The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development invited bids from consultancy firms to prepare a detailed project report for developing a 500 MW solar park in Bidar. The last date for the submission of bids is September 14, 2023. Bidders already prequalified by the Karnataka government can participate in the bidding process. The scope of the work includes the preparation of feasibility and detailed project reports, solar resource assessments, estimation of energy yield, and optimization of plot sizing, layout, and infrastructure.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy decided to extend the waiver of the domestic content requirement (DCR) for solar cells used for projects under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan program until March 31, 2024. The move is a continuation of the memorandum issued by the Ministry on August 1, 2022, which extended the DCR waiver until June 20, 2023.

Power distribution companies in Karnataka, beginning this year, proposed revised tariffs for low-tension and high-tension consumers, introducing grid support charges that may discourage captive open access power projects. The proposal is pending the approval of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission. If the proposal receives the green light, captive power projects will have to factor in an additional grid-support fee ranging from ₹1.57 ($0.019)/kWh to ₹2.85 ($0.035)/kWh.

Punjab Electricity Development Agency has invited bids to develop a green hydrogen and compressed biogas project based on cattle dung, vegetable, ‘mandi’ waste, poultry droppings, municipal segregated green waste, agro waste, and other organic waste on a build, own, and operate basis at the Haibowal Dairy complex in Ludhiana. The last date to submit the bids online is October 4, 2023. Bids will be opened on October 6.

The U.S. added 6.4 GW of small-scale solar capacity in 2022, which marks the highest annual growth ever recorded in the domain of small-scale solar energy production, according to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Small-scale solar, often referred to as distributed solar or rooftop solar, encompasses solar-power systems with a capacity of 1 MW or less. Most of the small-scale solar capacity in the U.S. resides atop residential buildings in the form of rooftop solar modules.

France installed 1,378 MW of solar capacity in the first half of 2023, compared to 1,233 MW installed in the same period of the previous year. The country recorded 11.2 TWh of solar power generation during the January- June period, an increase of 18% year-over-year. It accounted for 4.7% of France’s electricity consumption, representing 0.9% year-over-year growth. France’s total installed solar capacity was 18 GW as of June 30, 2023, with 17.3 GW in mainland France.

Germany’s recent onshore wind energy auction garnered bids for only 1,436 MW despite the initial auction volume being reduced to 1,667 MW from 3,192 MW due to concerns of low interest, according to the Federal Network Agency. Out of the 142 bids received for a combined volume of 1,436 MW, one bid was disqualified due to a formal error. As a result, the agency awarded 1,433 MW across 141 successful bids.

Mercom India is hosting the second edition of the Clean Energy Meet series, “C&I Clean Energy Meet 2023,” which will bring together commercial and industrial consumers in the country to engage with renewable energy solution providers and gain insights into procuring green power and saving on operating costs. The event in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, is scheduled for September 15, 2023, at Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, Race Course.

China-headquartered solar photovoltaics company Trina Solar has announced plans to invest over $200 million to build a solar module manufacturing facility in Wilmer, Texas. The facility, spanning over 1 million square feet, will manufacture 5 GW of solar modules and secure its supply of polysilicon from both the United States and Europe. Expected to commence production in 2024, the Wilmer facility will produce large power output Vertex modules and use 210 mm large-size wafers.