India added 387 MW of rooftop solar capacity in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023, down 20% from 485 MW in Q1. According to the newly released Q2 2023 Mercom India Rooftop Solar Market Report, rooftop installations dropped 0.5% year-over-year. Priya Sanjay, Managing Director of Mercom India, said, “The downward trajectory of costs began in the quarter, and to see the tangible impact of this shift will require time. Effects of the cost reduction are anticipated to manifest more prominently in the upcoming quarters.”

Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has invited bids to set up 22 public electric vehicle charging stations at various locations under its jurisdiction. The project will be developed on a build, own, and operate basis. The successful bidder will have to take care of the operation and maintenance of the project for eight years. The last date to submit the bids online is September 14, 2023. Bids will be opened on September 18. The project’s estimated cost is ₹151.8 million (~$1.84 million).

The 2,050 MW Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka is going in for expansion with a proposed capacity addition of 3,000 MW. As one of the first steps towards expanding the park, the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation has invited expressions of interest to acquire lands on lease from landholders in two villages in the Tumkur district to develop two solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 3,000 MW.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have proposed rules and guidelines under the Inflation Reduction Act to harmonize sustainable energy and employment opportunities and solidify commitment to the “Investing in America” agenda. In August 2022, when the Act was introduced, it proposed $369.75 billion in energy security and climate change programs over the next ten years.

Japan’s Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators has concluded the 17th auction for 69.07 MW of grid-connected solar power projects, announcing 55 successful bidders. The total bid capacity in the auction was 110.89 MW. The lowest tariff revealed in the auction was ¥8.95 (~$0.061)/kWh, and the weighted average winning bid was ¥9.30 (~$0.063)/kWh. The highest bid price was ¥9.43 (~$0.065)/kWh.