Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012 - New Market Research Report

The solar industry has immense potential for a tropical country like India where around 45% of households, mainly rural ones, do not have access to electricity, says the new research report "Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012". The industry has witnessed rapid growth over the past few years and is projected to grow further in future.

India is blessed with ample solar radiation and most part of the country receives 300 to 330 sunny days in a year. India receives solar energy equivalent to more than 5,000 Trillion kWh per year, which is far more than its total annual energy consumption. The country's geographical location, large population and government support are assisting it to become one of the most rapidly emerging solar energy markets in the world. Consequently, the country is becoming a favorite investment destination for both local and global players.

Demand for solar products has been rapidly rising for the recent years, especially in rural areas, and is expected to continue growing substantially during our forecast period (2011-2013). Solar street lighting systems, home lighting systems, power plants, solar cookers, solar pumps and solar water heating systems are the most popular applications in India. The number of solar water heating systems is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 22% between 2011 and 2013.

Many states have started promoting solar based applications by giving incentives and tax savings. States like Gujarat and Rajasthan have formulated transparent and progressive regulatory framework in order to boost the solar industry. Besides, states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Chandigarh are promoting solar energy in rural, urban and semi urban areas.

The report provides an extensive research and rational analysis of the solar industry in India. It thoroughly examines current industry trends, with focus on recent changes in the state and country level regulatory environment. The report will assist investors to understand the market dynamics and get an insight into the future outlook of solar power market in India.

Besides giving projections for various energy indicators, the report contains forecast for different segments of the solar power industry based on feasible solar industry environment. These include:

- Solar Street Lighting System
- Solar Home Lighting System
- Solar Lantern
- Solar Photovoltaic Pumps
- Solar Water Heating System
- Solar Cookers

The forecast given in this report is not based on a complex economic model, but is intended as a rough guide to the direction in which the market is likely to move. This forecast is based on correlations between past market growth, growth of base drivers and possible impact of recession in the economy.

The report also includes brief information about the key players such as BHEL, BEL, CEL, TATA BP Solar India Limited, Solar Semiconductor and Moser Baer India Limited.

To order a copy of the report:   click here

Tata Steel & Dyesol Make Progress on Their BIPV Project

Tata Steel and Dyesol have agreed to expand their joint photovoltaics development project based at the PV Accelerator Centre at the Tata Steel site at Shotton, North Wales. The number of personnel working on the project will be increased from 30 to 50, and activity at the PV Accelerator Centre will be scaled up.

The project, whose initial development phase is due to be completed in June, set out to develop the world's first continuously manufactured dye-sensitized photovoltaic product on steel for building applications. Over this period, the partners have been supported by a technology grant from the Welsh Assembly Government.

"This expansion takes the project from its laboratory and pilot line phase into a pre-industrialization phase," says Peter Strikwerda, managing director of Tata Steel Colors.

SOURCE: Dyesol


View:  Don't count out India -- they have lots of really bright people, money, lots of sunshine, and need a lot of electricity.   This will be a huge market and eventually a solar market leader.   The Indian market is wide open for entrepreneurs with vision and connections.

40 MW Solar Project to Be Built in Patan, India

PLG Power Ltd., the energy and power division of the PLG Group, has begun work on a 40 MW solar PV plant in Patan, near Ahmadabad, India.

PLG, which also manufactures crystalline PV modules, has signed a power purchase agreement for the project with the government of Gujarat. Equity participation of 20 MW is provided by Zamil of Saudi Arabia, and 20 MW is provided by U.K.-based Ashburg.

The company says the plant will be constructed in four phases of 10 MW each. All four phases are expected to be completed by the end of the next fiscal year.

SOURCE: PLG Power

India to Train Women from Rwanda To Install Solar Lighting

Four women from Bugesera district will travel to Barefoot College in India, for a six-month training in solar energy installation and maintenance. Claudine Uwimana, 48, Odette Mukarumongi, 50, Cecile Nyiramubandwa, 48 and Dative Mukantabana,47 all residents of Karambi village in Nyamata sector, will travel on Monday.

The training is funded by the government of India, while Rwanda United Kingdom Goodwill Organisation (RUGO) will raise 25,000 Pound Sterling required to install solar power in 110 houses in Karambi village.

The women will learn how to fabricate, install and maintain solar powered household lighting system.

They are expected to use their skills, to install lights in the Karambi homes.

The quartet were yesterday briefed on the arrangements and given the necessary travel documents.

Mike Hughes, the Chairman of RUGO, explained why this particular training is unique.

"It is amazing that illiterate women are trained to be formidable Solar Engineers. Wait after six months, these women will be performing miracles in Karambi village, yet they never went beyond primary school," he said.

Louis Rwagaju, the Mayor of Bugesera, reminded the women the importance of the training.

He appealed to them to focus all their attention on the training, saying that their fellow residents expected a lot from them.

Claudine Uwimana, the group leader, said that she was excited.

"The fact that I have never travelled beyond Kigali, notwithstanding, I am boarding a plane to India. I will beat all odds including the language barrier, to gain enough skills to have solar energy in my village," she said.

View:    This story is truly inspiring ... and just a small example of why Solar Energy is more beneficial to more people than Nuclear Energy.

source:   all Africa.com

Thin-Film Gets a Boost in India

Abound Solar, a manufacturer of cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaic solar modules, has entered into a long-term sales agreement with Solarsis.

The companies will work together to provide solutions based on Abound's thin-film modules serving project developers in the Indian market. Solarsis will also establish a test facility with the purpose of optimizing balance-of-system designs around Abound Solar's modules that will lower total system costs for customers.

The first project under this agreement will be a 1 MW ground-mount array in Ananthapur, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

SOURCE: Abound Solar

Avatar Solar Receives 5 MW Indian Project Contract

Avatar Solar, a project developer based in Simi Valley, Calif., has been awarded a 5 MW PV solar power plant project in Gujarat, India. The Clinton Foundation has identified a high-sun-hours location in Northern Gujarat, where the company says it will be leasing the required land for the project.

Avatar Solar plans to use thin-film modules on this project. The company is currently in the process of securing financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and project that the installation will be completed by the end of this year.

SOURCE: Avatar Solar

First Solar (FSLR) Supplying 15 MW in Solar Modules to ACME of India

First Solar (FSLR) announced earlier today that ACME of India will purchase 15MW in thin film solar modules for a solar plant in the state of Gujarat.  First Solar sees India as a potentially large solar market.  Delivery is expected in March 2011.

First Solar VP TK Kallenbach commented: “We see India as a land of immense opportunity and potential. We are pleased to collaborate with a leader like ACME to contribute to the country through the development of clean, affordable, sustainable solar electricity utilising our advanced, thin film technology and unparalleled experience in large-scale solar PV systems.”

Source:  First Solar

More Renewable Investment for India

Looks like the news flow and announcements of investments into India continue unabated. Just a few weeks ago Areva had announced plans of massive investments to the tune of $3 Billion  into India in the Solar CSP space in  the next 5 to 7 years.

According to new reports,India and France are expected to enter into an agreement to promote investment and technology transfer in the renewable energy segment.

Recently, the CEO of Areva Renewables, Anil Srivastava talked about the lifetime opportunity India had in building the CSP industry.

France will encourage investments in renewable energy by French companies, while also promoting sharing of technology. Also, Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) and Areva will enter into an early works contract for supply of two nuclear reactors of 1,650 Mw each. The proposed agreements are expected to be signed during French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to India during December 3-7.

Officials at the commerce ministry and the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who did not wish to be quoted, told Business Standard, “The French government has already set a target of raising the installed capacity for wind power from 810 Mw in 2006 to 25,000 Mw by 2020. Also, installed capacity for photovoltaic power is to increase from 32.7 Mw in 2006 to 3,000 Mw by 2020.”

“French companies can play a major role in India’s proposed wind and solar capacity addition plans. At present, against the total installed capacity of over 1,40,000 Mw, renewable energy contributes a mere 10,000-14,000 Mw,” said an official. They added the proposed agreement would be similar to the pact between India and the US that aimed to promote investment and technology sharing in renewable energy.

It will be interesting to see what kind of initiatives are announced during the visit of the French President to India early next month.

It is clearly an exciting time for renewable energy and cleantech in India given the developments. Panchabuta, will strive to keep its readers appraised of the latest developments in the ground and track the announcements and their progress in the time ahead.

Source:  Linkedin

Companies Plan 100 MW for India

Developers and manufacturers are eyeing India's burgeoning solar market.

 he European power-electronics company AEG Power Solutions and the Indian solar developer Electrotherm have partnered to deploy 100 MW of solar PV projects around India in the next three years.

The first installations are targeted for the last quarter of 2010 (15 MW) and for the beginning of 2011 (30 MW) in the states of Gujrat and Rajastan.

Electrotherm will give AEG access to the Indian market through its existing presence in the country. The company will act as an EPC contractor (Engineering, Procurement and Construction). In addition, Electrotherm will provide MV transformers and other basic components such as structures and complete wiring which are parts of the company’s portfolio.

AEG will provide engineering services and will deliver key components such solar inverters, metering, monitoring and controlling equipment and intelligent combiner boxes, part of the total solar power solutions of the group.

Both companies expect to develop together a minimum of 100MW of business activity in India over a period of 36 months.

Source:   Renewable Energy World