Open access solar growing: India’s open access solar capacity grew 77% year-on-year (YoY) in 2024, adding 6.9 GW of volume, according to Mercom India Research. Most of this growth was recorded in Q4, which saw a 92% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase with 2.1 GW of new additions. This is the highest annual installation capacity recorded for the segment to date with Maharashtra leading the pack, reads Mercom’s report Q4 & Annual 2024 India Solar Open Access Market Report. Analysts attribute it to the availability of low-cost Chinese modules that were imported before the reimposition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) (see India Solar PV News Snippets). At the end of 2024, India’s cumulative installed open access solar PV capacity rose to 20.2 GW, led by Karnataka.
“Installations saw remarkable growth in 2024 as businesses increasingly prioritized generation to meet green mandates and reduce electricity costs. However, rising component prices along with land procurement and grid connectivity hurdles, are creating challenges,” stated Mercom Capital Group CEO Raj Prabhu. To ensure continued growth, he recommends the government to extend the deadline for inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charge exemptions from June 30, 2024. The complete report can be purchased from Mercom’s website.
INR 1 billion for Amrut Energy: Gujarat-based solar water pumps and renewable energy solutions provider Amrut Energy has announced raising INR 1 billion ($12 million) from private equity investors, according to local media reports. It plans to invest the proceeds in expanding its manufacturing capabilities, driving research and development (R&D) efforts, and scaling operations across underserved regions. Amrut Energy manufactures monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar modules ranging from 40 W to 450 W, as well as solar water pumps, solar street lights, and solar water towers.
India JV for Osaka Gas: Japanese gas major Osaka Gas has entered into a strategic long-term joint venture (JV) with Asia-focused commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy supplier CleanMax. The latter is backed by the global alternative asset manager Brookfield. The JV Clean Max Osaka Gas Renewable Energy Private Limited (CORE) will have Osaka Gas Singapore, an Osaka Gas subsidiary representing the parent company, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) as investors in the partnership along with CleanMax. Under phase I, CORE will build and operate close to 400 MW of renewable energy plants, starting from the state of Karnataka, and enter corporate power purchase agreements (PPA) to provide direct access of reliable and scalable renewable energy.
DCR norms for solar cells: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released some domestic content requirement (DCR) norms for solar PV cells. Solar cells will be considered domestically manufactured only if the same has been manufactured in India using undiffused silicon wafer or Black Wafer. As classified under the Customs Tariff Head 3818, all steps/processes required for manufacturing such a cell should be carried out in India. In case a diffused silicon wafer or the Blue Wafer is imported and used as raw material for solar cell manufacturing in India, it won’t qualify as a domestically manufactured solar cell to be used for the ministry’s schemes and programs where domestically manufactured solar cell is a requirement. Thin-film solar modules manufactured in an integrated factory located in India will qualify for MNRE programs and schemes, according to the ministry’s notice.
NDMC commits to solar: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced a target to install solar panels on every rooftop in its jurisdiction to become self-sustainable by 2026. It will provide subsidies equal to those offered by the central government to encourage its use. A final decision is expected at the council’s next meeting.
Hindustan Zinc to procure renewable energy: India’s largest and the world’s 2nd largest zinc producer Hindustan Zinc has expanded its power delivery agreement with Serentica Renewables. It will now source round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy supply from 530 MW capacity, up from the previous contract for 450 MW for wind, solar and energy storage facilities, across multiple high-resource locations in India. This will expand the zinc producer’s clean energy share to over 70% of the total power consumption. According to Serentica, “This agreement is the first-of-its-kind Time Block-based round-the-clock renewable energy contract, ensuring a guaranteed supply of at least 315 MW in every 15-minute time block.” It will be developed under a captive structure, and commissioned by 2027.
Waaree bags INR 7.4 billion order: Waaree Group’s Waaree Renewable Technologies Limited (WAAREERTL) has received a letter of intent (LOA) for EPC works for a solar project. The INR 7.4 billion ($89.16 million) order is for 181.3 MW DC/125 MW AC solar project to be delivered on a turnkey basis, along with its comprehensive operation and maintenance. It is scheduled to be completed within 18 months from the date of signing the contract.
TaiyangNews is hosting its 1st Solar Technology Conference India 2025, in-person, on April 10 and 11, 2025 in New Delhi, India. It will bring in all technologists, scientists and engineers who are facilitating the building of another strong solar PV manufacturing destination. Early-bird registrations are on here.
.png?w=50&fm=png){kind=logo}