India added 25.3 GW of solar module capacity and 11.6 GW of solar cell capacity in the calendar year 2024, according to Mercom’s recently released State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2025 report. The manufacturing capacity additions in 2024 were primarily driven by demand from the solar project pipeline and the reimposition of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers order from April 2024.

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populated state, demonstrated significant potential for solar adoption. With ample sunshine for most of the year and government programs promoting clean energy usage, the state is emerging as a hub for solar installations, particularly in the residential segment. As per Mercom India’s Q4 & Annual 2024 India Rooftop Solar Market Report, the state ranked among the top states for rooftop solar installations.

The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) issued guidelines to support the development of floating solar projects across Kerala. The new ANERT guidelines identify two main categories of sites suitable for floating solar development. The first includes the reservoirs under the Kerala State Electricity Board and the Kerala Water Resources Department, which collectively offer a potential of 5,000 MW if just 10% of their area is utilized.

The Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) issued guidelines for implementing the state’s solar pump program, which provides DC solar pumps at subsidized rates. HAREDA provides subsidies under Component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyaan program for DC solar pumps with capacities from 3 HP to 10 HP. The solar pumps are divided into water-filled pumps with a normal controller and pumps with universal solar pump controllers.

Bihar State Power Generation Company invited bids for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 116 MW solar project and a 241 MWh battery energy storage system in the Lakhisarai district. The project’s estimated cost is ₹10.64 billion (~$123.39 million). Bids must be submitted by April 10, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. Successful bidders must complete the EPC work within 18 months of receiving the work order and undertake comprehensive operation and maintenance activities for ten years.

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a petition filed by Paschim Gujarat Vij Company to adopt tariffs for 276 MW of solar power projects under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan program. The approved tariffs range from ₹2.13 (~$0.026)/kWh to ₹3 (~$0.036)/kWh.

The Singareni Collieries Company floated two project management consultancy service tenders for solar with a combined capacity of 137 MW in Telangana. The scope of work includes the design engineering review of the EPC contractor, site management, inspection and testing, module inspection services, and plant performance testing. Bids for the first tender with a 107 MW capacity, must be submitted by April 30, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. Bids for the second tender with 30 MW capacity, must be submitted by April 29, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day.

Liquid air energy storage (LAES) could be a cost-effective long-term energy storage solution, according to a new study by an international research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The study suggests that LAES can provide a reliable method for storing and releasing electricity as needed. The LAES process involves three stages: charging, storing, and discharging. During charging, ambient air is cleaned, dried, and liquified using electricity.