Legal troubles: The Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corporation has been ordered to stop its tendering process for an agricultural power supply programme after Tata Power raised objections over the validity of the terms in the tenders | Photo: Andhra Wishesh

Andhra HC stays awarding of 6.4 GW of recently tendered solar projects

The Andhra Pradesh high court has directed the Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corporation (APGECL) to cease tendering for solar power projects connected to the state’s 6.4GW agricultural power supply program.  APGECL had floated the tender in early December to set up 6.4 GW of solar projects at ten locations in the state to supply power to agricultural consumers in the state..

APGECL’s December tender for the projects was contended by Tata Power Renewable Energy which subsequently filed an appeal citing issues with the request for selection (RfS) and draft power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the tenders. According to Tata Power, these requirements go against the provisions of the Electricity Act, the Ministry of Power, and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy guidelines.

The next hearing in the matter will be held on February 15.

SECI may reduce solar tender size to 1,800 MW due to high tariff concerns

After six extensions in bid submission timelines, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is considering reducing the size of its latest solar tender in Karnataka as well as change location specifications. 

The size of the solar projects is likely to be reduced from 2,500MW to 1,800MW owing to fears of hike in tariffs. SECI is also considering moving the projects from the solar park in Koppal to three new spots, also in Karnataka.

The 2,500MW tender was first issued on April 10, 2020, but has failed to generate interest among developers despite successive deadline extensions.

NHPC, IREDA sign pact for green energy projects

NHPC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IREDA to expand NHPC”s renewable energy projects footprint in the country. NHPC said the company has undertaken an ambitious plan to make a significant imprint on the RE landscape of the country through development of 7.5 GW of renewable energy (solar – terrestrial and floating, and wind) projects in the next three years.

The MoU with NHPC is the second one signed by IREDA within the last one month. In December SJVN and IREDA had entered an MoU for collaboration on green energy projects. Under this MoU, IREDA is providing its services to SJVN for its green energy projects. 

Recently, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture under Ministry of Power, has also signed an MoU with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to establish clean energy and energy efficiency projects at NHAI structures including buildings.

The pact is signed for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways. for the implementation of e-mobility services, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, the company said in a statement.

Gujarat unveils new solar policy, aims to reduce the share of coal-based power in state

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani announced the state’s new solar power policy for the next five years. The policy removes any ceiling on installed capacity, allowing consumers to give their roof or premises on lease to a third party for generation and consumption of power on the same premises. 

The state government will now purchase surplus energy from residential and MSME consumers after setting off against their consumption. This means that they would be allowed to sell their surplus power at a tariff of ₹2.25 per unit. The new policy is being seen as a massive boost to rooftop solar installation, in which Gujarat is already a leading state.

MP govt plans to construct world’s largest floating solar power plant on Omkareshwar dam by 2023

The Madhya Pradesh state government claimed that power generation of the world’s largest floating 600 MW solar energy project, which is to be constructed at the Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, is set to begin by 2022-23. 

The World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and Power Grid Corporation of India have granted mutual consent to aid the development of the project. Electricity will be produced in about a 2,000-hectare water area by installing solar panels in the dam. These panels will float on the surface of the water in the reservoir.

Scientists creates a fully transparent solar panel

A new study led by scientists from Incheon National University in Korea successfully demonstrated how to make a fully transparent solar cell. Researchers at Incheon University used titanium dioxide and nickel oxide, both with high optical transparency, to create the cell.

Solar panels are currently opaque, which means they can only be used on solar farms and on roofs, which prevents their wider use and integration into everyday materials. The semiconductor layers, which catch the light and turn it into electricity, are the reason for their opaque colour.