Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Self-cleaning solar panels developed by Hyderabad-based ARCI

In a shot in the arm for India's National Solar Mission, Hyderabad-based international Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) has developed solar panels that are capable of cleaning themselves. The ARCI has used nanotechnology to make self-cleaning solar panels.

The solar panels are coated with a special material that is highly waterproof or superhydrophobic. The... Read more..

Karnataka tenders for 150MW of PV at Pavagada Solar Park

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) has issued a tender for 150MW(AC) of grid-connected solar projects at the Pavagada Solar Park on a build own and operate (BOO) basis.

The capacity will be split between three blocks of 50MW(AC) projects and the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) will purchase the power produced for a 25-year period.

... Read more..

Avadi set to be no-waste municipality

The Avadi Municipality is all set to become a zero waste area with the launch of its micro compost centres in partnership with Bharat Petroleum. The Rs 6.05-crore project, which kicked off a month ago, has gained momentum, according to officials in the municipality. “A total of 17 micro compost centres are operational across the 48 wards. Each centre is equipped with a shredder and has 12 pits to ensure composting can be done systematically and scientifically,” said Municipal Commissioner Mathivanan, adding... Read more..

75% of municipal garbage in India dumped without processing

Barely 35,600 metric tonnes (MT) or a quarter of the 1.43 lakh MT of garbage generated every day in Indian cities gets processed. The remaining three-quarters about 1.1 lakh MT are dumped in the open. Only eight of 35 states process more than half the daily garbage generated in their cities and not one has achieved 100% processing. 

State-wise data on the website of the urban affairs ministry shows that states like... Read more..

Chennai-based Swelect partners with US company to produce water from solar energy

Chennai-based Swelect Energy Systems, a solar technology solutions provider, has partnered with Zero Mass Water, a US-based company, to install and sell hydropanels that can be used to produce water from solar energy. 

Called Source, hydropanels use technology that makes use of air and sunlight to produce water. 

... Read more..

Solar installations leave electricity network in peril in West Bengal

As solar installation becomes more affordable and homes begin to generate electricity and push it into the grid, power utilities like CESC and West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (WBSEDCL) face the challenge of managing their networks that are designed for one-way flow of electricity. 

"Traditionally, power flow has been from generation unit to households through transmission line and... Read more..

Goa MLA seeks law to make solar panels mandatory for hotels

Deputy speaker Michael Lobo on Friday told the legislative assembly that a law should be enacted making it compulsory for new hotels to fit solar panels on their rooftops. 

He was speaking during a discussion on the frequent power disruptions that have been affecting the state, a topic that prompted both, ruling and opposition legislators, to voice their opinions.

... Read more..

Punjab approves renewable projects of Rs 100 crore

The Punjab government has approved renewable energy projects worth Rs 100 crore, state Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy Sources Gurpreet Singh Kangar said on Thursday.

The approvals cover nine small hydro projects with the combined 5.55 MW capacity, which would entail an investment of Rs 60 crore, one bio-CNG project involving Rs 17.50 crore and a bio-Coal Plant of Rs 26.75 crore and these would... Read more..

Highest UN environmental honour for Kochi airport

 Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has been selected for the champion of earth prize -2018, the highest environmental honour instituted by United Nations. CIAL is honoured for its successful implementation of solar energy project to power the Kochi airport..

The award will be presented at a gala ceremony on the sidelines of the UN general assembly in New York on September 26 2018, said an official... Read more..

India's carbon-dioxide emissions will rise to 3.8-3.9 gigatonnes by 2030: Study

India's carbon-dioxide emission will rise to 3.8-3.9 gigatonnes by 2030 not 3.8-4.9 gigatonnes as was projected earlier, which is consistent with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) pledge made at the 2015 Paris summit, according to a study by an Indian think-tank. According to the study by the Centre for Policy Research, even if emissions reach to the said level by 2030, India's expected per capita emissions will be lower than today's global average. 

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India needs to invest $76 bn to meet balance renewable energy target of 103.67 Gw: RK Singh

India needs an investment of around $76 bn to achieve the balance 103.67 Gigawatt (Gw) of the target of 175 Gw renewable energy capacity by 2020, power and renewable energy minister R K Singh said.

India had an installed renewable energy capacity base of 69.78 Gw at the end of March 2018.

"To achieve the... Read more..

Orissa High Court stays safeguard duty on imported solar panels

The Orissa High Court has stayed the imposition of safeguard duty on imported solar panels until August 20 following a petition from leading solar developer Acme Solar Holdings opposing it. 

Last week, the Directorate General of Trade Restrictions (DGTR) recommended that safeguard duty on solar panels and modules imported from China and Malaysia should be imposed for two years -- 25% for the first year, 20%... Read more..