Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Multiple consumers can benefit from a single solar plant at one location

To promote electricity generation from renewable sources, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has come out with a draft framework for group net metering and virtual net metering wherein multiple consumers can be beneficiaries of a single solar plant at one location.

After the Delhi solar policy was issued in 2016, the power watchdog constituted a committee for developing the framework and has now... Read more..

Mumbai Metro commissions roof-top solar on Metro Depot

Reliance Infrastructure Ltd promoted Mumbai Metro One has installed and commissioned a 612 KWp capacity roof-top solar power plant atop the Metro Depot in D.N. Nagar, Andheri west, an official said on Monday.

A total of 2,000 rooftop solar panels have been installed on the Metro Depot along with associated supporting and cabling works.

... Read more..

Personal heating patches could reduce energy waste in buildings

Researchers, including one of an Indian-origin, have developed a thin, durable and high-tech personal heating patch that could be sewn into clothes to generate heat, while significantly reducing users' electric bill as well as energy waste in buildings.

The low-cost and flexible heating patches is made from polyester fabric fused with tiny silver wires, using pulses of intense light. 

... Read more..

Himachal Pradesh varsity faculty develops cost-effective sun tracking system

Faculty members of Shoolini University in Solan district have developed a cost- effective sun tracking system for individuals and small-time users. The system can keep the panel in the direction of the sun to maximize utility of solar panels. 

The design patent on the proposed solar tracking system filed by Shoolini professors last year was granted on August 24. Under the circumstances, the panels come as a... Read more..

Developers protest as Haryana limits solar transmission subsidy

As renewable energy increasingly becomes mainstream with tariffs on par with those of conventional power, governments are gradually rolling back concessions extended to the sector. 

The Haryana power regulator has denied exemption for solar projects above 500 MW from a host of transmission-related charges. In most states, such charges are still waived for renewable power. 

... Read more..

Solar power scheme: Kerala State Electricity Board gets 15,000 applications

KSEB – the state power utility – has received over 15,000 applications from individuals, organizations and government departments to set up grid connected rooftop solar power units. 

This figure was beyond its initial expectations as KSEB had set a target to generate 200MW solar power for phase-I of the programme. Going by the interest expressed by individuals and government departments, over 200MW (small... Read more..

PFC plans to borrow Rs 7,000 crore from domestic banks to fund REC deal

State-run Power Finance Corp (PFC) plans to fund its acquisition of REC by borrowing Rs 7,000 crore from domestic banks, for which negotiations have begun, and is likely to moderate its dividend pay out as well as disbursements to loan accounts this financial year. The company is also banking on a special dividend from REC Ltd after the acquisition, said a government official.

It is not expected to raise... Read more..

Mahindra, SmartE to deploy 1,000 electric three-wheelers in Delhi NCR

Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd’s electric mobility arm, Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd, on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Goldie Srivastava-led SmartE, one of India’s largest electric vehicle fleet operators. According to the MoU, SmartE will deploy the first 1,000 Mahindra Treo and Treo Yaari electric three-wheelers in Delhi NCR by March 2019, Mahindra said in a statement. SmartE also plans to deploy a total of 10,000 Mahindra electric three-wheelers across India by 2020, the statement... Read more..

No proposal from Centre to invest in e-bus manufacturing

The government has no proposal to invest in manufacturing of electric buses as automobile is a deregulated sector wherein both private and public sectors are free to invest, Parliament was informed Wednesday.
In reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Heavy Industries Babul Supriyo said 100 per cent FDI by automatic route is permitted in the automobile sector.

"There is no proposal from... Read more..

Vestas wins 252-MW Indian EPC deal from Engie

Danish wind turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems today announced an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) deal for a 252-MW project in India, its largest order in the country.

Vivid Solaire Energy Pvt Ltd, a unit of French utility Engie SA, has selected Vestas to deliver, install and commission 126 of its V120-2.0 MW turbines at the wind park in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu state. The Danish firm will also... Read more..

Focus on solar power and green good deeds

At the 24th meeting of Conference of Parties (COP-24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Monday, Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan reiterated India's solar and public awareness campaigns like Green Good Deeds.

"This year the theme of India Pavilion is 'One World One Sun One Grid' as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the first assembly of the... Read more..

India-led ISA, EU join hands to promote solar energy

At the world’s biggest climate change conference, the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) signed a joint declaration with the European Union (EU) on Tuesday to enhance solar energy.

A joint initiative of India and France, the alliance was launched in 2015 to drive 121 member countries to increase their solar power utilization. At the ongoing 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24)... Read more..