Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

The Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh, replying to a question at the Lok Sabha, informed about approving over 700,000 smart meters to be installed across the country under the National Smart Grid Mission.  In Chandigarh, 29,500 smart meters are currently being installed under Sub Division 5 Project and 184,000 under Complete City Project; the projects are scheduled to be completed by March 2022. In Jharkhand, 360,000 smart meters are being tendered under Ranchi City Project; the project is expected to be completed by March 2024. In Rajasthan, 150,000 smart meters are being installed under the 6 Towns Integrated Project; the project is scheduled to be completed by March 2022. Smart meters have the advantages of remote metering and billing, implementation of peak and off-peak tariffs, and demand-side management through demand response. These benefits would soon become crucial for load generation balancing due to the increasing penetration of renewables.

Spain-based electric utility company Iberdrola has announced the signing of the first Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) loan for green hydrogen technology. The €6 million (~$7.08 million) loan will enable the construction of the first public green hydrogen project in Spain to supply renewable hydrogen to a fleet of buses operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). With this backing from the ICO, Iberdrola is planning to build the first private hydrogen project in the country on a site size of 5,000 sqm in the Barcelona free trade area.

Switzerland-based Meyer Burger is set to expand its product portfolio with innovative solar roof tiles. In addition to the high-performance solar modules already offered for standard roof-mounted installation, customers will also be offered a roof-integrated solar system. Meyer Burger has acquired full intellectual property from a German engineering service provider specializing in photovoltaics and electric mobility innovations, including all associated patents, certifications, German national technical approval, and technical know-how. The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the transaction. First deliveries of the new solar roof solution are scheduled for the second half of 2022.

Residential solar company Sunnova Energy is partnering with National Grid and SolarEdge Technologies to utilize its fleet of solar and storage assets in New England to help improve power quality in National Grid’s service area. Sunnova’s aggregated residential solar and storage portfolio delivers over 150 GWh of energy per annum to New England’s homeowners and its grid. Sunnova and SolarEdge will provide voltage support across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.