Jinko Solar, LONGi Green Energy Technology, Waaree Energies, GCL Systems Integration New Energy, and Trina Solar were the top solar module suppliers in 1H 2024, according to Mercom’s India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2024. Jinko Solar led the module shipments in the first half of the year, followed by LONGi Green Energy Technology and Waaree Energies. GCL Systems Integration New Energy and Trina Solar made up the top five. The top five suppliers contributed to 46.1% of module capacities shipped to domestic solar projects.

Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam has invited bids to standardize rates and select contractors for 26 MW of grid-connected and off-grid rooftop solar systems under engineering, procurement, and construction mode. The last date to submit the bids is December 9, 2024. Bids will be opened on January 2, 2025.

The Tinsukia Division of Northeast Frontier Railway has floated a tender to provide 1.38 MW rooftop solar power systems at stations, service buildings, residential buildings, and gates under its jurisdiction. The last date for the submission of bids is December 12, 2024. The scope of work includes five years of operation and maintenance, during which all materials used must comply with the Indian Standards Institute or Ministry of New and Renewable Energy accredited laboratory certification standards. Additionally, bidders are required to adhere to the Make in India policy by ensuring the inclusion of local content. The advertised value of the project is ₹78.17 million (~$927,678). Bidders will have eight months to complete the project.

The Sonpur Division (Electrical) of Central Railway has invited bids to set up a 1.24 MW rooftop solar system in Bihar through a public-private partnership. The power generated will be supplied to Railways for 25 years at a tariff of ₹5.59 (~$0.066)/kWh. The last date to submit the bids is December 13, 2024.

Sweden-headquartered battery developer and manufacturer Northvolt AB has filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. The company will seek to restructure under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code. The company also announced that Peter Carlsson will step down as CEO and transition into a role as Senior Advisor. He will also continue to serve as a Member of the Board. The Chapter 11 filings have been listed in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The process will allow Northvolt access to new funding sources, including approximately $145 million in cash collateral.

Construction has officially commenced on the Emirates Water and Electricity Company’s 1.5 GW Al Ajban solar project led by EDF Renewables Middle East in partnership with Masdar and Korea Western Power Co. in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The project will feature more than 3 million solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers. Once operational in Q3 2026, Al Ajban is expected to generate enough electricity to power 160,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 2.4 million tons annually. The Al Ajban project reached financial close in September after securing funding from six banks, including BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, and HSBC Middle East.

Jinko Power Technology Co., has announced the financial close of its 400 MW Tabarjal solar project in Saudi Arabia, paving the way for construction to begin. The project’s financing is supported by long-term, non-recourse funding from Riyadh Bank and the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation. Following the financial close, the Saudi Power Procurement Company, the main off-taker, has approved construction mobilization, with Jackson Green Consortium selected as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor. The Tabarjal project is located 17 kilometers northeast of Tabarjal in the Al-Jouf Province and was awarded under the fourth round of the National Renewable Energy Program tenders.