The government has launched pilot projects aimed at decarbonizing the steel sector using green hydrogen under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has said. The steel industry accounts for around 7% of greenhouse gas emissions annually and is one of the most polluting industries worldwide. The program aims to support the deployment of green hydrogen and its derivatives as fuel in the iron and steel-making process. It has an outlay of ₹4.55 billion (~$54.8 million) until the financial year 2029-30.

Free electricity will be provided for households with a consumption of less than 300 units a month by installing rooftop solar systems on their homes. Central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) will be availing loans for setting up the systems, which will now carry a subsidy of 60% in place of the earlier 40%

Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam has discovered the lowest tariff of ₹2.42 (~$0.029) /kWh in the auction for 300 MW grid-connected solar power projects under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan program at various locations in the state.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India, on behalf of the National Institute of Wind Energy, has invited bids for the allocation of sea-bed lease rights for 4 GW offshore wind power projects on a build-own-operate basis. The last date for submitting bids is May 6, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day.

The Assam Power Generation Corporation (APGCL) has floated a tender for a 25 MW ground-mounted solar power project on a turnkey basis at Namrup Thermal Power Station in Dibrugarh district. APGCL, along with Oil India, will form a joint venture and develop the solar project on about 107 acres of land at the Namrup power station.

MNRE has allotted CPSUs state-wise responsibility for accelerating the implementation of rooftop solar programs across the country. The CPSUs designated under the program include POWERGRID, NTPC, THDC, SJVN, Energy Efficiency Services, Damodar Valley Corporation, North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, and NHPC.

Electric Vehicle ride-hailing platform Snap-E has raised $2.5 million in a pre-series A funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures. The company is expected to allocate these funds for talent acquisition and technology upgrades and introduce tech-enabled capabilities. With a 100% electric fleet that is committed to offering sustainable, efficient, and affordable mobility solutions, the company will also leverage the funds to expand to other geographical locations.

Solar tracker firm Nextracker reported a 38% year-over-year jump in its revenue for the third quarter (Q3) of the financial year (FY) 2023-24, helped by higher deliveries in the U.S. and supply chain optimization. The company’s net income, however, fell to $41.3 million in Q3 FY24 from $42.5 million last year when Nextracker was a subsidiary of diversified manufacturing company Flex.

Military Engineer Services has invited bids for 1.33 MW solar power projects at various locations at Jaipur Military Station. The last date for submission of bids is March 7, 2024. Bids will be opened on March 9. The planned schedule for the work within the tender scope is formulated using the Critical Path Method.

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that large-scale perovskite films, commonly used in solar technology, can be protected by liquid crystals that can respond to temperature change to avoid accumulating precipitation. The new protection method achieved a stabilized efficiency of 21% for solar modules with enhanced damp heat stability, that is, 85% relative humidity at 85 degrees Celsius and a size of 31 sq cm.