India added 3.6 GW of solar open access capacity in the first half (1H) of 2024, a 153% increase from the 1.4 GW installed during the same period in 2023, according to the Q2 2024 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report. The capacity added in the first half of this year exceeded the total annual installations of any previous year. This growth was driven by the availability of low-cost solar modules imported in earlier quarters. In the second quarter of 2024, India added nearly 1.8 GW of solar open access capacity, a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to the more than 1.8 GW installed in Q1 2024.

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has set a levelized tariff of ₹2.76 (~$0.03)/kWh for solar power projects below 5 MW commissioned between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2027. The tariff pertains to the procurement of power by distribution licensees and others from solar projects in Gujarat. The tariff has been set for a project life of 25 years. The Commission has set an accelerated depreciation benefit of ₹0.28 (~$0.003)/kWh and a net tariff of ₹2.48 (~$0.03)/kWh.

Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission has dismissed petitions filed by the state’s two power distribution companies, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, seeking approval to recover additional surcharge from open access consumers for the second half of the financial year (FY) 2023-24. Background The DISCOMs submitted petitions to determine an additional surcharge using actual data from the first half of FY 2023-24. They argued that the surcharge was needed to address costs related to stranded power—electricity generated but unused due to decreased demand from open-access consumers.

Reliance Industries has secured 10 GWh of Advanced Chemistry Cell battery storage manufacturing capacity under the Production Linked Incentive program by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Besides Reliance, MHI had received bids from six other companies — ACME Cleantech Solutions, Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies, Anvi Power Industries (Gensol Group), JSW Neo Energy, Lucas TVS, and Waaree Energies – for a total capacity of 70 GWh. After evaluation, six companies were shortlisted for financial review based on the tender’s criteria.

Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency has issued two requests for proposals for the engineering, procurement, and commissioning of 14 MW of grid-connected ground-mounted solar projects on government land in Palamu and East Singhbhum districts. The last date to submit bids is September 23, 2024. Bids will be opened on September 25. Bidders must pay a performance security deposit of 5% of the operation and maintenance contract price. The projects must be completed in 12 months.

Delhi-based Jakson Green is investing $240 million to develop a 2.5 GW solar cell manufacturing plant. The company also plans to expand its 1.2 GW module manufacturing facility in Greater Noida to 2 GW. The solar cells will be of TopCon technology. The company plans to keep the facility technology agnostic to ensure an easy transitioning into emerging technologies. The location of the new unit will be finalized in a few months as the company is in talks with the state governments. The company plans to set up the 2.5 GW cell facility in two phases.

Maxeon Solar Technologies, a Singapore-based solar solutions provider, reported a revenue of $184.22 million for the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, a 47.1% decrease year-over-year  with total shipments of 526 MW. The company reported a net income of $11.66 million for the quarter, a substantial improvement from the net loss of $1.51 million in the same quarter a year ago. Maxeon’s adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) loss for Q2 2024 was $36.57 million, from $30.24 million during Q2 2023.