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IREDA Secures $172 Million ECB Facility from SBI Tokyo

NTPC REL Tenders 672 MW Wind Project in Maharashtra

NTPC Renewable Energy Invites Bids for 813 MW Wind Project in Karnataka

Solar Module Capacity under ALMM Rises to 74.23 GW

Through Agrivoltaics, Farmers Can Earn Dual Income from Crops and Solar: Interview


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					</table><p>Solar project developers <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-developers-fear-module-price-hikes-after-import-duties-on-solar-glass" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anticipate</a> a rise in module prices to drive up overall project costs following the recent import duties on solar glass. Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry imposed anti-dumping duty from $658/MT to $664/MT for imports from China and $570/MT to $664/MT from Vietnam. The Ministry also imposed countervailing duties ranging from $539/MT to $664/MT. Glass manufacturer Borosil Renewable initiated the investigation into the alleged dumping of solar glass from China and Vietnam into the domestic market.</p>
<p>The Andhra Pradesh Energy Department <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-clean-energy-policy-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> operational guidelines on resource allocation, land allotment, grid connectivity, open access, banking facility, project migration, fees, and incentives under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024. The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) will develop a unified portal for granting approvals, allocating resources and implementing clean energy projects and renewable manufacturing plants. Applications and approvals for clean energy projects and renewable manufacturing plants must be completed online via the unified portal.</p>
<p>The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-commission-approves-tariff-for-procuring-5-gw-solar-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> the tariff for Maharashtra Electricity Distribution Company’s (MSEDCL) procurement of 5,008 MW of solar power from projects under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY) – 2.0. The approved tariff ranges between ₹2.82 (~$0.032) and ₹3.10 (~$0.036)/kWh. The petitioner, MSEDCL, followed a cluster-wise and individual substation-wise tendering approach. The Commission approved bid documents and deviations for the solarization of agricultural feeders of 7,000 MW in 2023.</p>
<p>Utilizing solar energy to <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-powered-water-atms-provide-clean-drinking-water-to-100-villages" target="_blank" rel="noopener">provide</a> clean drinking water to remote villages in India, Boon, a Gurugram-based water tech startup, has been installing solar-powered and AI-enabled water ATMs that dispense clean drinking water at a minimal price. The company has installed over 1,000 solar-powered water ATMs in over 100 villages spread across the country, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.</p>
<p>Ahmedabad-based Amrut Energy, a solar water pumps manufacturer and renewable energy solutions provider, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/amrut-energy-raises-%E2%82%B91-billion-to-expand-solar-water-pump-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> ₹1 billion (~$11.49 million) funding from private equity investors. The company aims to utilize the investment to expand manufacturing capabilities, drive research and development, and scale operations across underserved regions. It will also use the new investment to accelerate innovation in solar technology, improve production efficiency, and extend its market reach to regions with limited access to reliable irrigation solutions.</p>
<p>JSW Neo Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/jsw-neo-acquires-renewable-energy-firm-virya-infrapower-for-%E2%82%B975-4-million" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquired</a> a 100% stake in Virya Infrapower for ₹75.4 million (~$866,000) in an all-cash transaction. The acquisition was completed on March 12, 2025, the same day the share purchase agreement (SPA) was signed. This purchase makes Virya Infrapower a step-down subsidiary of JSW Energy.  The acquisition enables JSW Neo access to a ready power site with the necessary infrastructure for accelerated project development in the renewable energy sector. After the post-closing adjustments outlined in the SPA, the acquisition will be finalized with full cash payment.</p>
<p>Renewable energy engineering, procurement and construction company Gensol Engineering <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/gensol-engineering-to-raise-%E2%82%B96-billion-via-bonds-and-promoter-warrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided</a> to raise ₹6 billion (~$68.9 million) by issuing ₹4 billion (~$45.9 million) worth of foreign currency convertible bonds and ₹2 billion (~$22.9 million) from warrants to promoters. Through this fundraising, the company aims to reduce debt, and maximize value for its stakeholders. Currently, the company is under a debt of ₹11.46 billion (~$131.6 million) against reserves of ₹5.89 billion (~$67.6 million). After achieving the targeted fundraise, the company’s reserves are expected to reach ₹12 billion (~$137.8 million), improving its current debt-equity ratio from 1.95 to 0.44.</p>
<p>The Agricultural Department of Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ratnagiri-zilla-parishad-in-maharashtra-tenders-1-mw-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up a 1 MW solar project at Kapadgaon village, Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra. The project will have a ground-mounted, unipolar-tracked, and seasonal-tilt arrangement. Bids must be submitted by March 26, 2025. Bids will be opened on March 28. Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹500,000 (~$5,734) and a tender document fee of ₹50,000 (~$573). The scope of work entails the design, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the project. It also includes providing operations and maintenance (O&amp;M) services for five years.</p>
<p>The United States <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/us-adds-50-gw-of-new-solar-capacity-in-2024-a-21-yoy-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">installed</a> a record 50 GW of new solar capacity in 2024, a 21% year-over-year rise, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association’s U.S. Solar Market Insight 2024 Year in Review report. The capacity addition in 2024 is the highest added to the grid by any energy technology in over two decades, according to the report. The U.S. solar capacity is expected to reach 739 GW by 2035. However, sudden shifts in federal tax credits, supply chain access, and permitting policies can lead to uncertainty for investors, raise costs for developers and manufacturers, and slow down solar deployment.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Import Duties on Solar Glass May Increase Module Prices


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					</table><p>The Agricultural Department of <a href="https://www.zpratnagiri.org/pgeHome.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad</a> has invited bids to set up a 1 MW solar project at Kapadgaon village, Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra.</p>
<p>The project will have a ground-mounted, unipolar-tracked, and seasonal-tilt arrangement.</p>
<p>Bids must be submitted by March 26, 2025. Bids will be opened on March 28.</p>
<p>Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹500,000 (~$5,734) and a tender document fee of ₹50,000 (~$573).</p>
<p>The scope of work entails the design, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the project. It also includes providing operations and maintenance (O&amp;M) services for five years.</p>
<p>Selected bidders must only use modules empaneled under the Approved List of Module Manufacturers.</p>
<p>The project&#8217;s estimated cost is ₹54.47 million (~$624,719). It must be completed within six months from the award date.</p>
<p>Bidders must have worked as contractors or subcontractors in at least one completed project with a minimum capacity of 3,000 kW in the last five years.</p>
<p>Bidders must also have completed O&amp;M for at least one solar project with a minimum capacity of 3,000 kW in the last ten years.</p>
<p>They must also have set up a solar grid-connected project with a unipolar single-axis tracked arrangement of at least 3,000 kW capacity. Bidders must have completed such projects with either self-owned systems or as engineering, procurement, and construction contractors.</p>
<p>Bidder must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹250 million (~$2.8 million). Alternatively, they must own a 3,000 kW solar project for the last three years.</p>
<p>They must also have a positive net worth.</p>
<p>In February last year, the department <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-tender-1-mw-solar-ratnagiri" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up a 1 MW ground-mounted solar project in the Vervelli village in Maharashtra. The project had to be completed within six months of receiving the work order.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of real-time tender activity.</p>


Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad in Maharashtra Tenders 1 MW Solar Project


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					</table><p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/red-sea-shipping-crisis-hits-solar-modules" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prices of solar modules shipped from Asia to Europe have jumped as much as 20% as trade disruptions in the Red Sea, which carries 12% of the world’s seaborne trade</strong></a>, have spiked freight costs. Since mid-November, heightened hostilities from Houthi militia targeting vessels passing through the Red Sea have resulted in swaths of merchant fleet avoiding the key trade route. The Red Sea connects to the Suez Canal—the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/sjvn-green-signs-power-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SJVN Green Energy, the wholly owned subsidiary of </strong><strong>SJVN</strong><strong>, has entered into a power usage agreement with Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited</strong></a> for 300 MW solar power capacity. The 300 MW of power will be supplied to JKPCL from the 1,000 MW Bikaner solar project being developed under the Central Public Sector Undertaking program of the India Renewable Energy Development Agency at a cost of ₹54.91 billion (~$662.3 million).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/telangana-invites-bids-solar-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation has invited bids to set up two on-grid ground-mounted solar power projects</strong></a> with a cumulative capacity of 1,000 kW under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Yojana in Telangana. The scope of work includes design, supply, installation, and commissioning, using mono-PERC solar modules with sprinkler or water jet system and pipelining for module cleaning, and comprehensive maintenance for ten years.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-tender-1-mw-solar-ratnagiri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Agriculture Department of </strong><strong>Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad</strong><strong> has invited bids to set up a 1 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Vervelli village in Maharashtra</strong></a>. The estimated cost of the solar project is ₹66.3 million (~$799,759), which is inclusive of the total system cost and its installation, commissioning, transportation, insurance, comprehensive maintenance contract for five years, and fees and taxes.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/new-technology-ev-batteries-charge-faster" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scientists at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory have developed a new manufacturing process called BatMan</strong></a> that could improve electric vehicle (EV) batteries by making them charge faster and drive further. The new technology uses lasers to create small pore networks in battery electrodes. This allows ions to move through the battery more quickly during charging and discharging, resulting in faster charge times.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Red Sea Shipping Crisis Hits Solar Module Prices


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					</table><p>The Agriculture Department of <a href="https://www.zpratnagiri.org/pgeHome.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad</a> has invited bids to set up a 1 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Vervelli village in Maharashtra.</p>
<p>The estimated cost of the solar project is ₹66.3 million (~$799,759), which is inclusive of the total system cost and its installation, commissioning, transportation, insurance, comprehensive maintenance contract for five years, and fees and taxes.</p>
<p>The project has to be completed within six months of receiving the work order.</p>
<p>The scope of work includes design, supply, construction and erection, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance for five years.</p>
<p>The last date for submission of bids is March 4, 2024. Bids will be opened on the following day.</p>
<p>Bidders have to submit a tender document fee of ₹60,000 (~$722) and furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹500,000 ($6,024).</p>
<p>The net worth of the bidders for the last financial year should be positive. Their minimum average annual turnover from operations must be ₹250 million ($3.02 million) or possess minimum ownership of 2 MW solar power projects over the last five financial years.</p>
<p>Bidders should demonstrate experience as a contractor or subcontractor in at least one contract that has been completed within the last ten years. The value of the bidder’s participation must exceed ₹250 million ($3.02 million) in a solar project with a minimum capacity of 3,000 kW.</p>
<p>Further, bidders must have experience in establishing a minimum of 3 MW of unipolar tracked, with Seasonal Tilt Mechanism, ground-mounted solar power project. This should either be self-owned or as an engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.</p>
<p>Only solar modules that are empaneled or IEC-certified under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy specifications can be used in the project.</p>
<p>Last May, Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-1-mw-ground-mounted-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to commission a 1 MW solar project in Golap district.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of real-time tender activity.</p>


Maharashtra Floats Tender for 1 MW Solar Project in Ratnagiri


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					</table><p>The Agriculture Department of <a href="https://www.zpratnagiri.org/pgeHome.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad</a> has invited bids to commission a 1 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Golap, Maharashtra.</p>
<p>The project should be a ground-mounted unipolar-tracked, seasonal-tilt arrangement.</p>
<p>It should be completed within six months of receiving the work order. The developer should also oversee the project&#8217;s operation and maintenance service for three years.</p>
<p>The last day to submit the project is June 1, 2023. Bids will be opened on the next day.</p>
<p>Bidders should submit an earnest money deposit of ₹510,000 (~$6,170). The selected bidders should furnish a security deposit of 3% of the project cost.</p>
<p>Bidders should have commissioned a solar project of at least 3 MW capacity at a single location, along with the installation of a minimum 33 kV transmission line. They should possess the synchronization permission and provide a commercial operation date certificate from MSEDCL.</p>
<p>Additionally, they should have extended the transmission line by approximately 4 to 5 kilometers, ensuring compliance with right-of-way regulations.</p>
<p>Cumulative commissioned solar capacity will not be considered for this project.</p>
<p>Bidders should have an average annual turnover of ₹250 million (~$3.02 million) from operations or ownership of 3 MW solar projects during the last three years.</p>
<p>The modules must be warranted for their material, manufacturing defects, and workmanship for ten years. The output peak watt capacity should not be less than 90% at the end of 10 years and 80% at the end of 25 years.</p>
<p>The developer should ensure a capacity utilization factor of 20%.</p>
<p>If the developer fails to commission the project within the stipulated time, liquidated damages will be levied at 0.5% per week, up to 10% of the delayed work value beyond the contract period.</p>
<p>Maharashtra State Power Generation Company <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-bids-62-mw-solar-project-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for installing and commissioning a 62 MW grid-connected solar power project with the associated high-tension overhead transmission line, underground cable, and electrical equipment in Akola, Maharashtra.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom&#8217;s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of real-time tender and auction activity.</p>


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