistics, Productions Planning,

social enterprise with one-point focus on being an active contributor to sustainable

amongst others. Every department have its head and the hierarchical reporting of

development. Brand Goldi Solar to be respected world-wide as a company to work for,

employees happens. Implementation of SAP and Sales-App has smoothened the creases

products to be used for and strategy to be aimed for.

in the reporting issues and has increased efficiency.

Business Strategy

Organization Design

No mergers or acquisition are planned for the coming 3 years unless a great opportunity

The company’s structure is aligned with the future roadmap of Goldi. The company is

strikes matching Goldi’s diversification plans.

already geared up in terms of recruiting manpower for the upcoming expansion towards

Immediate plans are on the offing to become an independent power producer starting

1 GW capacity within a year. Similarly, as and when the milestones will be on horizon, the

with 25MW.

organization will be ready to gear for that challenge.

Diversification will be towards EV charging infrastructure and allied services.

Ownership Structure

Backward integration will see us into Solar cell manufacturing.

Goldi Solar is a PVT LTD company and major stake is controlled by Mr. Ishver Dholakiya

Horizontally Goldi is already into EPC services and would consolidate its position by

and Mr. Bharat Bhut. Both of them are promoter directors of the company.

spinning off the EPC division into a separate company.

Business Concept Major products include, � For on-grid applications: 1. Poly-crystalline modules: 72 cell and 60 cell variants 2. Mono-PERC modules: 72 cell and 60 cell variants 3. DuoApex: Half cut cell modules – Poly and Mono-PERC � For off-grid applications: 1. Complete range from 3Wp and above – 18 cells, 36 cells, 54 cells, 60 cells, 72 cells 2. Poly and Mono-PERC variants 3. Customized modules as per design requirements

Goldi is currently standing at a manufacturing capacity of 500MW. Leading EPC players prefer Goldi brand of modules because of its stringent quality processes and unmatched after-sales-support to even smallest of its clients. Envious internal benchmarks to take the success-ladder one step at a time.

Business Competitiveness We offer best in class modules at competitive prices. Our range includes but not limited to 18 cells, 36 cells, 54 cells, 60 cells, 66 cells, 72 cells, 144 half cut cells including customization as per design requirements. We offer inline as well as pre-dispatch inspection access to our customers and maintain complete transparency. Goldi’s USP is 99% achievement of targeted delivery timelines. It makes Goldi have an edge over competitors.

Our products come with 10 years product warranty and 25 years performance warranty backed by 55 years of legacy of our group. As an accessary, we offer performance insurance as well on request.

Quality Policy of The Company Goldi is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & OHSAS 18001:2007 certified company.

The policy of Goldi is to fully satisfy our customers supplying best quality solar modules on time. We are committed to complying with the requirements and continually improve

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MR. ISHVER DHOLAKIYA

MR. BHARAT BHUT

Managing Director

Director

Goldi Solar Pvt. Ltd.

Goldi Solar Pvt. Ltd.

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 70

Company News

L

S

ONGi Booked For Its HiMO4 Module With M6 (166mm) Wafers

unSource Energy Wins Global Environment Award 2019

LONGi booked over 2GW orders for its Hi-MO4 module with M6 (166mm) wafers, stresses

SunSource Energy, a leading provider of solar-based energy and storage solutions to

need for consistency in standards

commercial and industrial organizations, announced that it has won the Global Environment

“By end 2020, LONGi will upgrade its existing cell and module lines and transform them

Award 2019 under the Platinum category. This flagship award of Energy and Environment

for production with 166mm wafer. New lines - such as the 5GW monocrystalline cell line

Foundation was presented to SunSource Energy by Hon’ble Justice Swatanter Kumar

in Yinchuan - will be designed for the 166mm size from the start.” said Wang Yingge, Executive Assistant to the Chairman of LONGi Solar. “The order books for LONGi’s HiMO4 modules using M6 monocrystalline silicon wafers have exceeded 2GW. Large-scale

(Retd.), Former Judge, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and Former Chairman National Green Tribunal and Mr. Anil Razdan, Former Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Power,

production will commence the third quarter of 2019.”

at the 10th edition of the World Renewable Energy Technology Congress.

Silicon wafer accounts for 30%-40% of the cost of a solar module. Larger wafer size

The Global Environment Awards are conferred to organizations in recognition of

increase the area exposed to light, increasing power and reducing cost. The industry has

the brilliance and leadership demonstrated by them in promoting and practicing

been trending toward larger size silicon wafer. However, increased wafer size also increases

environmental sustainability. SunSource Energy, with its total portfolio of high quality

the weight of the module.

distributed solar projects, is expected to offset over 4,00,000 tons of carbon emission

“The 166mm wafer has reached the allowable limit of production equipment which is difficult to overcome. This would be the upper limit of the standard for a considerable period.” said Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director, Solar Energy Research Institute of

every year. The company is also among the first Indian Solar IPPs to have a proactive PV waste management policy.

Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Adarsh Das, Co-Founder and CEO, SunSource said “Climate

Since 2H-2018, the industry has continued to develop larger size wafers, leading to various

change is certainly one of the defining challenges that the humanity is facing today. Since

specifications. These different wafer sizes will lead to a mismatch in processes and standards

our inception in 2010, our focus has always been on building a business that delivers

in the supply chain, according to Li Zhenguo, President of LONGi Group. “If manufacturers

growth to the country in a sustainable way. This win is a testament to our efforts to

cannot reach an agreement on a size standard, it will restrict the development of the whole

transform the world’s energy systems to renewables.”

industry.” Li Zhenguo said.

Shen Wenzhong said: “Existing crystal drawing and slicing equipment are compatible with 166mm size silicon wafer. Production equipment for cell and module needs to be modified, though the costs are lower and easier to achieve. “Calculated by “flux”, cell and

Mr. Kushagra Nandan, Co-Founder and President, SunSource said “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award, which reflects our commitment to play a leading role in building clean energy infrastructure by building high quality clean distributed energy

module production line using 166mm wafer will increase capacity by 13% as compared

projects. We all are obligated to extend a better future to our next generation and we are

with the 156mm size”.

proud of the role we are playing in it”.

H

anergy Ranks 75 among Asia’s 500 Most Influential Brands

The list of Asia’s 500 Most Influential Brands was unveiled in Hong Kong by worldrenowned brand consultancy, World Brand Lab. Hanergy Mobile Energy Group Company, as the world’s leading thin-film power solution provider, ranked on the list for the 4th consecutive year, and this year surged 4 spots at 75th. Among 500 award-winning Asian brands from 22 countries, Hanergy is the only solar power company listed in Asia region.

For the heavyweight list, published annually since 2006, World Brand Lab evaluates brand value on three key indicators: market share, brand loyalty, and Asian leadership. While, State Grid, Tencent, Hanergy, and Haier topped the ranking among the 155 mainland Chinese companies that have made it to the list, other well-known Asian brands on the list this year include Sony, Toyota, Honda, and Samsung, etc.

Zhang Bin, Hanergy’s senior vice president attended the ceremony and said Hanergy will steadfastly promote the R&D and application of thin-film solar products. “We are honored to be the only solar power company ranked among Asia’s most recognized brands. Since our entry into thin-film solar power industry in 2009, we’ve invested more than 10 billion USD in R&D and global acquisitions. We have built eight R&D centers globally, and the products were applied to construction, civilian, aerospace, and transportation industries. By 2018, Hanergy has applied more than 10,200 patents worldwide, on average 30 applications daily. From certain perspectives, Hanergy could have become the world’s largest clean energy company.”

Following three consecutive years of income and revenue growth, Hanergy’s strong R&D capabilities and business developments have come to fruition. In the 2018 annual report, Hanergy posted a HK$ 21.25 billion revenue with a YoY growth of 246 percent. The company recorded a net profit of HK$ 5.193 billion.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 71 71

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Solar Power Is India’s Green Future In 2018, the solar power industry saw a 24% increase in its y-o-y capacity additions, while

The solar sector can accelerate its growth by focusing on manufacturing and supporting

hydropower saw 2% and wind energy saw a 10% increase). Although a majority of the

domestic solar panel manufacturing industry with sizeable investments. This will help India

solar capacity additions were dominated by Asia, new markets like Brazil, Saudi Arabia,

scale greater heights like China, which penetrated foreign markets by undercutting their

Egypt, Spain and Latin America saw considerable growth.

market prices. By working overtime on its solar panel manufacturing capacity, China was

The remarkable upsurge in private participation in the power sector in India and the

able to support its own solarisation, ring in revenues from exports and create jobs. India

government’s thrust on renewable energy is in sync with the country’s solar overdrive

needs to follow a similar roadmap.

in pursuit of the 100-GW target for solar projects, there are impeding issues like tender

We need to pick up on the domestic manufacturing front. Various efforts by the Solar

cancellations of mega projects. China’s policy shift, feed-in-tariff cut in Japan, and policies

Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to attract bids for the development of the inter-state

levying of taxes and duties on solar energy industry in India limited solar sector growth in

transmission system for solar power evacuation have gone in vain. Solar power generation

2018, but the solar sector is expected to bounce back in 2019.

has to be in sync with the growth in transmission capacities owing to evacuation challenges,

With the tender process picking up pace in FY 2019-20, we have a lot to look forward to

otherwise we may be in for a slowdown.

this year. Pursuing a 40-GW target, the government is also all set to give a big push to the

Though rooftop solar is the fastest growing renewable energy segment in India, the

rooftop segment through favourable policies like net metering.

installation capacities must rapidly increase if the nation is to meet its ambitious renewable

Solar Power is India’s Green Future as it presents a great opportunity to phase out fossil

energy target by 2022. Conducive policies, financial support and consumer awareness

fuel and its growing expenses while transforming the country with industrial, social, and

should form our focus of attention.

economic growth. The future of solar energy in India largely depends on achieving the

Around 70 per cent of the market growth in rooftop solar is driven by commercial and

ambitious solar power generation target of 100 GW by 2022. With the cumulative solar

industrial consumers. The residential segment is lagging owing to lack of policy initiatives.

capacity going up to 36.36 GW, as on June 30, 2019, the market sentiment is upbeat

The 20-40 per cent financial subsidy for new residential rooftop solar installations should

because of the record number of installations.

accelerate the pace of growth. But India needs a more comprehensive approach in order

We believe that by 2030, India’s solar industry is poised to grow phenomenally. The country

to achieve the 2022 target.

will need $250 bn in green energy funds from 2023 to 2030. Investment opportunity

The industry needs to be steered in the right direction to take us closer to the 100-GW

for over $30 bn per year is expected to come up in the next decade, according to the

goal. We need integrated energy planning, favourable policies and investments across the

Economic Survey.

value chain. Release of RTC tenders and incentives for OA charges are critical. RTC supply

Significantly, India is running the world’s largest renewable energy programme. Solar

is one alternative to ensure predictability in supply, thereby ensuring grid stability and

power generatio holds the key to the unprecedented growth India needs to register to get

offtake guarantee by discoms under all circumstances.

to the magic figure of 100 GW. Fuelling the ever-growing needs of practically all the other

While on one hand we need to promote solar projects based on domestic manufacturing

key sectors, the power sector forms the backbone of our rapidly expanding economy.

capacities to make ourselves self-sufficient, the Central and state governments should take

Since sustainability is at the heart of all development efforts directed towards building a

care not to put the auction process on hold in the expectation of a further drop in prices.

New India, the country is aiming at increasing the share of renewables in the total installed

We also direly need a universal anti-dumping policy and incentives to instill confidence in

power capacity to 50% by 2030 with a major chunk coming from solar energy. This is in

Indian companies. Investing in domestic manufacturing can help build the supply chain,

tune with another dimension of Vision 2030 which foresees India as a pollution-free nation

control prices and earn foreign exchange through exports. It will also create jobs, enhance

with green environs and blue skies. Renewable sources in general and solar power in

the country’s GDP and correct the adverse balance of payments.

particular can make all the difference here as a major source of energy supply.

India should leverage its position in the 121-nation International Solar Alliance by

It is pertinent to mention here that about 40 per cent of the power capacity installed in

assuming a leadership role to make way for greater growth through favourable policies

India this year is solar. All-out efforts at transforming the energy mix are under way. In

and coordinated efforts. As a global solar superpower in the making, we ought tp wrest

the Indian solar market, almost every passing tender has promised to deliver cheaper

this initiative. With a proactive approach driven by all these factors, India’s solar Power will

electricity. The solar industry is entering a period of cost efficiency, thanks to advances in

usher a green and sustainable future.

technology and competitive bidding. Solar power tariffs in India have plunged to a record low of Rs 2.44 per unit, which will push demand in a big way.

The solar industry has witnessed rapid growth in the last few years and is expected to grow even more in coming years. To encourage the shift from environmentally detrimental sources of energy to cleaner alternatives, the government has been playing an active role by introducing several incentives, such as GBIs, capital and interest subsidies, which are likely to reduce the dependency on conventional energy and increase adoption of solar

One of the biggest advantages of solar power is the ability to avoid the politics and price volatility that is increasingly characterising

power.

fossil fuel markets. While the prices of fossil

These measures involve setting up several small solar projects on barren land and introducing solar water pumps.

fuels have increased, the per watt price

To further encourage the adoption of solar power, a slew of welcome initiatives have

of solar energy production has more than

been recently introduced by the government, which have been welcomed across the industry. This includes the imposition of BIS standards on solar imports, besides ensuring adherence to the quality of products instead of mere price benefits. Another welcome step in the concept note released by the MNRE proposes the development of 10 GW of manufacturing capacity over a period of five years, which focuses on both poly-silicon and wafer manufacturing to create integrated silica-to-modules packages and intermediate standalone packages or combinations.

halved in the past few years, and is set to become even cheaper in the near future as better technology and economies of scale come into effect.

One of the biggest advantages of solar power is the ability to avoid the politics and price volatility that is increasingly characterising fossil fuel markets. While the prices of fossil fuels have increased, the per watt price of solar energy production has more than halved in the past few years, and is set to become even cheaper in the near future as better technology and economies of scale come into effect. The first benefit of using solar panels to generate electricity is that they do not produce any environmentally detrimental greenhouse gases.

Renewables account for a sizeable share of the power capacity additions, highlighting the significant investment flowing into the solar sector in particular. No wonder, India has emerged as the third largest solar market globally. But we still have a long way to go to become a global solar superpower like China and US. To achieve the target, India needs heavy investment in coming years. A major part of it has to be raised within the country, as the renewable sector could so far only attract a foreign direct investment (FDI) worth $7.5 billion in the last 18 years (2000-2018), according to a report by the India Brand Equity Foundation.

w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m

MR. SIMARPREET SINGH

Director, Strategy, Hartek Group, and Founder-Director, Hartek Solar Pvt Ltd

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 72

Perspective

Module Technology Trends For 2020 Mr. Vineet Tyagi, Head- Marketing & Sales, Insolation Energy Pvt. Ltd. Solar PV has become a highly competitive energy source. Now

Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) solar cell technology brings 1.0-1.5 % points

that the solar has become the lowest cost power technology

efficiency improvements with little more cost for additional production equipment,

in many regions, how to cut cost even further is a big question

the bulk of crystalline silicon cell equipment investment is mostly being spent on

now. Module manufacturers continue to look for innovative

PERC these days. An even higher efficiency potential is offered by Heterojunction

ways to reduce their costs by adopting technology up

technology (HJT), which holds the overall cell record for silicon solar cells. HJT has

gradations and are increasingly focused on improving their cell-to-module conversion

several advantages having low temperature coefficient, the highest bifaciality of all

rate.

cell technologies and much less production steps, but it requires investment in a

Improvements in module performance are not only important to lower the cost of

completely new line.

panels on a per watt basis, but they also contribute to lower balance-of-system (BOS)

Modules Bifacial – back & front, will also help bring down LCOEs of solar power plants.

costs. More powerful modules lead to fewer required modules for a given system

This results in power gains between 10 and 30%, depending on solar cell technology

size, so fewer BOS components are required, which ultimately helps drive down the

used, location and system design

levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the entire system.

Some of the technology changeover in the near future includes introduction of Mono PERC Modules resulting in the power gain of almost 20 % over multi crystalline modules.

Most companies are now also starting production of half-cell monocrystalline modules (both p-type and PERC) and modules with more busbars, which can increase module output by 10-15 W without incurring higher production costs on a per-watt basis

Mr. Parag Yelegaonkar, Manager ID / Project Sales, Testo India Private Limited Photovoltaic systems are an important contribution to the

the location of bad wiring. Thermal images can also ensure that live components do

energy transition, and to a sustainable handling of resources

not overheat, and cooling systems are working properly.

– in recent years, driven by state subsidies, numerous smaller

Thermal imagers from Testo model nos.872,882 and 885 are specially designed for

and larger photovoltaic systems have been installed in many states in India. After the boom phase, the maintenance of existing plants in particular is gaining in significance. Thermal imagers – ideal tools for the inspection of photovoltaic plants. Even a small technical defect is sufficient to have a considerably negative effect on the solar yield – and therefore the economic viability

solar thermography requirements. They allow solar engineers to offer their customers a valuable after-sales service, while plant operators obtain a reliable statement on the status of their solar plants.

Solar thermography: Overview of applications and benefits

of a photovoltaic plant. The causes are various: Carelessness during installation,

� Early identification of faults, avoidance of yield loss

degeneration of the laminates or slow damage due to years of UV radiation and

� Increasing operational safety, prevention of fire danger

weathering. The use of a thermal imager helps to determine the causes of error quickly

� Fast, safe inspections

and reliably, and to eliminate them. At the forefront of a thermographic analysis is the identification of hotspots, which not only cause yield losses, but also represent areas of danger. This also plays an important role when it comes to the issue of warranty claims.

Imager tests are furthermore carried out on electrical distributors, in order to detect

� Identification of hotspots, bypass diode failures, modules at open circuit, short circuits, delamination, cell rupture, corroded and loose contacts, overheated connection sockets � Creation of added value for solar engineers and plant operators

Mr. Pravin Mali, Country Head, SUMEC Energy Holdings Co. Ltd. India 2020 PV Market has double requirement than 2019.

Indian Module manufacturing company can not fulfil the desired capacity. However scarcity of polysilicon and Solar Cell production will increase the gap of supply V/S demand.

Besides global demand of Mono Crystalline is increasing and China PV Manufacturers inclined toward Mono. Hence Production on Mono Crystalline, Half Cut Mono, Double Glass Mono and Bifacial is increasing globally precisely in China. Which results in reduction of price gap between Poly V/S Mono and it provoke Indian Developers to use Mono PERC products. To resolve land constraint issues and reduce BOS cost Indian Buyer will attract towards Mono PERC. We can conclude Mono PERC is Future.

India 2020 PV Market has double requirement than 2019. Indian Module manufacturing company can not fulfil the desired capacity.

However scarcity of polysilicon and Solar Cell production will increase the gap of supply V/S demand

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Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 73 Solar 73

Product Feature

Tbea Showcase Highest Capacity 1500V Central & String Inverter TBEA Xi’an Electric Technology Co., Ltd. TBEA Xi’an Electric Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise affiliated to TBEA Group that specializes in R&D of core equipments and delivery of rich technical solutions in photovoltaic power generation, flexible AC/DC transmission, smart micro-grid field, etc.

The Company mainly produces photovoltaic inverters, high-voltage SVGs, energy routers and flexible DC transmission equipments, and is dedicated to the exploration of energy internet technologies to provide the world with better and more efficient clean energy.

Since its establishment in 2000, the Company has always been developing based on technological innovation, and has established a world-leading energy internet and power electronics laboratory, built a professional R&D team with more than 300 people led by overseas experts, including doctors and masters, set up 2 R&D centers in Xi’an and Munich, Germany. The Company has successively undertaken more than 10 major scientific research projects such as the National 863 Program and Science and Technology Support Program, presided over the drafting of many national standards and won more than 300 patents of various kinds. It was awarded a number of honors such as “National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory”, “National Postdoctoral Scientific Research Workstation”, “National Patent and Innovative Pilot Enterprise”, and was one of the few enterprises in the industry that mastered a number of independently developed core technologies.

In the field of smart photovoltaic power generation, after 18 years of unremitting efforts, the Company has led the industry concept and technology direction of photovoltaic power

In the field of smart micro-grid, the Company has developed a “double-end, three-tier

generation, and independently developed a full range of 3kW-5000kW gird-connected

and multi-scenario” smart micro-grid solution with the electric energy router as high-

inverters, and launched a one-stop smart photovoltaic power station solution which can be

end technology guidance and key products such as micro-grid cloud platform, energy

applied in various environments such as large-scale ground, water, complex mountainous

management system and modular energy storage system as core support. Among

terrain and rooftops. The Company’s products have been used in 1000 centralized and distributed photovoltaic power stations, with business in more than 20 countries on four continents. The cumulative global operating performance has exceeded 20 GW. TBEA Product available in India : 1500V 205kW Multi MPPT String Inverter 1000V/1500V 1250kW Central Inverter 1000V/1500V 2500kW Central Inverter 1000V/1500V 3750kW Central Inverter 1000V/1500V 5000kW Central Inverter In the field of flexible DC transmission, the Company has successfully developed a range of flexible DC products from ±10kV to ±800kV, of which the world’s first “±800kV/5000MW flexible DC power transmission system converter valve” has main performance index at the international leading level, and achieved the latching-free flexible DC through-fault control technique. The flexible DC transmission products can provide complete system solutions

them, the world’s first set of 10kV/1MVA electric energy router has been researched and developed independently, and the main performance index are at the international advanced level and can be achieved to highly blend primary and secondary micro-grid equipment together, flexibly connected and dispatched “grid-source-load-storage”, and widely applied in the fields such as grid-connected generation of new energy, electric vehicle charging station, energy storage station and micro-grid.

In terms of smart operation and maintenance aspect, the Company has set up a smart energy cloud platform—“TB-eCloud” with photovoltaic and wind power capacity over 1GW based on advanced technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence with support of TBEA ecological chain advantages in power engineering, especially wind/photovoltaic system integration capabilities and smart electronic equipment development. The platform serves to provide system solutions for asset management and smart operation and maintenance of new energy stations, full life cycle

for long-distance high voltage transmission, asynchronous network interconnection,

of electronic equipments and energy management of the smart micro-grid.

distribution network DC transmission, offshore wind power transmission, etc.

In the future, TBEA Xi’an Electric Technology Co., Ltd. will inherit the development mission

In the field of power quality management, the Company has strived and developed a

of “dedicating to green energy and creating a better life” and focus on technical innovations

full range of high-voltage TSVG products of 3kV-35kV/1-120Mvar. With advanced control

related to smart photovoltaic power generation, high-efficiency power transmission and

system and strategy, the product adopts high-voltage chain topology, and provides system

smart micro-grid, and serve ten clean energy bases, ten thousand large-scale power

solutions for load-changing environments such as new energy power generation, steel,

stations and thousands of households. The Company aspires to be a global leading green

rail transportation, etc. So far, the cumulative application performance of TSVG products

smart energy solution provider.

exceeds 4Gvar.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 74

Perspective

What Are The Challenges Despite Incentives From Central And State Government For The Development Of Solar Rooftop Systems?

Mr. Tarun Singh, MD & CEO, Gosolgen Renewables Private Limited Solar Rooftops without any element of a doubt is an investment that can give the investor 20 to 30% return per annum.

The biggest hurdle to Solar Rooftops not gaining the popularity it should have is the upfront capital deployment. Drawing parallels to the housing and automobile sectors, Banks must come forward to fund Solar Rooftops projects in a big way. The government and the industry both must work with the banks to make this happen.

Easy credit will see a lot of people adopt Solar Rooftops including the Residential Sector.

With regards to the government incentives , I think the placement and utilization of these

incentives is wrong. I would request the government to heavily subsidize the system for customers who are small users of electricity and who get their electricity bills at a highly subsidized rates. For these kind of customers (monthly consumption is not more than 100 units of electricity) the government should subsidize the purchase by 90%, and take away the subsidy from the electricity tariff.

Affluent users of electricity should not be given any subsidy instead easy loan on the Rooftop System Purchase should be made available to them.

To sum it up, the adoption of Solar Rooftops is dependent on two key factors. 1. Proper utilization of subsidy money available with the government. 2. Easy Credit for Purchase of Solar Rooftop System.

Mrs. Radhika Choudary, Co-Founder & Director, Freyr Energy Services Pvt Ltd

The overall scenario of rooftop solar is summarized as follows.

The target by GOI for the solar rooftop segment—primarily residential, commercial and industrial sectors to generate their own power and depend less on the grid—is 40 GW by 2022.

However, reputed reports estimate that not more than a total of 8 GW will be generated by 2023.

There are a few pressing issues that hamper the growth of rooftop solar. In order to achieve the target, the rooftop segment has to double every year in terms of installations, however, it is growing at a meager 50-60%. There is a potential to increase this if the following issues are addressed: 1. While there are plenty of financial instruments to support development of utility scale

the key challenges still remains to be the upfront cost associated with investing in a solar system.

2. Secondly, constantly evolving state and central policies related to taxes, net metering, subsidy etc. creates uncertainty both for customers and financial institutions. This delays the decision-making process and results in a long sales cycle.

3. While in some states, there is a mandate for all new buildings or existing buildings with roof space over a certain size to install solar systems, it’s not being implemented/ enforced.

4. Customer awareness is still lacking, and it is something we address on a day-to-day basis. There needs to be a national grassroots movement to educate and engage

solar plants, no such instruments are available for rooftop solar customers. Most

with customers who are looking for information on solar and eager to contribute to

residential and MSME’s have to rely on their own funds to own a solar system. One of

sustainable practices.

Mr. K. Srinivas, Managing Partner, SolarBull Energy LLP

40GW target for Rooftop Solar by December 2022 still looks

a well-known fact that easy finance contributes to 60% of automobile sales. Low interest

gigantic considering that so far less 4500 MW has been installed

rate and easy EMI financing options if made available to residential & commercial

so far. The reasons for low offtake of rooftop solar include

customers would give a big boost to rooftop solar sales. Credit-A rated and above

constantly evolving central and state policies for subsidies and

industrial clients find easy finance. If credit enhancement facilities are available to sub-

taxes, multiple implementation agencies, Subsidy delays, lack of

BBB rated clients, then it would help SME as well as large industries to adopt solar,

financing and lack of consumer awareness.

increase their cost competitiveness.

In March 2019, Central Govt announced removal of Subsidy from 3 major sectors –

Uniformity of regulations across states, Removal of requirement of Electrical Inspectorate

Educational institutes, govt buildings and not-for-profit organisations. The Phase-

approval (CEIG) will go a long way in promoting rooftop solar and achieving 40 GW

II guidelines have just been released by MNRE for rooftop residential sector. If this

target.

transition has been announced 9-12 months in advance, Discoms would have got enough time to

ʎŔŜ˘ŔĬğÃŎ˘àĬĥŋÃĦž˘ŜĬ˘ĀêŜ˘¿ʧ'ʧ#ʧ˘àêŎŜĉƎàÃŜê

Railways

take over the mantle from the

PSUs

state nodal agencies and we

DISCOMs

could have prevented the slump

ʎŔŜ˘Ŝĉĥê˘ĉĦ˘EĦæĉÃʧ˘ ¯< ˘ŋÃĦêğŔ˘ÃŜ˘E eʿ E ˘ÃŋŋŎĬŷêæ˘ʎʍʍʍ˘̜˘ʎʒʍʍ¯˘ŋÃĦêğŔ

in rooftop offtake for the past 4

Commercial

Govt.

months. The subsidy for rooftop projects completed upto April

Sectors

2019 is pending to be released to System Integrators for more

ʏʒʍʍ˘ ĬĬÿŜĬŋ˘ĉĦŔŜÃğğÃŜĉĬĦŔ Oil & Gas

Industries

than 3 months, putting undue burden on them. Delay in subsidy release on one hand and lack of

SNA

Airports

guidelines for residential solar

Institutions

for the past 4 months made the

ʏʍʍ˘^°ŋ˘ ŎĬæšàŜĉĬĦ˘ğĉĦê

ʔʍʍʍ˘ ĬğÃŎ˘°ÃŜêŎ˘ šĥŋĉĦĀ˘ŔžŔŜêĥ˘ĉĦŔŜÃğğÃŜĉĬĦŔ 'ŽŋĬŎŜŔ˘ŜĬ˘ʎʒ˸˘àĬšĦŜŎĉêŔ ğğ˘ŜĆêŔê˘šĦæêŎ˘E e˘ʖĜʪ˘ʎʑĜʪ˘ʎʕĜ˘̜˘ʒʍʍʍʎʩʏʍʎʎ˘

situation even worse. While Govt regulations stipulate Corporates to ensure payments to MSME’s within

1500 V Panels

45 days, the Govt departments escape any such rules Lack

of

customised

financing

options is another reason for lower off-take of rooftop solar. It is

Mono PERC

w w w w w .. ss oo ll aa rr qq uu aa rr tt ee rr .. cc oo m m w

P.V.G.U Panels

Bi-Facial Panels

B.I.P.V.

Flexible Panels

Head Office : Gandhinagar, Gujarat Manufacturing Plant : Linch, Mehsana, Gujarat Poly / Mono Crystalline marketing@topsunenergy.com; www.topsunenergy.com

Solar Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 75

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Mono Vs Poly – An Introspective Simulation Study! – Part 3 While the previous two parts of the article “Mono vs Poly – An introspective simulation study! – Part 1 & Part 2” introduced the types of crystalline technology, the need for this study, the methodology of study and detailed technical results of all climatic zones, this part would present a financial analysis of both the plants and educate its readers on the key takeaways from the study.

Figure 3: Savings realized while utilizing mono crystalline technology over the plant lifetime

Figure 1: Division of climatic zones in India (Source: IIT Bombay)

Financial analysis With the energy sources around the world constantly increasing, it is important for a source to be commercially viable and give back good returns to ensure its widespread uptake. In such situations, only proving a source’s technical superiority may just not be enough. An in-depth financial analysis and its gains need to be identified in detail. The initial cost break up of a solar power plant is well known and is well represented by various bodies. In such break up, the solar modules constitute more than 50% of the cost, whereas the BoS accounts for around 35% of the cost. The civil works and other costs constitute merely 13% of the cost. While the number stands true, the comparison between mono and poly crystalline technology paints a different picture.

The study presented two different scenarios; the financial analysis however is calculated on per MW basis to fairly evaluate the technology. Firstly, the fact that the initial cost of mono crystalline technology is more cannot be argued upon. This leads to a sharp increase in the module’s initial price i.e. ~21% higher than poly crystalline technology. However, now with the changing dynamics in the PV market of the world and with the world demanding higher energy from the same module size, the prices of mono crystalline PV modules are deemed to fall down drastically. It is an already known fact that mono crystalline module (of similar sizes) are usually at 1~2% higher efficient than the poly crystalline modules. This efficiency advantage leads to a direct 12% reduction in number of solar modules required per MW of power plant when utilizing mono crystalline technology. Further, considering a standard double racking design in a power plant, the cost savings in module mounting structure installed in a mono crystalline modules is 0.25% (when compared to a poly crystalline module based plant). Considering the land requirement, significant savings could be clearly realized in a mono crystalline based power plant. Considering central inverter in both the cases, we find that a mono based power plant could use 31% less land (and hence 31% less cost) compared to poly crystalline module based plant.

While designing a power plant, adequate care needs to be taken to ensure that the electrical losses are minimal and/or within the tolerance limits. One of the easiest yet important parameter to optimize is the DC voltage drop in cables. The drop depends primarily on the internal resistance of the cable which is further governed by the length and the cross sectional area of the cable. With an increase in number of modules to be utilized in a poly crystalline technology based power plant, the length of the cable increases which directly increases the internal resistance of the wire. In order to mitigate such losses, the cross sectional area of the cable needs to be increases. Both increase in length and area acts as a double whammy increasing the cabling cost of module by around 10.50% when compared to mono crystalline based power plant. Operation & maintenance (O&M) plays a significant role in any power plant if it is to run smoothly and perform as expected.

Considering the case of a solar power plant, as a rule of thumb O&M cost is considered only to be around 1% annually of the plant’s total cost. However with the need to clean & maintain more modules, AJB’s and other DC spares in a poly crystalline based power plant its cost raises significantly. It was found that in a mono crystalline based power plant, a savings in O&M cost to the tune of 38% could be realized (refer Figure 2).

Figure 2: Difference in investments incurred per MW during the life time of the power plant

With both the incurred cost and energy generated in the favour of mono crystalline technology, it should be clear by now that mono crystalline technology which looks expensive, is actually profitable in the longer run. For the purpose of study, savings across each and every climatic zone was calculated. Hot & dry zone which is expected to have enhanced savings due to temperature loss is expected to realize 9.54% of savings by utilizing mono crystalline technology. Followed to this is the moderate climatic zone at 9.49% which due to lower ambient temperatures (around the year) are expected to generate adequate energy. This is followed by composite zone at 9.37% and warm & humid zone at 9.12% which due to higher ambient temperatures experience modest savings in the northern and few north eastern parts of India, the savings for both cold & sunny and cold & cloudy are around 9%, which could again be attributed to lower ambient temperatures.

Table 1: Advantages realized when utilizing mono crystalline technology - Power plant based on fixed area Power plant based on fixed area – Advantages of mono crystalline technology Climatic zones

Generation gain (in kWh)

Sp. Yield boost (in kWh/kWp/day)

Gain in temperature loss (in kWh/kWp)

Performance Ratio boost (in %)

Hot & Dry

52,080

0.19

1.11

3.09%

Warm & humid

45,508

0.16

0.84

2.95%

Moderate

50,621

0.18

1.00

3.03%

Composite

48,484

0.17

1.00

3.08%

Cold & cloudy

41,325

0.14

0.62

2.93%

Cold & sunny

48,289

0.17

0.80

3.10%

Table 2: Advantages realized when utilizing mono crystalline technology - Power plant based on fixed capacity Power plant based on fixed area – Advantages of mono crystalline technology Climatic zones

Generation gain (in kWh)

Sp. Yield boost (in kWh/kWp/day)

Gain in temperature loss (in kWh/kWp)

Performance Ratio boost (in %)

Hot & Dry

13,775

0.04

12,344

0.80%

Warm & humid

10,288

0.03

9,254

0.50%

Moderate

13,370

0.03

11,078

0.60%

Composite

12,335

0.03

10,805

0.57%

Cold & cloudy

8,822

0.02

6,999

0.50%

Cold & sunny

9,898

0.03

8,946

0.45%

Conclusion Mono crystalline versus poly crystalline has been one of the hot topics of discussion amongst various stakeholders at different platforms. While there has been lot of information available on the matter, a complete guide seems always missing. Further with the clear trends of the PV market tilting towards mono crystalline technology, the adoptability of PV modules in the Indian market is still primarily based on cost. It was hence necessary to evaluate the technology fully till its end of life and further carry out both technical and commercial analysis for a clear understanding. The following were the results obtained from the study (refer Table 1 & Table 2 for details): � Utilizing mono crystalline module enable efficient utilization of land by generating 41 MWh to 52 MWh more per fixed area (1000m2). This further converts to 8 MWh/MWp to 14 MWh/MWp more energy injected into the grid annually. � A boost in performance ratio (PR) of 3.0% (average) is found when utilizing mono crystalline technology in power plant with limited area availability. Utilizing the power plant with fixed capacity, mono crystalline technology was able to deliver a PR boost from 0.40 to 0.80% � Mono crystalline technology has a better performance at location with enhanced ambient temperatures and hence acts as a perfect match for countries like India which lie between the tropics. � Utilizing mono crystalline modules would enable savings in total investment over the plant’s life time to the tune of 8.94% to 9.54% annually. � Implementing mono crystalline module to have ROI reduced between 0.5~2 years considering economies of scale Let us all pledge to make solar energy the primary source of energy in the near future.

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MR. SUNIL RATHI Director- Sales & Marketing Waaree Energies ltd

Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 76

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Floating Solar - Market opportunities There are more than 400,000 square kilometers (km2 ) of man-made reservoirs in the world (Shiklomanov 1993), suggesting that floating solar has a theoretical potential on a terawatt scale, purely from the perspective of the available surface area. The most conservative estimate of floating solar’s overall global potential based on available man-made water surfaces exceeds 400 GWp, which is equal to the 2017 cumulative installed PV capacity globally. Considering global irradiance data on significant water bodies, and assuming 1 percent to 10 percent of their total surface area as used for floating solar deployment,

The experience of other technologies operating in aquatic environments, including near-shore environments, offers good lessons in the last of these areas.

an estimate of potential peak capacity was derived using the efficiency levels of currently available PV modules and the surface area needed for their installation, operation, and maintenance. Then, to estimate potential electricity generation, the capacity estimate was multiplied by the expected specific energy yield, with local irradiance used alongside a conservative assumption of an 80 percent performance ratio. These estimates use a very low ratio of coverage of the reservoir. In reality, many existing projects implemented on industrial or irrigation reservoirs cover much more significant portions of the reservoirs, after environmental studies confirm no expected impact on the aquatic life in the reservoirs.

The situation from one reservoir to another can differ significantly.

There are individual dams on each continent that could theoretically accommodate hundreds of megawatts or, in some cases, gigawatts of floating solar installations. While hydropower and solar capacity do not provide the same type of power production (solar typically has a lower capacity factor and generates variable power), the table compares the

The priority over the next few years should be to carry out strategic deployments of floating solar at sites where it is already economic, while applying the “precautionary principle” when it comes to possible environmental or social impacts. This may include initial limits

surface needed for a PV plant having the same peak capacity as the hydropower reservoir.

on the portion of the water surface that is

Challenges

covered and efforts to avoid installations

While enough large-scale projects have been implemented to permit floating solar

in the littoral zone near shore, where plant

technology to be considered commercially viable, there are remaining challenges to its deployment—among them the lack of a robust track record; uncertainty surrounding

and animal life may be more abundant.

costs; uncertainty about predicting environmental impact; and the technical complexity of designing, building, and operating on and in water (especially electrical safety, anchoring and mooring issues, and operation and maintenance). The experience of other

Where Sun Meets Water: Floating Solar Market Report - The World Bank

technologies operating in aquatic environments, including near-shore environments, offers good lessons in the last of these areas.

Conclusions and next steps The deployment of floating solar looks set to accelerate as the technologies mature, opening up a new frontier in the global expansion of renewable energy and bringing opportunities to a wide range of countries and markets. With a global potential of 400 GW under very conservative assumptions, floating solar could double the existing installed capacity of solar PV but without the land acquisition that is required for ground-mounted installations. At some large hydropower plants, covering just 3-4% of the reservoir with floating solar could double the installed capacity, potentially allowing water resources to be more strategically managed by utilizing the solar output during the day. Additionally, combining the dispatch of solar and hydropower could be used to smooth the variability of the solar output, while making better use of existing transmission assets, and this could be particularly beneficial in countries where grids are weak.

When combined with other demonstrated benefits such as higher energy yield, reduced evaporation, and improved water quality, floating solar is likely to be an attractive option for many countries. Although the market is still nascent, there are a sufficient number of experienced suppliers to structure a competitive tender and get a commercial project financed and constructed, and the additional costs appear to be low and are falling rapidly.

The priority over the next few years should be to carry out strategic deployments of floating solar at sites where it is already economic, while applying the “precautionary principle” when it comes to possible environmental or social impacts. This may include initial limits on the portion of the water surface that is covered and efforts to avoid installations in the littoral zone near shore, where plant and animal life may be more abundant. In addition, development of the constituent technologies and knowledge of positive and negative impacts will be greatly enhanced if early installations are diligently monitored, which will entail some public expenditure. The need for monitoring, added to the possible additional capital costs of floating solar over those of ground-mounted systems, makes early installations in developing countries a strong candidate for concessional climate financing.

To support market development, an active dialogue among all stakeholders, public and private, is required to further global understanding of floating solar technologies and to spread lessons learned from early projects across a wider area. Through this market report and an upcoming handbook for practitioners, the World Bank Group and SERIS hope to contribute to this goal, and we look forward to working with governments, developers, and the research community to expand the market for floating solar by bringing down costs, supporting grid integration, maximizing ancillary benefits, and minimizing negative environmental or social impacts.

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Solar 77 Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 77

Perspective

LEADERSHIP TALK: Surviving In The Intense Indian Solar Sector Mr. A. K. Jain, Managing Director, RAJASTHAN ELECTRONICS & INSTRUMENTS LTD, JAIPUR India has made significant progress in creating capacity for

Focus on last mile connectivity in remote areas may be helpful to ensure power for

solar energy generation in the last few years and expanded its

all. Flexible financing options for individuals to install rooftop solar installations would

solar generation capacity eight times from 2,650 MW in May,

also support a faster adoption of clean energy. Adoption of EVs under FAME INDIA

2014 to over 20 GW in January 2018, and now 28.18 GW as on March 31, 2019. We are yet to do 72GW to achieve the targets under NSM until 2022 and there is a need to overlook the immense challenges due to

shall give boost to Storage Industry and ultimately make the Solar Power totally dependable.

which 600 million people are still deprived of access to electricity.

In rural areas, through KUSUM Scheme farmers are all set to become exporter of

Though unit costs of solar power have fallen, and solar energy has become increasingly

electricity and this will bring them in forefront while doubling their incomes.

competitive with other conventional sources of energy. However, in terms of

The need is to ensure clean, sustainable and dependable electricity 24*7 to the masses.

manufacturing of solar equipment, it is dominated by a handful number of countries.

Integration of Renewable with Electric Mobility and other technologies is the one that

India, in order to become a world leader in solar power, need to build end-to-end

can bring sustainability in all areas viz agriculture, transport, Industrial, Residential,

manufacturing capacity of crystal to module, structure and services.

With the increasing share of renewable in the Country’s energy mix, the need for efficient grid integration and robust transmission infrastructure is felt along with an immediate up-gradation to handle it.

Commercial, Railway, Telecom etc. The technology is changing very fast. Highefficiency solar technologies, efficient and economical mass storage solutions and electric mobility will completely revolutionize the way the world handles energy today.

Mr. Vikash Khansli, CEO, RockSun Solar Pvt. Ltd. The real Solar push for Solar came in India in January 2010, when National Solar Mission was launched on 11th January,2010 in Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi. Ironically, it was a cloudy Day and Sun was visible nowhere, still the day was a Sunrise day for the Solar sector in India.

So far, the journey has been exciting, from Rs. 18 Crores/MW EPC cost to Rs.4 Crore per MW, tariff of Rs. 18/kWh in 2010 to Rs. 2.44/Unit in 2018. We started with few developers and Solar EPC companies and now we have more than 400 Small and big developers, EPC companies, system integrators and service providers. The above-mentioned rise (and fall) in figures picturizes the intensity of solar sector in India and exciting journey it has gone through.

In the current scenario there is competition in the sector, whether in Project tariffs, EPC

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costs, module pricing and cutthroat competition with multiple players in scene. Well the key to survival, I believe is looking at opportunities, rather than challenges and position our-selves in market to serve and thrive in the opportunities.

Despite of all competition, We have still a huge energy market to cater, the India’s energy requirement is growing by more than 4% per annum, Solar already have achieved grid parity, in fact we are much more competitive than any other power form and Solar EPC cost in still in declining mode. Which means now, Solar sector will be competing now with its own self. A huge support in form of innovation in Battery storage and its declining costs, it will help Solar shed its tag of infirm power. And another good news is that EV sector is indicating huge rise in years to come, which will need EV charging stations, this opens a floodgate for opportunities for Solar in India. The stage is set for Solar companies to thrive (not just to survive).

Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 78 Solar 78

Mr. Manik Garg, Director, Saatvik Leadership Talk: Surviving In The Intense Indian Solar Sector Aldo Gucci once said “The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory”. This holds true for Indian solar industry today.

The battle of quality and price never ends well. It has been seen that this creates unhealthy competition, subsequently leading to bankruptcies and consolidations. If price and quality are maintained, your competition will not let you survive. If price is pressurized, it tears the quality such that your product/service issues in the field will drive you out of the market.

The causes for turmoil are multiple, which include supply demand mismatch, poor execution of government policies, non-cooperation of state DISCOMS, and extensive unnecessary compliances and certifications required to sell the product.

For instance, the use of BIS or ALMM is an additional cost burden on PV module manufacturers with no additional benefit. Developers, who have the ability to fulfill the demand supply gap would still require Tier 1 label, warranty insurances, bankability reports which come at additional cost.

Further Safeguard duty if at all, has only helped Indian tier 1 manufacturers. Otherwise, most of the projects during this time had duty pass on benefit. New tendering activity is very minimal, works for all of which will start after the safeguard duty tenure is over.

In this scenario, all industry participants, whether manufacturers or contractors, should just have the financial and risk appetite to hold strong, focus on quality products/services and wait for ‘Ache Din’.

Mr. S. Balaguru, Chief Technology Officer, Avant-Garde Avant-Garde is a three decade organisation ventured into Solar

clients; secondly our value proposition; thirdly to identify the client segments where we

since 2010 with cumulative solar portfolio of 2+ GW for 125+

can provide value-addition.

leading clients across globe on which about 1.5 GW of Projects are commissioned and in operation. We are privileged to mention that we worked on Nigeria’s first Solar-Battery-DG hybrid project; We are the consultants in Sri Lanka’s overall Ground mount projects till now; We worked on India’s biggest 125MW CSP Project commissioned in Rajasthan.

“Avant-Garde” the terminology itself meant for “New and Experimental ideas and methods”.

We at Avant-Garde with our professional cognizance provided / providing engineering

Our Engineering specialisation includes proper selection of technology for the project at optimal cost and ensuring the quality in place which provides a decent return of investment to the Owner. Our detailed engineering team ensures the Layout optimisation and hence the loss minimization and to achieve maximum generation for the selected site. Our value added engineering services always understands the operational constraints of the plant personnel and keeps the design operational friendly. Our design validation verifies the

services like Detailed Engineering, Design validation, Feasibility study, technology analysis,

detailed design and calculations to ensure the quality and the expenses in balance. Our

bankable reports, Due-diligence study, performance assessment, site management,

state- of-art PMC team ensures overall Schedule in control and does required escalations.

quality inspection, Health-Safety-Environment support, worked with categories like Roof

In a nut-shell Avant-Garde ensures the overall engineering responsibility on the project

Top, Carport, Dairy-farm shed, Ground mounted: Fixed-Seasonal- Tracker, CSP, BESS, Bi-

and provides our best services at all times with continual improvement and hence Survives

facial, pooling station etc., Avant-Garde ensures to understand firstly what drives value for

the this intense Indian Solar Sector for about a decade.

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 79

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

SOFARSOLAR G3 Better Customized For Residential Project

More than 20,0000 of households power plant are well operating in 60+ countries, inverters which produced by Sofarsolar won a good market reputation since 2014. Now in order to meet the demand of the market and give the customer a better experience, Sofarsolar launched the third generation of single phase inverter to the global market.

Sofar G3 is an ultra-small residential solar inverter which is specifically designed to bring comfort and quiet operation as well as high efficiency to households. Its capacity ranges from 1.1kW to 3.3kW and its most outstanding characteristic is its light weight, which is only 5.5kg that can help installer to reduce the install time and improve work efficiency. As well as its simple, elegant appearance makes better integrate into the home environment and improve the level of life. Remarkably, it offers 40% overloading of DC input and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maximum efficiency can up to 97.7%, which brings high harvest to user and help users shorten the return on investment cycle of power stations.

When users choose the Sofar G3 inverter for their power stations which communication options available on this inverter are both LAN & Wi-Fi, they will monitor their power stations in real time through android or apple phones and computer.

Zhong qizheng, vice president of Sofarsolar has released comments stating that Sofarsolar is currently one of the top 5 string inverter companies through China, it earned an important position in the field of energy storage inverter. As the G3 inverter of Sofarsolar launched in the global market, it marks that the new generation of Sofarsolar inverter officially enters the market stage. Sofarsolar believes that global users for home inverter has a more ideal, new choice by many core advantages.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarterâ&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘August August2019 2019 80

Product Feature

Use Of FRP / Fiberglass Products In Solar Industries AERON COMPOSITE PRIVATE LIMITED, head quartered in Ahmedabad, is leading manufacturer of FRP / Fiberglass products. We are very aggressive in promoting FRP products in Solar industry. We will be happy to provide assistance to Consultants, Developers, EPC Companies, Installers, etc to understand FRP material and its feasibilities to use in Solar industry. Reach us at vishal@aeroncomposite.com with copy to sales2@ aeroncomposite.com It is important to break the Myth! Many people consider that FRP / Fiberglass products are very expensive as compared to Conventional Materials (GI or HDGI). In some of the products, it is correct but if we consider the product life cycle cost then it is not. Let me share some advantages of FRP which can be important in considering requirements in Solar Industry.

Products offered in FRP/ Fiber glass material can be used for following applications in Solar industry 1. FRP / Fiberglass MMS for Ground Mount Projects

� 100 % Non-Corrosive

Very much suitable for ground mount projects in marine region or projects coming in dessert or projects in saline environment

Very promising in areas where water logging is the problem

� Electrically non conductive

� UV Protected

3. FRP / Fiberglass Walkways & Handrails for Roof top Projects 4. FRP / Fiberglass Cable Trays for Roof top Projects as well as Ground Mount Projects 5. FRP / Fiberglass Cable Clamps / Cleats for Roof top Projects as well as Ground Mount Projects

Pultrusion: It is very similar process to Extrusion (used for Aluminum extrusions). Principle of manufacturing differs in one way only. We pull the finished product from tooling hence it is called pultrusions. FRP / Fiberglass Pultruded profile is a result of the composite material which contains Glass Reinforcement and Resin Slurry. Glass plays prominent role of providing strength to product and Resin Slurry provides Corrosion, chemical and UV resistance to the product. Using Pultruded Profiles we can deliver MMS, Cable trays and Handrails Molded Gratings: It is very similar process to Casting. Glass Reinforcements are placed in X and Y direction of the cavity and then Resin Slurry filled in the Tooling. Complex process of removing for air pockets while keeping Glass reinforcement spacing intact is performed. Later product is cured by supplying hot water for designated time. Then Cold water is circulated for easing the hydraulic ejection process. Glass plays prominent role of providing strength to product and Resin Slurry provides Corrosion, chemical and UV resistance to the product. Using Molded Grating we can deliver FRP Walkway

Features of FRP Products

This is a big advantage as during high wind loads it will purlins will deflect but there will be no sign permanent deflections after high wind loads

� Life of material

As material is UV protected, Life of FRP can be considered more than 25 years

� Fire retardant

Technology Used :

Unlike thermoplastics, FRP is UV protected and suitable for all harsh environments

� Flexible as compared to Metal

2. FRP / Fiberglass MMS for Roof top Projects

Earthing requirements reduce in Ground Mount projects

Incase of any short circuit, FRP will not propagate fire. It has self-extinguishing property

� Zero Maintenance

FRP needs no maintenance due to properties like non corrosive and UV stabilised

No protective coatings are required

� Eco friendly Material (indirect)

Electricity consumed to manufacture FRP profile is very negligible as compared to manufacture metal profile

� Very easy to fabricate

It is very easy to fabricate (drill hole or cut profile) on site with hand tools

As standard, we supply material in pre-fabricated material but spare profiles can be used if required on site for fabrication with normal hand tools

� Light weight

Very important when project type is Roof Top

Saves indirect material handling cost

� Non penetrative installations

Non penetrative installation for rooftop MMS and walkway for rooftop possible

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Solar Solar Quarter Quarter •• August August 2019 2019 81

Perspective

WHAT INDIA NEEDS, To Become A Powerhouse In Solar Sector Manufacturing?

Mr. K.R. Harinarayan, Founder and CEO, U-Solar Clean Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

For India to become a powerhouse in solar sector manufacturing,

Government intervention/support, by way of subsidies or policies. They have to look into

let us first explore the supply chain of this sector. The four key

the parameters that support the manufacturing process of these key components, namely

steps in solar module manufacturing consist of the following:

cheap and reliable power supply along with availability of water, and include them in any

First is to manufacture the ingots, second are the wafers, third are

measures that are being developed to support domestic manufacturers. According to me,

the solar cells and fourth are the modules (which are by and large

if we could set up 10 GW of wafer or ingot manufacturing in India it could largely promote

an assembly process). In terms of investment of this manufacturing technology, it follows

the overall solar manufacturing sector.

an inverted trend. For modules the investment required is the least and there are thus plenty of module manufacturers in India, about 100 or so players ranging from large to small scale manufacturers. Then comes the solar cells, which is more expensive and there

As module manufacturing (the last step of the supply chain) in India is already at an advanced stage, the focus needs to be shifted on the earlier parts of the solar manufacturing supply chain.

are about 2-3 players in India. Lastly the wafers and ingots, which are the most expensive to manufacture are not made in India at all. Therefore, there exists a huge deficit in the solar manufacturing supply chain, due to very high investment in the last mile.

As module manufacturing (the last step of the supply chain) in India is already at an advanced stage, the focus needs to be shifted on the earlier parts of the solar manufacturing supply chain. Specifically our focus needs to be on wafer and ingot manufacturing. This will decrease the input cost and also set industry standards that will push the entire sector.

The only way to truly promote the domestic manufacture of wafers and ingots is through

Mr. Priyam Venkat, Co-founder, Longman Suntech Energy India has been at the forefront of the solar boom happening in

2) Solar Specific: Public procurement should make localized manufacturing as a qualifying

the world. From approx. 2 GW in 2014 to more than 20 GW solar

criterion for solar bids. This could be done in steps over the next few as domestic

capacity in 2019, India has added more than 8 times the capacity

players set up local capacities.

since 2014. India is also the founding member of the Global solar alliance. However, even with a focus on solar installation, solar manufacturing in India has not developed as rapidly. This has led to over-reliance on imports to meet the rising demands.

Most Indian companies are engaged in downstream low-tech manufacturing : Solar Wafer manufacturing and PV module assembly. For upstream hi-tech manufacturing such as silicon and silicon ingots production, we are still largely reliant on imports. For India to become a superpower in solar sector manufacturing, we will need to move up the manufacturing value chain.

Since the industrial revolution, almost all the economies which have transformed from emerging to developed, have witnessed a common theme. They have utilized the manufacturing sector as a means to achieve incredible economic development and value creation. For high population countries like India, I believe this theme is even more important. Also, currently India per capita power consumption is one-third of the developed world. This is expected to grow in the coming years.

Solar sector manufacturing will not only create much-needed jobs but will also help in meeting the ever-increasing power demand of our country. However, the special focus is required to incentivize this sector. The incentives can be broken down into two categories: 1) General (Which affect most manufacturing sectors): Subsidized land acquisition,

Since the industrial revolution, almost all the economies which have transformed from emerging to developed, have witnessed a common theme. They have utilized the manufacturing sector as a means to achieve incredible economic development and value creation. For high population countries like India, I believe this theme is even more important. Also, currently India per capita power consumption is one-third of the developed world.

Labor reforms, financial incentives, incentives of short- and long-term financing for manufactures, more schemes like TREDS.

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Solar Quarter â&#x20AC;˘ August 2019 82

Technology News

A

N

Close Look At Nature Could Lead To Cheaper Hydrogen

ew and strange properties’ provide a boost to energy storage

The scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a new class of liquid electrolyte which they say could greatly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors – used in some cases to improve performance and extend the lifetime of batteries.

The electrolyte is based on a class of materials known as ionic liquids, which MIT described as “essentially, liquid salts”. The scientists added a compound they said was similar to a surfactant that would be used to disperse an oil spill to the liquid, and found it brought about “new and strange properties” in the liquid which could have several applications for energy storage and other industries.

The researchers found the material’s energy density exceeded that of many other electrolytes and it remained highly viscous even at high temperatures, contributing to better safety and stability. T. Alan Hatton, professor of chemical engineering at MIT, explained that was thanks to the way the molecules assembled themselves in a highly ordered structure as they came into contact with another material, such as an electrode.

The ordered structure, according to MIT, helped prevent an issue known as overscreening, where a more scattered distribution of ions at the electrode surface, or a thicker ion multilayer, negatively affects energy storage efficiency.

Likely applications for the technology include high-temperature energy storage, with the researchers pointing out their electrolyte performed even better at high temperatures and was safer and less flammable than others used in lithium batteries as well as in supercapacitors. The researchers speculated their electrolyte could increase energy density four or five times, potentially even allowing it to replace batteries in electric vehicles, stationary storage and consumer electronics.

The team will now work on other compounds that fit into the new class of materials, which they are calling surface active ionic liquids – SAILs.

The ability to cleanly produce hydrogen by splitting water is a key technology for the energy transition, and thus an important area for scientific research.

Many of the processes moving toward commercialization use renewable electricity to power a water splitting electrolyzer. Others, however, look to nature for inspiration, and aim to imitate the photosynthetic processes perfected by plants to bypass the electricity generation stage and create hydrogen directly from sunlight and water.

Scientists at the Australia National University (ANU) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Germany say they have identified a photosynthesis process that enables plants to split water. Their research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, describes using a technique called electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to create 3D images of the area where the reaction takes place. The scientists found allowing an enzyme space to “breathe” improved the efficiency of the process by preventing water from being inserted too early in the reaction cycle.

Concertina “Halfway through its reaction cycle the enzyme develops the ability to stretch like a concertina, which enables the orderly uptake of water to begin the splitting process,” said Maria Chrysina, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute. “Copying this process from nature would lead to new and improved renewable energy storage technologies.”

According to the researchers, without that process to regulate the uptake of water more reactive oxygen molecules can end up being released, hindering the splitting process.

ANU is in the process of installing a new electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy facility at its campus in Canberra which it says will enable further breakthroughs in a range of scientific fields.

U

sing machine learning and cheap satellite data to design rooftop solar power

The team from Clean Coalition using their power grid maps, guiding business areas with strategic solar+storage placement on a city level, taking into account Tesla’s 1,600+ superchargers, and everyone having solar+storage in their homes. At some percentage, within this super distributed network we will gain resiliency. To get there will take patience, and smart tools.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus, have built a software

OCTOBER 2019

tool, called DeepRoof, which they say has achieved a “true positive rate” of 91.1% in identifying a roof’s solar power potential, while using widely available (and cheap) satellite data from tools like Google Earth. Their goal in Deep Roof: a Data-Driven Approach For Solar Potential Estimation Using Rooftop Imagery, is to take a list of address (or GPS coordinates) from a contractor and hand back the solar power potential of those sites.

The group’s first step is Terrain Segmentation in which they determine – on a pixel level – whether there is a structure, shadows, or rooftops. The researchers noted that identifying objects in an image at a pixel-level, is referred to as semantic segmentation, and is a wellresearched computer vision problem in which recent “deep learning” approaches have outperformed previous vision based techniques.

Following this the software will then look at the individual shapes and directions these pieces face, in the Topology Estimation portion of the process. The researchers note that outlines of a building property can be easily gotten from OpenStreetMap, as well all the buildings within a specified area and their address information. Then, they combine that with real-estate datasets and Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines to provide reasonable estimate about the height and pitch of the roof.

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Solar SolarQuarter Quarter••August August2019 2019 83

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 84

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Solar Quarter • August 2019 85

INDUSTRY Industry Insights INSIGHTS

Opportunities For Urban Renewable Energy

Building on these multiple drivers, cities are advancing renewable energy as a means to

China, but they also were present in Berlin (Germany), Moscow (Russian Federation) and

provide urban services such as electricity, heating and cooling, and transport. They also

Tshwane (South Africa).

are developing cross-sectoral approaches, for example using urban waste and wastewater

While the direct linking of renewable electricity and EVs remains limited, examples do

streams as feedstocks to produce biogas, biomethane and other renewable energy

exist, particularly at the city level. In 2018, Santiago (Chile) commissioned a 100 MW solar

sources. In many cities, there is growing recognition of the opportunities that exist in

PV park to supply more than half the electricity demand of its underground rapid transit

increasing the use of local renewables, driving policy makers to adopt related targets and

system. In Melbourne (Australia), the city’s entire tram system of 410 cars is transitioning

support policies.

to solar power, supplied by electricity from a 35 MW solar PV plant slated for completion

With cost reductions in solar PV, wind power and other technologies, cities see increasing

in 2019. In India, trains of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation are being powered in part by

possibilities to invest in renewable power. By the end of 2018, at least 100 cities

off-site solar PV, while auxiliary services such as lighting and air conditioning are being

worldwide were reportedly sourcing 70% or more of their electricity from renewables –

powered by on-site rooftop solar.

including Auckland (New Zealand), Dares Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya) and Seattle (United States). More than 40 cities were already entirely powered by renewables, with the majority in Latin America, but also elsewhere such as the US cities of Burlington (Vermont),Georgetown (Texas) and Rock Port (Missouri), as well as Reykjavik (Iceland) and Shenzhen (China).

Urban district heating and cooling networks provide an opportunity for cities to integrate renewables into the heating and cooling sector. Munich (Germany) uses a geothermal system and rooftop solar thermal installations to fuel the local district heating system, and in Austria more than 2,100 municipal district heating systems use local biomass to provide heat as well as revenue opportunities for local farmers. In 2003, the US city of St. Paul (Minnesota) converted its district heating and cooling system from coal power to municipal wood waste, with 65 megawatts (MW) of heating capacity and 25 MW of power capacity.

In the transport sector, renewable energy provides an opportunity to decrease fuel expenses and local emissions, particularly for public transit fleets. Stockholm has used public procurement of transport services to move towards its goal of phasing out fossil fuels in the transport sector, resulting in a mix of alternatively fuelled vehicles in the city’s fleet, from biogas and biofuels to electric vehicles (EVs). Although electric mobility is not a renewable technology in and of itself, it opens up the opportunity for increased penetration of renewable electricity in the transport sector. In 2018, around 460,000 electric buses were

Urban district heating and cooling networks provide an opportunity for cities to integrate renewables into the heating and cooling sector. Munich (Germany) uses a geothermal system and rooftop solar thermal installations to fuel the local district heating system, and in Austria more than 2,100 municipal district heating systems use local biomass to provide heat as well as revenue opportunities for local farmers.47 In 2003, the US city of St. Paul (Minnesota) converted its district heating and cooling system from coal power to municipal wood waste, with 65 megawatts (MW) of heating capacity and 25 MW of power capacity.

operating in at least 300 cities worldwide. More than 98% of the buses were deployed in REN21: RENEWABLES 2019 GLOBAL STATUS REPORT

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