Solex to source 800 MW production line from GMEE; Emmvee modules for Hero Future Energies; Statkraft India to use Waaree modules; Mercom lists winners of NTPC 1.5 GW solar auction; GAIL commissions pilot green hydrogen project; IIT Madras and Shell India partner to promote innovation.
Solex and GMEE partner: Solex Energy Limited has announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GMEE to buy an 800 MW production line with high-efficiency n-type TOPCon modules and heterojunction (HJT) solar cells-based modules. A highly automated line will feature state-of-the-art, end-to-end automation from glass loading to PV module sorting integrated with artificial intelligence (AI). It will expand the companny's current annual production capacity from existing 700 MW to 1.5 GW by the end of Q2/FY2024-25. Solex says it aligns with the company's plans to expand its production capacity to 4.5 GW by FY 2025-26.
600 MW order for Emmvee: Indian solar panel manufacturer Emmvee Photovoltaic Power has secured a 600 MW module supply agreement with local independent power producer (IPP) Hero Future Energies (HFE). Emmvee will honor the agreement over the 2 years to supply its high efficiency solar modules to HFE. Backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and KKR, HFE touts a global portfolio of 4.5 GW of renewable energy assets across India, Ukraine and Vietnam and 2 GW in the pipeline in these nations along with in the UK and Bangladesh. Emmvee operates up to 3 GW of PV module capacity. It expects to add 1.5 GW TOPCon cell production line in the next few months.
Waaree module deal with Statkraft: Waaree Energies Limited has signed a module supply order with Statkraft India with 445 MW capacity. It will provide Statkraft with 540 W to 545 W dual-glass bifacial modules between May 2024 and August 2024.
1.5 GW auction results: Mercom India Research says NTPC has concluded the auction of 1.5 GW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar power projects under tranche III. The lowest winning tariff of INR 2.68 ($0.0322)/kWh was offered by Apraava Energy that won 50 MW, followed by Avaada Energy, ReNew Solar Power and JSW Neo Energy quoting the same INR 2.69 ($0.0323)/kWh to secure 750 MW, 300 MW, and 400 MW, respectively.
GAIL's green hydrogen project online: GAIL (India) Limited has commissioned its 1st green hydrogen plant at GAIL Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh. The 10 MW Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) pilot electrolyzer plant is powered by renewable power sourced via open access arrangement. GAIL says it can produce 4.3 tons per day (TPD). It is also building around 20 MW ground mounted and floating solar PV capacity in Vijaipur to mee the requirement of green power for the 10 MW PEM plant.
Energy research center: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Energy Consortium has partnered with Shell India to launch the Shell IITM Centre for Energy Research (SICER). It will promote the innovation, research, development, piloting and commercialization of technologies in the energy sector, according to the duo. It will entail incubation of energy start-ups by leveraging IIT Madras' start-up ecosystem. According to an official statement, the collaboration will be centralized under SICER for 5 years. The IIT Madras of Head of the Energy Consortium Dr. Satyanarayanan Seshadri has been announced as the 1st ever Shell Chair Professor at IIT Madras. In February 2023, IIT Madras entered a solar PV R&D partnership with America's First Solar (see India PV News Snippets).