The pace of energy transition is contingent on the steady supply of components necessary for project development. Solar is a major component in India’s goal to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030. However, the government’s push to deploy locally manufactured modules for solar projects has created bottlenecks and could jeopardize the growth rate in capacity additions. In the first half (1H) of the calendar year 2024, solar projects totaling 14.9 GW were added in India, topping all previous half-yearly and annual installations. Year-on-year, this was a 282% growth compared to PV installations in 1H 2023. The surge in installations was mainly due to the rush to import modules to commission projects ahead of the reimposition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers Order from April 2024.

The Ministry of Power has released the guidelines for installing and operating electric vehicle (EV) chargers. According to the guidelines, any entity can establish a charging infrastructure and setting up and operating EV charging stations is a de-licensed activity. The “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, 2024” will supersede all the previous versions issued by the ministry. Charge Point Operators can apply for an electricity connection for their EV charging stations. In case of any delays in providing the necessary connections, the distribution licensee will be liable to pay a penalty determined by the regulatory commission.

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) (DCBL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat, will procure up to 11.2 MW of solar power as a captive consumer from Solsolis Solar Energy Solutions in Odisha. DCBL has entered into a share subscription and shareholders agreement to acquire 26% of Solsolis’ equity. The acquisition consists of 3.02 million equity shares aggregating to an investment of ₹30.2 million (~$361,468) to be made in one or more tranches. The transaction is expected to be completed within eight months. Solsolis Solar Energy is a special-purpose vehicle for setting up a captive solar power project in Odisha. The share acquisition in Solsolis will help Dalmia Cement source solar power as a captive consumer.

The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has won PFC Consulting’s tender to develop a transmission system to evacuate 7 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Gujarat. PGCIL was chosen as the successful bidder to establish an Inter-State Transmission System for the “Transmission System for Evacuation of Power from potential renewable energy zone in Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-IV (7GW): Part B” on a build, own, operate and transfer basis through a tariff-based competitive bidding process. The company has received the letter of intent from PFC Consulting for the project. The project involves setting up a 765/400/220kV (GIS) substation south of Olpad, 765 kV & 400 kV D/C transmission lines, and associated bay extension works at other existing substations in Gujarat.

The Bilaspur Division – Electrical of the South East Central Railway has issued a tender to set up rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 1.876 MW on service, station, and residential buildings in CAPEX mode. The last date to submit the bids is October 10, 2024. The advertised value of the tender is ₹88 million (~$1.053 million). Bidders must pay an earnest money deposit of ₹591,700 (~$7,082). The security deposit will be 5% of the contract value. Bidders will pay a bid security as follows: For works estimated to cost up to ₹10 million (~$119,675): 2% of the estimated cost. For works estimated to cost more than ₹10 million (~$119,675): ₹2 million (~$2,394) plus o.5% of the excess of the estimated cost of work beyond ₹10 million (~$119,675) subject to a maximum of ₹10 million (~$119,675).

SJVN Green Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJVN, has invited bids to hire a project management consultant for developing 1,352 MW solar projects distributed across 102 sites in Maharashtra. These projects are being implemented under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) 2.0 and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Component-C. The last date for submitting bids is October 10, 2024. Bid opening dates will be announced later. The contract period is for two years. Bidders must pay ₹ $5000 (~$59.84) for the bid document + 18% GST. A total of 1,352 MW of solar capacity will be installed through 102 solar projects across four Maharashtra districts.

The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency has invited bids for the survey, design, fabrication, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of 1,095 kW grid-connected, ground-mounted and rooftop solar systems with net metering. The systems are distributed across 32 police stations in Gadchiroli and 7 in Bhandara district, Maharashtra. The contract also includes operation and maintenance for five years. The last date for the submission of bids is September 26, 2024. Bids will be opened on the following day. The estimated project cost is ₹60.2 million (~$721,245). Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹602,535 (~$7,212) and a tender fee of ₹29,500 (~$353), including 18% GST.

The Vadodara Division-Electrical of the Western Railway has invited bids to set up 1.05 MW rooftop solar systems at various locations in Gujarat. The last date to submit the bid is October 17, 2024. Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹406,100 (~$4,858). The advertised value of the tender is ₹51.2 million (~$612,900). The work must be completed in 12 months. The scope of work for the successful bidder will include the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the on-grid solar systems, monocrystalline PV modules, MS hot-dipped galvanized structure for mounting of panels, and power conditioning units able to adjust voltage and frequency level to suit the grid voltage frequency at various locations of the Vadodara division.

Material scientists at the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, combined potassium (K) and sodium (Na) with Sulfur (S) to create a high-energy, low-cost solution for storing energy for longer durations. The report, ‘Designing electrolytes with high solubility of sulfides/disulfides for high-energy-density and low-cost K-Na/S batteries,’ was published in Nature Communications. Storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind has always been a significant challenge due to production fluctuations based on sunlight and wind conditions. Columbia University’s research focuses on finding low-cost and high-energy battery storage solutions to address the issue of long-duration energy storage.