The Solar Energy Corporation of India has invited bids to set up 2,000 MW inter-state transmission system-connected solar power projects with 1,000 MW/4,000 MWh energy storage systems in India under Tranche XVII. The last day to submit the bids is September 2, 2024. Bids will be opened on September 5. Bidders must submit a bid document fee of ₹50,000 (~$597) and a bid processing fee of ₹20,000 (~$238)/ MW.

The transformative technologies reshaping the energy landscape were explored during the session titled “Exploring Next-Generation Technologies Driving the Clean Energy Market” on the first day of the two-day Mercom India Renewables Summit 2024, held in New Delhi. The session featured Mehul Sharma, CEO of India Sunpure Technology, Manish Narula, Executive Vice President for South Asia at Jinko Solar, Manish Relan, AVP Sales – (Solar Modules) at Swelect Energy, and Mayank Mishra, Senior Sales Director for India at Nextracker.

BrightNight, a renewable energy provider that delivers clean, dispatchable power solutions to utility, commercial, and industrial clients, has secured a $440 million strategic investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives‘ Infrastructure division. The company said the transaction is expected to close in September 2024. BofA Securities and PJT Partners acted as financial advisors to BrightNight, while Jefferies LLC served as the sole financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges as legal counsel to Goldman Sachs Alternatives.

Kolkata-based power utility Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) has acquired a 63.91% equity stake in Purvah Green Power at the cost of ₹2.05 billion (~$24.48 million). Purvah was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crescent Power, which is a subsidiary of CESC. The stake acquisition makes Purvah a direct subsidiary of CESC. Crescent Power acquired a 100% stake in Purvah in March this year. In a regulatory filing, CESC said it acquired the 63.91% stake by subscribing to 205 million equity shares of ₹10 (~$0.12) each for an aggregate consideration amounting to ₹ 2.05 billion (~$ 24.48 million).

Delhi-based solar irrigation services company Oorja Development Solutions closed its Pre-Series A funding round, raising $1.5 million from six investors. The company plans to use the funding to deploy agri-energy infrastructure for irrigation and milling and deepen operations in the existing and new states. It also plans to launch a B2B2C vertical to deliver solar irrigation solutions to agribusinesses and SMEs who engage with smallholder farmers for procurement.

Electric vehicle (EV) users in Karnataka will have to get sanctions from distribution licensees to install EV chargers in non-designated areas, according to a new Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission order. Karnataka has developed standard operating guidelines for all EV users due to the confusion and inconsistency within the residential EV charging space. The rules include tariffs for EV charging and installing the chargers in designated and non-designated areas.

The Assam Power Generation Corporation has floated a tender to provide project management consultancy services for setting up the 50 MW Lower Kopili Solar PV project. The last date to submit is August 7, 2024. Bids will be opened on August 8. The scope of work covers project management services, design and engineering, project monitoring, site supervision and reporting, and coordinating with the company to complete tasks in a stipulated time.

North America-based solar PV module manufacturer Heliene has announced a joint venture with Premier Energies, a manufacturer of solar cells and modules in India, to establish a solar cell manufacturing facility in the U.S. The unit is expected to produce an aggregate capacity of 1 GW of N-type cells annually to meet the cell requirements of the two companies. The companies plan to capitalize on incentives and tax credits for domestic clean energy manufacturing introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.

U.S.-based residential solar firm Sunnova Energy reported a 21% narrower net loss for the second quarter of 2024 at $79.7 million, an improvement from the $100.8 million loss reported last year, primarily due to higher revenue and investment tax credit sales resulting in an income tax benefit. The Houston, Texas-based company’s quarterly revenue surged 32% to $219.6 million, up from $166.4 million last year, driven by a $55.9 million increase in revenue from core adaptive energy customers.