Goodluck India, Arctech, Strolar Mounting Systems, Raydean Industries, and Metalkraft Forming Industries were the top five module mounting structure suppliers to the Indian solar market in the first half (1H) of the calendar year (CY) 2024, according to Mercom’s India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2024. Goodluck India led the solar module mounting structure shipments with a market share of 25.5%. Arctech and Strolar Mounting Systems followed with 15.5% and 14.9% of the shipments.

Waaree Group has won Rewa Ultra Mega Solar’s (RUMSL) auction to develop a 170 MW solar power project at the Neemuch Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh. The company quoted a tariff of ₹2.15(~$0.025)/kWh to win the auction. The project is financed by the World Bank with the International Finance Corporation providing transaction advisory support.

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a series of clarifications on implementing the Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) Regulations 2024. Earlier this year, the Commission had issued the GEOA regulations. The clarifications came in response to a request by the Andhra Pradesh State Load Despatch Centre. The Commission notified that ₹2 (~$0.023)/kWh must be paid for the unutilized banked energy from renewable energy generators for FY 2024-25.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has introduced List-II for Solar PV Cells under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). It will be effective from June 1, 2026. The inclusion of solar cells in ALMM addresses the growing domestic production capacity. Until now, only solar modules have been covered in the ALMM. In September, MNRE issued a draft amendment to the ALMM Order to include solar cells in the ALMM framework.

NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC REL) has invited bids for the balance of system (BoS) package for a 1,200 MW ISTS-connected solar project in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The last date to submit bids is January 14, 2025. The cost of the bidding document is ₹22,500 (~$265.6). Bidders must furnish a bid security amount of ₹100 million (~$1.2 million) for one block (300 MW), ₹200 million (~$2.3 million) for two or three blocks, and ₹500 million (~$5.9 million) for four blocks.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have invented a water-soluble chemical additive — a soft-hard zwitterionic trapper that improves the performance of bromide aqueous flow batteries. The solution is an additive called a complexing agent. The researchers used molecular design to engineer over 500 candidate organic molecules they call “soft-hard zwitterionic trappers.” They synthesized and tested 13 of these representative molecules as potential additives for the bromide batteries.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board has floated 12 tenders for a total capacity of 353 MW grid-connected solar power projects. The last date to submit bids is February 3, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day. The project is funded by BDBP’s revenue budget. The international tenders will involve a one-stage, two-envelope bidding process. Bidders must submit BDT25,000 (~$207.038) for each tender as a bid document fee. They must submit a bid security fee of BDT250,000 (~$2,070.38) for each tender.

The Saudi Power Procurement Company has finalized power purchase agreements for three solar photovoltaic projects totalling 1.7 GW as part of its National Renewable Energy Program (NREP). SPCC confirmed these agreements under the program’s fifth round, where it also shortlisted bids for an additional 3.7 GW capacity. The projects under NREP are the Al-Masaa, Al-Henakiyah 2, and Rabigh 2 independent power plants (IPPs).

France-based energy company EDF has announced plans to explore the development of a 5 GW pumped hydro storage facility in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The proposed facility is designed to store energy for up to 12 hours, a critical feature for ensuring grid reliability as renewable energy increasingly contributes to the energy mix. The move is part of the company’s commitment to advancing energy storage solutions and supporting the UAE’s clean energy transition.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued final regulations for the Section 48 Energy Credit, also known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which typically provides a 30% tax credit for clean energy projects. This credit starts at a base rate of 6%, but projects can qualify for the full 30% if they meet prevailing wage requirements. Additionally, projects located in eligible energy communities can receive an extra 10% tax credit. Another 10% credit is available for projects that use domestic content.