National Solar Mission from 20,000 MW by 2021-22 to 1,00,000 MW

[Hindustani78]

Centre may make solar systems mandatory on roof-tops - The Hindu
Updated: June 25, 2015 00:48 IST

The ‘Rooftop Solar Power plant’ installed at a house in Chennai. Photo: K. Pichumani

The Central government is likely to make it mandatory for buildings to install solar roof-top systems. The proposal is among the initiatives planned by the Government of India to support the massive solar capacity addition target (100 GW by 2022).

An official statement has indicated that there would be a proposal for amendment in building norms for mandatory provision of roof-top solar for new construction and 10 per cent renewable energy provision for end-customers under the new scheme of Ministry of Urban Development.

Generally, about 10 sq.m area is required to set up 1 kWp grid-connected roof-top solar system. The average cost of such system is around Rs.80 per watt. “This is still an idea that may or may not become a policy. But it is an interesting proposal,” says a report of Bridge to India, solar energy consulting firm.

“Mandatory roof-top solar is not new to India. Similar policies have earlier been formulated by the states of Haryana and Tamil Nadu,” it added.

Elaborating further, it pointed out that Tamil Nadu unveiled a solar policy three years ago under which large power consumers (with a connected load of above 11 kVA) were asked to meet a share of their power consumption from solar source.

However, a year later, this obligation was challenged by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers’ Association in court on grounds that there was already a general renewable energy obligation upon commercial consumers. The roof-top obligation was dismissed by the courts and the plan was aborted.

Haryana also made it mandatory for all buildings with an area of 500 sq. yards or more to install solar roof-top systems of a minimum size of 1 kW or 5 per cent of their power requirements, whichever is higher. The deadline for meeting the requirements is September 2015.

“In all likelihood, there will be large-scale non-compliance to this mandate. The primary reason for non-compliance is that other aspects of the policy are not being effectively implemented. Central and state government subsidies have been announced but they are not available. Net-metering exists on paper but the process for providing inter-connection has not yet been streamlined.

“In fact, hardly any permission has been provided for net-metering. Over and above these challenges, the short timelines provided for publicising and enforcing the mandates has created a situation where the public has not taken them seriously,” it stated.

 

[Hindustani78]

Solar panels atop irrigation canals to generate power
Vijesh Kamath Bengaluru: July 1, 2015, DHNS

The Water Resources Department will soon open up select stretches of irrigation channels in the State for installation of canal-top solar panels to generate power.
The move follows the success of a pilot project to generate one megawatt (MW) of power by installing solar panels atop the Almatti Right Bank Canal (ARBC) in Bagalkot district.

The department will extend the pilot project by inviting private players to instal solar panels on more stretches of the 67-km ARBC and also 250-km Narayanapura Left Bank Canal and its distributaries across Yadgir, Kalaburagi and Vijayapura districts.

The State government is also keen on generating on its own 10 MW of power under the scheme. Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) has been appointed the nodal agency for executing the project.

“We have written to the Centre on our keeness to generate 10 MW by installing solar panels on top of irrigation canals and the Ministry of Renewable Energy has given its go-ahead. The State will be provided subsidy of 30 per cent of the project cost by the Centre. Modalities of the project are being worked out. At the same time, we are planning to invite private players for their involvement in the project,” KBJNL director, Technical Sub-committee, Aravind Galagali, told Deccan Herald. Only modernised canal stretches have been identified for the project.


Pilot project
The pilot project of one MW in Bagalkot was awarded to Sunedison Energy India at a cost of Rs 10.45 crore. The project involved the installation of 3,280 solar panels on a stretch of 700 metres of ARBC. The panels fixed on steel structures across the canals measured 9.5 metres. DC power generated from the panels is fed into an inverter installed in a nearby inverter building. The inverter converts the DC power to AC power before being evacuated. The project was commissioned earlier this year and is evacuating one MW power to the nearby 110/11-kV Rampur substation.

Galagali said there were several advantages with regard to canal-top solar projects. Firstly, there is no land acquisition cost as land would have also been acquired for the canals.

Secondly, Galagali said, scientific studies have revealed that canal-top solar projects have 10 per cent higher efficiency in power generation than regular solar installations. The solar panels covering the canals prevent evaporation of water. Security provided to the canals double up as “watch and ward” for the canals, too, helping in curbing vandalism, illegal drawing of water and theft, Galagali said. India’s first canal-top solar project was commissioned in Gujarat in 2012 on the Narmada branch canal network.

 

[kadamba-warrior]

Solar panels atop irrigation canals to generate power
Vijesh Kamath Bengaluru: July 1, 2015, DHNS

The Water Resources Department will soon open up select stretches of irrigation channels in the State for installation of canal-top solar panels to generate power.
The move follows the success of a pilot project to generate one megawatt (MW) of power by installing solar panels atop the Almatti Right Bank Canal (ARBC) in Bagalkot district.

The department will extend the pilot project by inviting private players to instal solar panels on more stretches of the 67-km ARBC and also 250-km Narayanapura Left Bank Canal and its distributaries across Yadgir, Kalaburagi and Vijayapura districts.

The State government is also keen on generating on its own 10 MW of power under the scheme. Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL) has been appointed the nodal agency for executing the project.

“We have written to the Centre on our keeness to generate 10 MW by installing solar panels on top of irrigation canals and the Ministry of Renewable Energy has given its go-ahead. The State will be provided subsidy of 30 per cent of the project cost by the Centre. Modalities of the project are being worked out. At the same time, we are planning to invite private players for their involvement in the project,” KBJNL director, Technical Sub-committee, Aravind Galagali, told Deccan Herald. Only modernised canal stretches have been identified for the project.


Pilot project
The pilot project of one MW in Bagalkot was awarded to Sunedison Energy India at a cost of Rs 10.45 crore. The project involved the installation of 3,280 solar panels on a stretch of 700 metres of ARBC. The panels fixed on steel structures across the canals measured 9.5 metres. DC power generated from the panels is fed into an inverter installed in a nearby inverter building. The inverter converts the DC power to AC power before being evacuated. The project was commissioned earlier this year and is evacuating one MW power to the nearby 110/11-kV Rampur substation.

Galagali said there were several advantages with regard to canal-top solar projects. Firstly, there is no land acquisition cost as land would have also been acquired for the canals.

Secondly, Galagali said, scientific studies have revealed that canal-top solar projects have 10 per cent higher efficiency in power generation than regular solar installations. The solar panels covering the canals prevent evaporation of water. Security provided to the canals double up as “watch and ward” for the canals, too, helping in curbing vandalism, illegal drawing of water and theft, Galagali said. India’s first canal-top solar project was commissioned in Gujarat in 2012 on the Narmada branch canal network.

Canal top PV panels should be seriously pursued everywhere - irrespective of the cost!

I don't even care so much about the generated electricity as the water evaporation it prevents in the hot arid regions. Every drop of saved water is going to be much more valuable than the electricity itself.

 

[Hindustani78]

TN to get 1,000 MW more solar power soon - The Hindu
Updated: July 3, 2015 08:08 IST

By this year end, government expects to get 2,000 MW of solar power: Minister
Tamil Nadu’s ambitious plan to tap solar energy to narrow the power deficit in will get a boost with the government set to finalise deals assuring 1,000 MW solar energy by the end of this month.

Addressing an international conference and Exposition on Renewable Energy 2015, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Thursday, Electricity Minister Natham R. Viswanthan said that already deals for 1,000 MW were on (including the proposed 700-MW solar plant by Adani Group). Agreements for another 1,000 MW would be signed by July-end and by the end of this year the government expects to get 2,000 MW of solar power, he said.

State target
The State had set a target of 3,000 MW of solar power generation by 2015. At present, the installed capacity is 149 MW.

The State’s Energy secretary, Mr. Rajesh Lakhoni, suggested that every person who purchases a new air-conditioner buy 1KW of solar panel.

Explaining the statistics behind the idea, he said, “Tamil Nadu offers Rs. 20,000 subsidy per KW of solar roof top installation in addition to the 30 per cent Central subsidy. With an investment of about Rs. 60,000 on solar power, a household could save up to Rs. 10,000 per annum on power bill. It makes a lot of economic sense.”

CII suggestions
The CII gave seven suggestions to the industry to unleash the full potential of the sector like stricter enforcement ofRenewable energy Purchase Obligations across all States, either through amendment of Electricity Act or Indian Penal Code with penalty for non-compliance.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
07-July, 2015 14:29 IST
RE Target of 1,75,000 MW Should be Taken as Mission for Energy Security of Country: Shri Piyush Goyal

IREDA’s Loan Scheme for Rooftop Solar PV Power Projects Launched

Shri Piyush Goyal , Union Minister of State (IC) for Coal, Power and New and Renewable Energy has said that the target of generating 1,75,000 MW of Renewable energy ( RE) by 2022 should be taken as a mission for ensuring energy security of the country. While addressing the workshop on Grid Connected Solar Rooftop at Vigyan Bhawan today, Shri Goyal further said that Government of India is soliciting ideas and constructive criticism on all the renewable power projects and no amount of negative response can deter Ministry from its dream of achieving this target. India will soon lead the league of pioneer countries of the world in the field of renewable energy. The Minister assured all participants that the intricacies of each and every Renewable energy plan is well thought of in advance for achieving energy security for the nation. The Minister also launched IREDA’s loan scheme for Rooftop Solar PV Power Projects on the occasion. The scheme will provide loans at the interest rate of 9.9 to 10.75 % to the system aggregators and the developers.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha, Cabinet Secretary said that India has great potential for solar rooftop projects which has not been exploited fully at present. He informed that Government of India has set a target of 100,000 MW grid connected Solar Power in the country and out of this 40,000 MW has to come from Solar Rooftop systems. To achieve this, Shri Sinha said “We need policy & regulatory interventions. Both Ministries of Power and New and Renewable Energy are working together in these directions. He further added that state regulators have to fix the tariff for RE power which goes to grid. This is important factor in popularising RE programme , Shri Sinha added. Elaborating the several steps being taken by Power Ministry to promote RE , Shri Sinha stated that amendments in the Electricity Act to introduce Renewable Generation obligation is proposed along with raising of Renewable Power Obligation in the tariff policy. In additions, stringent penalties for violations are being proposed. Highlighting importance of evacuation of RE power, Shri Sinha suggested to the States to socialised cost of transmission within State to improve renewable capacity.

In his welcome address, Shri Upendra Tripathy , Secretary MNRE called upon the States/ Ministries /Departments to become partner in transition from Megawatts to Gigawatts . He said target of 175GW of Renewable Energy by 2022 which principally comprise 100GW of solar and out of this 40GW through Rooftop is very challenging and to achieve this needs everyone help. Highlighting the need of more capital required in RE sector , Shri Tripathy said that Ministry has got fund of Rs 5000 crore for rooftop which can be given in the form of interest subvention or 15 percent interest subsidy. He further stated that Ministry is also trying to get 2 billion dollars from World Bank and ADB towards rooftop projects which can be passed on to the banks to enable them to finance the projects on soft rates of interest to the agencies. Shri Tripathy also stated that the Ministry has got commitment of 1 million Euros from kfw and further negotiating with different agencies to get more capital for RE sector. He further told that according to small survey held by the Ministry, projects worth 1500 MW capacity can be placed on rooftops of government departments.

It was emphasized in the workshop that the Distribution Companies should implement regulations relating to net-metering/feed-in-tariff, grid connectivity and the metering arrangements and develop suitable and simple mechanism to promote the solar rooftops in the country. MNRE has provided the financial assistance of Rs. 1 crore to each Ministry of the Government of India to install minimum 1 MW solar plants on their roofs/lands and also in their associated Institutions. Some success cases, including Chandigarh Solar City and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), were presented in the workshop. A review of Government of India’s Solar Energy Programmes and sessions on other renewable energy technologies and programmes, including Small Hydro Power, Biomass Power, Bagasse Cogeneration, SADP, Wind Power, RPOs/RECs, Improved Cook Stoves, HRD, Biogas and Biofuels was also undertaken by the Ministry.

The Secretaries and other officials of Government of India including DMRC and the State Governments participated in the Workshop.

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal delivering the inaugural address, at the Workshop on Rooftop Solar Projects, in New Delhi on July 07, 2015. The Cabinet Secretary, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha is also seen.

The Cabinet Secretary, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha addressing at the Workshop on Rooftop Solar Projects, in New Delhi on July 07, 2015.

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Piyush Goyal launching the Rooftop Solar PV Power Projects, at the Workshop on Rooftop Solar Projects, in New Delhi on July 07, 2015. The Cabinet Secretary, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha, the Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shri Upendra Tripathy and the Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Anil Swarup are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Railways
07-July, 2015 17:08 IST
Under the use of Solar Energy Programme in Indian Railways, Two Railway Stations in Rajasthan Namely Aburoad and Bhilwara Station to be Illuminated with Solar Energy.

Indian Railways continues to take steps for increased use of environment friendly solar energy to supplement its energy needs. Under this programme, an important initiative has been taken today i.e. on 7.7.2015 by Ajmer Division of North Western Railway to illuminate its two Railway Stations namely ABUROAD & BHILWARA stations in Rajasthan with solar energy. In this connection Ajmer Division Railway office has signed an MOU with a Railway PSU namely CONCOR to set up the solar plant at Aburoad and Bhilwara station under CSR (corporate social responsibility). The MOU has been signed between the two organizations today i.e. on 7.7.15 at Delhi in the presence of Shri Naresh Salecha, DRM Ajmer Division and Board of Directors CONCOR. Officers of Railways & CONCOR were present on the occasion.

The funding of the solar project will be done by CONCOR under CSR (Corporate social responsibility) programme & solar plant will be set up by Ajmer Division. CONCOR will provide approx. Rs 100 lacs to Railway to set up the solar plant on both stations. It is the result of special efforts made by DRM Shri Naresh Salecha. Solar plants have already been installed & working at AJMER & UDAIPUR stations of Ajmer Division.

In this project, Railway will set up 40 KWP solar plant at Aburoad station and 40 KWP solar plants at Bhilwara station. The Solar plant will be maintained for 5 years under warranty scheme. The energy generated from it will provide continuous power supply to Railway platforms and the offices situated at the stations. After set up, the solar plant will not only ensure energy conservation, but will also help to keep the environment pollution free. The solar plant at both stations will produce 1, 50,000 units per year & railway will save Rs. 10, 50,000 per year. The codal life/estimated life of this project is 25 years. In this way Railways will save Rs. 2.5 cr. or more. Passengers of Aburoad and Bhilwara railway stations will be benefitted by this project.

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The DRM, Ajmer Division, Shri Naresh Salecha and the Director, CONCOR, Shri Yashwardhan exchanging the signed MoU to set up the solar plant at Aburoad and Bhilwara station, in New Delhi on July 07, 2015.