Solar power plants' output high, but varying widely

Solar thermal technology to get a boost in phase two of solar mission

Concentrated solar power (CSP) or solar thermal technology is to be given substantial allocation in the second phase of the national solar mission (2013-2017). This was revealed by the joint secretary in the ministry of new and renewable energy, Tarun Kapoor, at the third concentrated solar thermal power summit on March 14, organised in Gurgaon. He stated that detailed plans would be revealed in the next few months. At the same time he admonished the industry. "Companies can't always work for profit; sometimes they must work for a cause," he said.

‘Low solar energy tariff bids are sustainable’

What is Solairedirect all about? Interviewee:  Gaurav Sood

New regulations proposed for determining renewable energy tariff

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) recently went public with its proposed terms and conditions for determining electricity tariffs to be  paid to renewable energy power producers. A public hearing on the draft regulations was held in December last where stakeholders submitted their objections and suggestions. The regulations, which will replace the regulations that expire this year, will be valid for the next five years, starting April 1. 

National Solar Mission: bidders quote low tariff, bag projects

The way the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission is making progress, it is expected that solar energy will soon be as cheap as energy from conventional sources. At least, that is what emerged from the second batch of bidding under the National Solar Mission held on December 2 for 350 MW capacity. The lowest bid was for Rs7.49 per unit, which is 50 per cent lower than the benchmark tariff of Rs15.39/unit fixed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). 

Solar mission continues to lure private players

Launched last year, the ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission of the government (JNNSM) continues to lure private players. For the 350 MW of capacity proposed in the second batch of the phase one of the solar mission, requests have come pouring for a total of 2,500 MW capacity.

Falling silicon prices shakes up solar manufacturing industry

Since 2008, there has been a drastic drop in prices of silicon-based solar modules and the material needed to produce it. This has now come to a point where there is a major shake-up in the solar manufacturing industry, and end-users are benefiting by way of cheaper solar electricity.

Breather for wind firms

WIND energy producers now have a year’s respite to comply with a government directive to accurately forecast their electricity supply to a power grid. An accurate forecast helps prevent demand-supply imbalances in a grid and reduces burden on states and power generators who have to make arrangements for last moment demands.