NTPC has invited bids for the implementation of a 120 MW ground-mounted and a 56 MW floating solar project at NTPC Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Plant in Telangana. The scope of work encompasses the construction of both ground-mounted and floating solar installations, as well as the establishment of a power evacuation system, which includes the procurement and installation of PV modules within the specified area. The last date for the submission of bids is October 20, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The Indian government is set to divest up to 4.92% of its stake in the state-owned power company SJVN through an Offer for Sale (OFS). The floor price for this stake has been set at ₹69 (~$0.83)/share. This OFS plan involves the government’s sale of a base offer comprising 2.46% of the company’s equity, with an additional 2.46% retained as an oversubscription option. The offering will commence on September 21, targeting non-retail investors, followed by retail investors on September 22.

Voyants Solutions, a consulting firm, has been declared the winner in the auction conducted by TUSCO, a joint venture company of THDC India and the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency, to select an environmental and social impact assessment consultant for the development of 600 MW of solar power projects in the Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh. Voyants Solutions quoted a price of ₹2.53 million (~$30,437) in the auction.

PFC Consulting, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation, has invited bids to commission 1,250 MW interstate transmission system -connected solar projects under the program for flexibility in generating and scheduling of thermal-hydro power stations through bundling with renewable energy and storage. The last day to submit the bids is October 12, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day. Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of ₹464,000 (~$5,579)/MW of quoted capacity.

The solar industry is rapidly evolving, with larger solar modules that generate over 600 W+ becoming the new standard. Project designs are being upgraded to harness the increased power of these larger modules, which necessitates the upgradation of all the associated equipment, especially inverters. Mercom’s webinar ‘Cutting Edge PV Inverters Optimizing Generation from Advanced Technology Modules’ will shed light on the technical and financial implications for solar PV projects on September 26, 2023, at 11 AM.

In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Sushain Sharma, Managing Director, Stem India, talks about the company’s energy storage offerings and plans for India. He also shares his thoughts on the Indian government’s policies to promote energy storage. Stem offers integrated solutions to improve returns and maximize the economic, environmental, and resiliency value across energy assets, including storage, solar, and electric vehicle charging.

Silfab Solar, a North America-based solar panel manufacturer, is expanding its presence in the United States by setting up operations in York County, Pennsylvania. With a $150 million investment, the company is setting up a facility to produce 1 GW of cells and 1.2 GW of modules annually. The company has secured a 785,000-square-foot lease in Fort Mill, South Carolina, to serve as the foundation for its upcoming operations, which is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

A recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems has demonstrated the immense potential of triple-junction solar cells composed of perovskite-perovskite-silicon subcells. The Fraunhofer ISE research team, led by Juliane Borchert, Group Leader for Perovskite-Silicon Technologies, has achieved an open-circuit voltage exceeding 2.8 volts in their perovskite-perovskite-silicon solar cell.