India added 1.1 GW of rooftop solar capacity in the first half (1H) of calendar year 2024, the highest half-yearly installations to date, according to Mercom India’s newly released Q2 2024 India Rooftop Solar Market Report. The capacity addition was about a 26% year-over-year (YoY) increase from the 873 MW installed in 1H 2023. Rooftop solar capacity additions in the second quarter of 2024 were unprecedented, with 731 MW, up 89% YoY from 388 MW. Sequentially, capacity additions grew by 99% from 367 MW.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) by adding 4,089 MW of new solar module capacity. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity under ALMM now stands at 54,706 MW. Avaada Electro, Laxmi Solar Power System, and Uratom Solar were the new entrants to the ALMM, accounting for 554 MW, 121 MW, and 46 MW, respectively. Tata Power Solar, Jakson Engineers, and SASA Energy increased their enlisted capacity by 2,697 MW, 662 MW, and 9 MW, respectively. In a recent update to the ALMM Order, MNRE revised the guidelines for the inspection and final enlistment of provisionally listed manufacturers.

AM Green Ammonia BV, incorporated by Greenko Group, has arrived at its Final Investment Decision for its first one million-ton green ammonia project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. This project will be based at an existing urea plant in Kakinada. The facility will be converted into a green ammonia production unit, with operations starting in the second half of 2026. The company has secured 1,300 MW of carbon-free power through 4,500 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity and 950 MW of pumped storage capacity. A 25-year power purchase agreement with NTPC covers half of the required power capacity. Gentari, Petronas’ renewable energy arm based in Malaysia, is expected to provide the remaining capacity.

SunSource Energy, a subsidiary of SHV Energy, announced the commissioning of a 21 MW solar power project in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. The 50-acre project, which marks the company’s entry into the state, is expected to generate 760 million kW of clean energy and offset 700 million kg of CO2 emissions during its technical lifetime. SunSource Energy has already secured partnerships with leading commercial and industrial businesses for the offtake of the 21 MW capacity. Santanu Guha, CEO of SunSource Energy, said, “We are pleased to commission our first plant in Tamil Nadu, one of India’s leading states for renewable energy.”

China-based polysilicon manufacturer Daqo New Energy Corporation reported a significant decline in both revenue and net income for the second quarter (Q2) of 2024 due to a drop in polysilicon prices below production costs. The company’s Q2 revenue fell to $219.9 million, a 65% year-over-year decrease from $636.7 million. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization also took a hit, with Q2 showing a loss of $144.9 million from a profit of $229.9 million last year. The quarterly adjusted net loss amounted to $98.8 million, starkly contrasting the $134.5 million net income reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Renewable energy company ReNew has signed a green attribute sale contract of 437.6 MW with Microsoft. The contract is expected to generate over one million units of green electricity attributes annually, contributing to Microsoft’s ambition to become carbon-negative by 2030. ReNew will direct approximately $5 million of revenue from the contract towards a community fund to support environmental justice initiatives focusing on women’s livelihoods and economic empowerment, energy access, rural electrification, environmental remediation, water quality improvement, and other concerns of communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.