India's ambitious solar power plans

India's Rs 4,800-crore (Rs 48 billion) solar power industry, which exports around 60 to 70 per cent of its wares to Europe, North America and China, seems to have taken a cue from the IT sector and is aiming for a greater foothold in the Indian market. India, where most regions enjoy nearly 300 sunny days a year, is an ideal market for solar power companies. However, the high cost of light-to-electricity conversion - at Rs 12 to Rs 20 per kWh (kilowatt-hour) - has acted as a deterrent so far, according to Frost & Sullivan Deputy Director (Energy and Power Systems) Amol Kotwal. Currently, India has around 60 companies assembling and supplying solar photovoltaic systems, nine companies manufacturing solar cells and 19 companies manufacturing photovoltaic modules or panels, according to an Indian Semiconductor Association study. However, spurred by factors like an increased demand for clean power, an energy-starved industry and the falling cost of solar-power generation, companies in this space are coming up with a noteworthy number of domestic projects. It has also helped that the government is lending support to such projects through state electricity boards with subsidies.Source: Rediff.com Tata BP Solar ties up with ESB for heating system DUBAI, May 3, 2009:: Tata BP Solar India (TBS) has tied up with Dubai-based Eurostar Solar Energy (ESE) to meet the rising demand for solar thermal water heating systems in the region. TBS is a joint venture between Tata Power Company, a pioneer in the power sector and BP Solar one of the largest Solar Companies in the world. ESE, the newly launched group company of EUROSTAR Group, is an active proponent for renewable energy in the region offering expertise in the design, supply, installation, commissioning and after sales service of solar water heating systems (provided by TBS) and PV systems. Solar plane to take off next April JAIPUR, November 17, 2008: 'Solarimplse,' a solar plane, dubbed a revolutionary project in the field of aviation, will have its first test flight April next year in Switzerland, an officer associated with the project said. Besides, the microlight-like plane is scheduled to take off for a round-the-world flight in May 2011, project communication head Phil Mundwiller said. The pollution-free plane would fly with zero fuel on the strength of solar power both day and night, whose prototype was displayed here as part of the 60th ceremony of India-Switzerland Friendship Treaty. Phil said two aircraft with the investment of $100m are being designed by a team of 60 engineers. Its commercial production is expected to start by 2011. -PTI Remote Rajasthan village gets lit by solar power NEW DELHI, August 12, 2008: Around 500 residents of a Rajasthan village now have lighting from solar power, thanks to an initiative by international renewable energy major Conergy, in partnership with the Masonic rust here. All 98 homes, two temples and a school in Dewri Gowda village in Rajasthan's Alwar district now have solar powered lighting, a total of 940 watts, a Conergy spokesperson said here on Tuesday. The project is a part of Conergy Renewable Energy Village initiative, supported by India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Funding for the project was raised through a charity golf tournament last November. Conergy India managing director Rajesh Bhat said: "Through our subsidiary SunTechnics, we have already installed several hundred renewable energy systems for environmentally-friendly solar power and thus improved the living standards of more than 100,000 people in 250 Indian villages. "Till now, more than 13 per cent of the 600,000 remote villages in India lack electricity. Like Dewri Gowda, most are located in remote territory, which proves expensive and technologically-challenging for power supplied through a public grid. Off-grid renewable energy products such as solar-powered home and street lighting systems thus serve as affordable and efficient alternatives, while also being environment- friendly." Venkittu Sundaram, chairman of the Lodge Elysium Masonic Trust and managing director of EPURON India, said: "India's potential for renewable energy projects far exceeds the current installed capacity. Of the current 144,913 megawatts of energy produced in India, only 8.4 per cent comes from renewable sources." Source: The Times of India India's first solar powered housing project Kolkata, July 14, 2008: India's first solar powered housing project are fitted with all the modern amenities. Installed on its roof are solar panels and solar water heaters, which will offer inmates electricity as well as provide them with warm water for a relaxing bath at the end of a tiring day. The lily pool in front of each house looks pretty but serves a more serious purpose. The breeze flowing over it cools the house on entering it through a natural draft circulation process called the chimney effect. India's first solar housing project— Rabi Rashmi Abasan—at Rajarhat on the outskirts of Kolkata has to offer. This housing project has a group of 25 houses. Priced at Rs 45 lakh per house, this housing project has already found its share of takers among the upper end of the social spectrum. These 25 houses will ensure at least 60% of energy savings without compromising on comfort. Source: DNA
India's Temples moving quietly towards renewable energy.July 07, 2008: The Tirumala temple, in the south Indian city of Tirupathi, is one of Hinduism's holiest shrines. Over 5,000 pilgrims a day visit this city of seven hills, filling Tirumala's coffers with donations and making it India's richest temple. But since 2002, Tirumala has also been generating revenue from a less likely source: carbon credits. For decades, the temple's community kitchen has fed nearly 15,000 people, cooking 30,000 meals a day. Five years ago, Tirumala adopted solar cooking technology, allowing it to dramatically cut down on the amount of diesel fuel it uses. The temple now sells the emission reduction credits it earns to a Swiss green- technology investor, Good Energies Inc. Like Tirumala, dozens of holy places across India are moving quietly towards green energy. Muni Seva Ashram, in Gujarat, which combines spiritual practice with social activism, is working to make its premises entirely green by using solar, wind and biogas energy. A residential school for 400 students is already running exclusively on green energy. Starting this year, the ashram will also sell three million carbon credits. A similar movement is afoot at the revered Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra. - AFP
The Tirumala temple, in the south Indian city of Tirupathi, is one of Hinduism's holiest shrines.
McCain proposes $300million prize to develop h--tech auto battery Washington, June 24, 2008: Senetor John McCain hopes to solve the country's energy crisis with cold hard cash. He thinks the government should offer a $300 million prize to the people who can develop an automobile battery that leapfrogs existing technology. India for battery-operated vehicles NEW DELHI, June 18, 2008: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Secretary V. Subramanian stressed the need for rigorous marketing and opening of dealers network in major cities for battery-operated vehicles by the manufacturers. In a meeting with the major battery-operated vehicle manufacturers in the Ministry, Subramanian said that the Government was keen to work out a conducive policy for large use of battery-operated vehicles in the country. Several battery-operated models of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers are manufactured by a number of industries. However the number of such vehicles is quite small in comparison to conventional fuel vehicles. During the discussion, it was felt that while the running cost of battery-operated vehicles is cheaper than the petrol/diesel run vehicles, the replacement of batteries of battery-operated vehicles is quite costly. Leasing of batteries and central charging facility of batteries of battery-operated vehicles were also considered as a step-forward for promotion of battery-operated vehicles. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy through its research and development and demonstration programmes has made successful efforts for using bio fuels in automobiles and stationary engines and development and production of battery- operated vehicles during past 20 years or so. Battery-operated vehicle manufacturers have assured all efforts by them for expanding their marketing network and creating awareness about these vehicles. The leading battery-operated vehicle manufacturers Mahendra, Bajaj Auto Limited, Honda Motors, Reva Electrics, Electrothurps, Eco Vehicles, Yo-Bikes and E-Bikes participated in the meeting. Representatives from Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Tata Motors also attended the meeting. Source: The Economic Times India can lead world in renewable energy: Al GoreNEW DELHI, March 15, 2008 (AFP): India, as an advanced developing nation, can help lead the world in renewable energy technologies to solve "the climate change crisis," former US vice president and Nobel Peace winner Al Gore said. "India has proven its capability in sectors like information technology and can be a leader in the world in developing new renewable technologies to combat climate change," Gore told reporters here in New Delhi on the weekend. Gore was speaking at the launch on Saturday of the India wing of "The Climate Project", a US-based non-profit group that supports the former vice president's efforts to tackle climate change globally. The jatropha plant an alternative to diesel fuel in India Goa, February 23, 2008: The cultivation of the jatropha plant in the Western states of Goa and Maharashtra and dhaincha in Bihar is increasingly being promoted as promising an alternative to diesel fuel in India. In Goa, bio-diesel derived from jatropha curcas, locally known as ‘erond’, is becoming more widespread. Fr Inacio Almeida, of Pilar, Goa, runs the nature farm of the society of Pilar (or society of the missionaries of St Francis Xavier) and is a leading populariser of jatropha as a feedstock for the production of bio diesel. jatropha until recently was routinely used as stumps for damming paddy fields and orchards. “One litre of fuel can be extracted from three kilograms of jatropha seeds,” says Fr Almeida. Among the developments he envisions is for “each village in Goa to have its own jatropha plantation and extraction machinery.”
XL Telecom & Energy plans to enter into power generation MUMBAI, December 26, 2007: XL Telecom & Energy plans to enter the power generation segment with initial investments in Spain, the current global destination for Grid Connected Solar Energy. Saptashva Solar, a subsidiary of the company, will establish a series of "Solar Farms" for power generation in Spain with a 28 MW capacity target for the first year. The medium term target is to install close to 200 MW of these farms in Spain and surrounding Portugal alone. Other countries are also being explored for establishing such farms to avail of the benefits offered and to go up the solar "value chain". The project is expected to have 25 year PPA from the local utility company. Saptashva will generate on first full year of operations with this capacity about Euro 17.740 million, or Rs 100 crore, with 20 per cent margins for next 25 years. The first solar farm of 2.3 mw will be implemented before March 2008 and the balance would get installed by December 2008. The project is expected to have debt equity ratio of 1:4 and will be funded by local banks. As the investments are being made in the subsidiary of XL Telecom & Energy, the company do not envisaging any dilution in the parent company.