The Amazons cover the largest place in Brazil in terms of land area. Most of the area is a tropical jungle teaming with untapped natural resources.

Brazilians shift to solar power amid electricity shortage

Along with providing energy the solar power industry also provides employment to thousands of people in the country. However, the shortage of solar panels and the decline in the import trade break the evolving power industry.

South Africa facing shortage in Solar Panels

<p>In a bid to become world`s first 100 per cent green energy metro rail network, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-modi-to-inaugurate-delhi-metros-green-line-today--146631&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjnisXrx9vhAhWP8HMBHc5LDYMQFggfMAk&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw266_YjQpDQmVT6vwubY-BI">DMRC</a>) started its operations through the support of solar energy on Violet line in between the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station to Central Secretariat station.</p>

<p>"To mark the beginning of this new arrangement, DMRC`s Managing Director, Dr Mangu Singh travelled in a Metro powered by solar energy along with Manu Srivastava, Chairperson, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Upendra Tripathi, Director General, International Solar Alliance and other senior officials," said DMRC.</p>

<p>The DMRC has received 27 megawatts (MW) solar power from Madhya Pradesh`s Rewa Solar Power Project, which will gradually increase it to 99 MW.</p>

<p>The rail corporation has a plan to run all its operations with the help of solar energy by 2021.</p>

<p>"On average, DMRC would be given 345 million units (MU) of power from Rewa every year. We are likely to start receiving 99 MW solar energy from the 750 MW park in Rewa from May 2019," DMRC officials said.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, the Union Minister of State for Power and Coal, Piyush Goyal presided over the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) between DMRC and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited.</p>

<p>"During Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s leadership and with the cooperation of all chief ministers of various states in the last three years, renewable energy has seen a growth of over 370 per cent.</p>

<p>As compared to 2,600 MW of installed solar power capacity in 2014, today in India, there is a total of 12,200 MW of installed solar power capacity and the country would achieve the 20,000MW solar power capacity target five years ahead of schedule by the end of 2017," the Union Minister noted.</p>


In a bid to become world`s first 100 per cent green energy metro rail network, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) started its operations through the support of solar energy on Violet line in between the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station to Central Secretariat station.

In a bid to become world`s first 100 per cent green energy metro rail network, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) started its operations through the support of solar energy on Violet line in between the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station to Central Secretariat station. "To mark the beginning of this new arrangement, DMRC`s Managing Director, Dr Mangu Singh travelled in a Metro powered by solar energy along with Manu Srivastava, Chairperson, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Upendra Tripathi, Director General, International Solar Alliance and other senior officials," said DMRC. The DMRC has received 27 megawatts (MW) solar power from Madhya Pradesh`s Rewa Solar Power Project, which will gradually increase it to 99 MW. The rail corporation has a plan to run all its operations with the help of solar energy by 2021. "On average, DMRC would be given 345 million units (MU) of power from Rewa every year. We are likely to start receiving 99 MW solar energy from the 750 MW park in Rewa from May 2019," DMRC officials said. On Wednesday, the Union Minister of State for Power and Coal, Piyush Goyal presided over the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) between DMRC and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited. "During Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s leadership and with the cooperation of all chief ministers of various states in the last three years, renewable energy has seen a growth of over 370 per cent. As compared to 2,600 MW of installed solar power capacity in 2014, today in India, there is a total of 12,200 MW of installed solar power capacity and the country would achieve the 20,000MW solar power capacity target five years ahead of schedule by the end of 2017," the Union Minister noted.

In a first, Delhi Metro runs on solar power; gets 27 MW power from Rewa project

<p>In a bid to become world`s first 100 per cent green energy metro rail network, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-modi-to-inaugurate-delhi-metros-green-line-today--146631&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjnisXrx9vhAhWP8HMBHc5LDYMQFggfMAk&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw266_YjQpDQmVT6vwubY-BI">DMRC</a>) started its operations through the support of solar energy on Violet line in between the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station to Central Secretariat station. "To mark the beginning of this new arrangement, DMRC`s Managing Director, Dr Mangu Singh travelled in a Metro powered by solar energy along with Manu Srivastava, Chairperson, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Upendra Tripathi, Director General, International Solar Alliance and other senior officials," said DMRC.The DMRC has received 27 megawatts (MW) solar power from Madhya Pradesh`s Rewa Solar Power Project, which will gradually increase it to 99 MW. The rail corporation has a plan to run all its operations with the help of solar energy by 2021."On average, DMRC would be given 345 million units (MU) of power from Rewa every year. We are likely to start receiving 99 MW solar energy from the 750 MW park in Rewa from May 2019," DMRC officials said. On Wednesday, the Union Minister of State for Power and Coal, Piyush Goyal presided over the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) between DMRC and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited. "During Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s leadership and with the cooperation of all chief ministers of various states in the last three years, renewable energy has seen a growth of over 370 per cent. As compared to 2,600 MW of installed solar power capacity in 2014, today in India, there is a total of 12,200 MW of installed solar power capacity and the country would achieve the 20,000MW solar power capacity target five years ahead of schedule by the end of 2017," the Union Minister noted.</p>


In a bid to become world`s first 100 per cent green energy metro rail network, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) started its operations through the support of solar energy on Violet line in between the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium metro station to Central Secretariat station. "To mark the beginning of this new arrangement, DMRC`s Managing Director, Dr Mangu Singh travelled in a Metro powered by solar energy along with Manu Srivastava, Chairperson, Rewa Ultra Mega Solar, Upendra Tripathi, Director General, International Solar Alliance and other senior officials," said DMRC.The DMRC has received 27 megawatts (MW) solar power from Madhya Pradesh`s Rewa Solar Power Project, which will gradually increase it to 99 MW. The rail corporation has a plan to run all its operations with the help of solar energy by 2021."On average, DMRC would be given 345 million units (MU) of power from Rewa every year. We are likely to start receiving 99 MW solar energy from the 750 MW park in Rewa from May 2019," DMRC officials said. On Wednesday, the Union Minister of State for Power and Coal, Piyush Goyal presided over the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) between DMRC and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMC) with Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited. "During Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s leadership and with the cooperation of all chief ministers of various states in the last three years, renewable energy has seen a growth of over 370 per cent. As compared to 2,600 MW of installed solar power capacity in 2014, today in India, there is a total of 12,200 MW of installed solar power capacity and the country would achieve the 20,000MW solar power capacity target five years ahead of schedule by the end of 2017," the Union Minister noted.

<p>China, blighted by pollution and long known for churning out cheap manufactured goods, is looking to dominate the high-end of a major growth market: solar power.</p>

<p>Under a new program, China is pushing the industry to mass market high-performance solar cells so far used mainly in high-tech products like satellites.</p>

<p>Making these cells more affordable will likely further boost a sector that has already disrupted global electricity generation.</p>

<p>It will also put pressure on international solar cell makers such as Canadian Solar, REC Solar, Sharp and Sunpower which compete with Chinese leaders including LONGi Green Energy Technology, Trina Solar, and JA Solar Holdings.</p>

<p>Under its 2017 &quot;Top Runner Program&quot;, China&#39;s National Energy Administration (NEA) plans to add 8-10 gigawatt (GW) of solar capacity to its existing 80 GW.</p>

<p>&quot;This shift ... could have far-reaching implications for the global solar industry, especially vaulting China into the top ranks of countries pursuing solar R&amp;D,&quot; Stanford University said in its 2017 report on the solar industry.</p>

<p><strong>Multi Out, Mono In</strong></p>

<p>World solar power generation capacity has ballooned to around 300 GW from just 1 GW in 2000, according to International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) data - and is set to double again by 2020.</p>

<p>That growth has largely relied on multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells - sometimes called polycrystalline - in which solar units consist of multiple silicon crystallines.</p>

<p>These have been cheaper to produce than the more efficient mono-crystalline cells, which are made from single crystalline units.</p>

<p>The price of multi-crystalline cells has dropped to well below 50 cents per watt from $80 in 1980.</p>

<p>But prices are now converging as China scales up production of mono-crystalline cells.</p>

<p>Energy Trend, a consultancy, says the average price of a Chinese high-efficiency, multi-crystalline cell is now $0.225 per watt, compared to just $0.319 for high-efficiency, mono-crystalline cells.</p>

<p>&quot;With poly-silicon products, we have seen the (development) ceiling. Now, we are ramping up investment of mono-solar,&quot; said Xie Tian, director of quality management at LONGi Green Energy Technology. &quot;Mono-crystalline can take more than 50 percent of the market,&quot; he said, up from around a fifth today.</p>

<p>Analysts say demand for mono-crystalline panels is already strong.</p>

<p>&quot;Many panel makers... can&#39;t meet orders. Their bookings are full until next year,&quot; said Jason Tsai of Energy Trend.</p>

<p><strong>Not New, But Better</strong></p>

<p>Mono-crystalline technology is not new, but because of its cost, has mainly been used in high-tech space products.</p>

<p>But its use is likely to increase as the cost differential narrows, meaning a higher efficiency can be had at a similar price.</p>

<p>Under the &quot;Top Runner&quot; program, pay-outs known as Feed-in-Tariffs will favour high-efficiency projects.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s much easier to meet the requirements on mono, therefore it (the program) is accelerating investment in mono,&quot; said Steve O&#39;Neil, CEO of REC Solar, a Singapore-based panel maker owned by Chinese state-owned ChemChina.</p>

<p>Germany&#39;s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy, a leader in solar development, said in July the record laboratory efficiency for mono-crystalline was 26.7 per cent per cell, versus 21.9 per cent for multi-crystalline.</p>

<p>While China is driving the shift into mono-crystalline, producers globally are adopting.</p>

<p>REC, for example, says it is starting to move into mono-crystallines after focusing largely on multi-crystalline cells.</p>

<p>&quot;We&#39;ve been looking into mono to further improve power output. In early July, we started production of a... mono solar panel specifically designed for Japan&#39;s residential market,&quot; O&#39;Neil said.</p>

<p>Solar cell development doesn&#39;t end with mono-crystalline cells, and China&#39;s competitors aren&#39;t sitting idle.</p>

<p>Fraunhofer has developed so-called multi-junction cells with an efficiency of 46 percent, and U.S. aerospace giant Boeing&#39;s Spectrolab is developing cells with similar efficiency.</p>


Under a new program, China is pushing the industry to mass market high-performance solar cells so far used mainly in high-tech products like satellites

China, blighted by pollution and long known for churning out cheap manufactured goods, is looking to dominate the high-end of a major growth market: solar power. Under a new program, China is pushing the industry to mass market high-performance solar cells so far used mainly in high-tech products like satellites. Making these cells more affordable will likely further boost a sector that has already disrupted global electricity generation. It will also put pressure on international solar cell makers such as Canadian Solar, REC Solar, Sharp and Sunpower which compete with Chinese leaders including LONGi Green Energy Technology, Trina Solar, and JA Solar Holdings. Under its 2017 "Top Runner Program", China's National Energy Administration (NEA) plans to add 8-10 gigawatt (GW) of solar capacity to its existing 80 GW. "This shift ... could have far-reaching implications for the global solar industry, especially vaulting China into the top ranks of countries pursuing solar R&D," Stanford University said in its 2017 report on the solar industry. Multi Out, Mono In World solar power generation capacity has ballooned to around 300 GW from just 1 GW in 2000, according to International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) data - and is set to double again by 2020. That growth has largely relied on multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells - sometimes called polycrystalline - in which solar units consist of multiple silicon crystallines. These have been cheaper to produce than the more efficient mono-crystalline cells, which are made from single crystalline units. The price of multi-crystalline cells has dropped to well below 50 cents per watt from $80 in 1980. But prices are now converging as China scales up production of mono-crystalline cells. Energy Trend, a consultancy, says the average price of a Chinese high-efficiency, multi-crystalline cell is now $0.225 per watt, compared to just $0.319 for high-efficiency, mono-crystalline cells. "With poly-silicon products, we have seen the (development) ceiling. Now, we are ramping up investment of mono-solar," said Xie Tian, director of quality management at LONGi Green Energy Technology. "Mono-crystalline can take more than 50 percent of the market," he said, up from around a fifth today. Analysts say demand for mono-crystalline panels is already strong. "Many panel makers... can't meet orders. Their bookings are full until next year," said Jason Tsai of Energy Trend. Not New, But Better Mono-crystalline technology is not new, but because of its cost, has mainly been used in high-tech space products. But its use is likely to increase as the cost differential narrows, meaning a higher efficiency can be had at a similar price. Under the "Top Runner" program, pay-outs known as Feed-in-Tariffs will favour high-efficiency projects. "It's much easier to meet the requirements on mono, therefore it (the program) is accelerating investment in mono," said Steve O'Neil, CEO of REC Solar, a Singapore-based panel maker owned by Chinese state-owned ChemChina. Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy, a leader in solar development, said in July the record laboratory efficiency for mono-crystalline was 26.7 per cent per cell, versus 21.9 per cent for multi-crystalline. While China is driving the shift into mono-crystalline, producers globally are adopting. REC, for example, says it is starting to move into mono-crystallines after focusing largely on multi-crystalline cells. "We've been looking into mono to further improve power output. In early July, we started production of a... mono solar panel specifically designed for Japan's residential market," O'Neil said. Solar cell development doesn't end with mono-crystalline cells, and China's competitors aren't sitting idle. Fraunhofer has developed so-called multi-junction cells with an efficiency of 46 percent, and U.S. aerospace giant Boeing's Spectrolab is developing cells with similar efficiency.

With high-performance cells, China takes aim at high-end solar market

<p align="JUSTIFY">As part of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in 2015, countries across the world came together and adopted a climate agreement whereby they indicated their long term climate goals post 2020. These goals or targets were laid out in each country&rsquo;s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) with the aim to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2&deg;C.</p>

<p>India and China have both made significant commitments as part of their INDC. For instance, in case of India, these include reduction of the emission intensity of GDP by 33 to 35 per cent from 2005 levels, increase the percentage of non-fossil fuel electricity to 40 per cent of total electric power capacity and create a carbon sink.&nbsp;China similarly has made a commitment to peak Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030, lower carbon intensity of GDP by 60 to 65 per cent below its 2005 levels by 2030, and&nbsp;increase it&#39;s non-fossil fuel energy to 20 per cent of the total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2030. It has also pledged to increase its forest stock.</p>

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<h5>One problem that India faces along with the other BRICS countries includes the financing of clean energy.</h5>
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<p>In line with India&rsquo;s pledge of generating 40 per cent of TPES through non-fossil fuels, India has declared an aim to have installed renewable energy capacity of 175 gigawatts (GW) of which solar photovoltaics (PV) is 100 GW by 2030. This includes increasing ground mounted grid connected solar power to 60 GW and increasing rooftop grid interactive solar power to 40 GW. Earlier, in 2010, with the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, 100 GW of solar installations were planned by 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India&rsquo;s current solar generation capacity is about 13 GW in 2017. In 2016, rooftop solar contributed to an approximate total of 1 GW of generated solar power. This means that an additional 87 GW has to be installed in the next twelve years, which roughly translates to an addition of 4GW (9.6 GW) of the mounted grid and 3.25 GW (7.8 GW) of rooftop every year till<strong> </strong>2030 (2022). Many have suggested that this is not possible.</p>

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<h5>China constitutes about 75 per cent of the Indian solar PV market. The main reason is the cost competitiveness of the Chinese, with the cost of solar modules and cells being 25-50 per cent lower than in India.</h5>
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<p>Solar power is generated by converting sunlight into electricity using either&nbsp;PV&nbsp;or using concentrated solar power (using lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam) or a combination. For generating photovoltaic solar power, crystalline silicon PV module is used. This silica is used to make polysilicon, ingot, wafer, PV cell all of which are used to make crystalline silicon PV module. Eight firms worldwide make about 80 per cent polysilicon. Others buy from them. Companies who buy polysilicon may sell wafers or carry out all of the subsequent steps of the wafer, cell, and module manufacturing and assembly. Some PV manufacturers such as Yingli make their own polysilicon.</p>

<p>The lack of upstream segments in this value chain adds to the vulnerability of Indian manufacturers. India does not produce polysilicon, ingot or wafer. However, crystalline silicon PV module is produced in India. The share of the Indian modules is about 10 per cent with imports from China constituting about 75 per cent of the Indian solar PV market. The main reason is the cost competitiveness of the Chinese, with the cost of solar modules and cells being 25-50 per cent lower than in India. India imports polysilicon, as well as wafers, and other ingredients such as ethylene vinyl acetate, which adds to the cost of production of modules.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Incidentally, the price of solar cells has fallen from 50 cents per kWh to 33 cents per kWh, in three years since 2010, when launch in 2010 of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the target of which was dramatically upgraded in 2014 to 100 GW of solar installations by 2022. In 2016, the WTO ruled against India that the domestic content requirements for solar cells and modules under the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission amounted to trade-related investment measures as they favour domestic products over imported products. The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association have recently had launched an anti-dumping investigation against China, Taiwan, and Malaysia of alleged dumping of &#39;solar cells whether or not assembled partially or fully in modules or panels or on glass or some other suitable substrates&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>China&rsquo;s top solar module manufacturer, are in talks with India&#39;s Essel group to set up a solar module manufacturing facility in India.</h5>
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<p>It has been debated that Indian solar PV industry should be developed with support from policies of the government like a capital subsidy and lower interest loans. However, the scale of Indian manufacturing is too small (in comparison to China). Four states - Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, account for over three-quarters of today&rsquo;s installed capacity. Rooftop solar also has the potential to become a more important part of India&rsquo;s solar portfolio and is being taken up by Indian Railways and on canals as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One problem that India faces along with the other BRICS countries includes the financing of clean energy. It has been estimated that India might need USD 175 billion in this regard. India has emerged as the second most attractive destination for investment in renewables ahead of the US according to a ranking by Ernst and Young (EY) last year. China is the most attractive destination. The New Development Bank&nbsp;has sanctioned a USD 250 million loan for India to fund its renewable energy. Clearly, more is needed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chinese firms such as GLC-Poly Energy, China&rsquo;s top solar module manufacturer, are in talks with India&#39;s Essel group to set up a solar module manufacturing facility in India. Cooperation between China and India in this regard could go a long way in achieving the NDC target of both countries.</p>


India and China need to work simultaneously to curb the increase in global average temperature.

As part of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in 2015, countries across the world came together and adopted a climate agreement whereby they indicated their long term climate goals post 2020. These goals or targets were laid out in each country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) with the aim to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C. India and China have both made significant commitments as part of their INDC. For instance, in case of India, these include reduction of the emission intensity of GDP by 33 to 35 per cent from 2005 levels, increase the percentage of non-fossil fuel electricity to 40 per cent of total electric power capacity and create a carbon sink. China similarly has made a commitment to peak Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030, lower carbon intensity of GDP by 60 to 65 per cent below its 2005 levels by 2030, and increase it's non-fossil fuel energy to 20 per cent of the total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2030. It has also pledged to increase its forest stock. One problem that India faces along with the other BRICS countries includes the financing of clean energy. × In line with India’s pledge of generating 40 per cent of TPES through non-fossil fuels, India has declared an aim to have installed renewable energy capacity of 175 gigawatts (GW) of which solar photovoltaics (PV) is 100 GW by 2030. This includes increasing ground mounted grid connected solar power to 60 GW and increasing rooftop grid interactive solar power to 40 GW. Earlier, in 2010, with the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, 100 GW of solar installations were planned by 2022. India’s current solar generation capacity is about 13 GW in 2017. In 2016, rooftop solar contributed to an approximate total of 1 GW of generated solar power. This means that an additional 87 GW has to be installed in the next twelve years, which roughly translates to an addition of 4GW (9.6 GW) of the mounted grid and 3.25 GW (7.8 GW) of rooftop every year till 2030 (2022). Many have suggested that this is not possible. China constitutes about 75 per cent of the Indian solar PV market. The main reason is the cost competitiveness of the Chinese, with the cost of solar modules and cells being 25-50 per cent lower than in India. × Solar power is generated by converting sunlight into electricity using either PV or using concentrated solar power (using lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam) or a combination. For generating photovoltaic solar power, crystalline silicon PV module is used. This silica is used to make polysilicon, ingot, wafer, PV cell all of which are used to make crystalline silicon PV module. Eight firms worldwide make about 80 per cent polysilicon. Others buy from them. Companies who buy polysilicon may sell wafers or carry out all of the subsequent steps of the wafer, cell, and module manufacturing and assembly. Some PV manufacturers such as Yingli make their own polysilicon. The lack of upstream segments in this value chain adds to the vulnerability of Indian manufacturers. India does not produce polysilicon, ingot or wafer. However, crystalline silicon PV module is produced in India. The share of the Indian modules is about 10 per cent with imports from China constituting about 75 per cent of the Indian solar PV market. The main reason is the cost competitiveness of the Chinese, with the cost of solar modules and cells being 25-50 per cent lower than in India. India imports polysilicon, as well as wafers, and other ingredients such as ethylene vinyl acetate, which adds to the cost of production of modules. Incidentally, the price of solar cells has fallen from 50 cents per kWh to 33 cents per kWh, in three years since 2010, when launch in 2010 of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the target of which was dramatically upgraded in 2014 to 100 GW of solar installations by 2022. In 2016, the WTO ruled against India that the domestic content requirements for solar cells and modules under the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission amounted to trade-related investment measures as they favour domestic products over imported products. The Indian Solar Manufacturers Association have recently had launched an anti-dumping investigation against China, Taiwan, and Malaysia of alleged dumping of 'solar cells whether or not assembled partially or fully in modules or panels or on glass or some other suitable substrates'. China’s top solar module manufacturer, are in talks with India's Essel group to set up a solar module manufacturing facility in India. × It has been debated that Indian solar PV industry should be developed with support from policies of the government like a capital subsidy and lower interest loans. However, the scale of Indian manufacturing is too small (in comparison to China). Four states - Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, account for over three-quarters of today’s installed capacity. Rooftop solar also has the potential to become a more important part of India’s solar portfolio and is being taken up by Indian Railways and on canals as well. One problem that India faces along with the other BRICS countries includes the financing of clean energy. It has been estimated that India might need USD 175 billion in this regard. India has emerged as the second most attractive destination for investment in renewables ahead of the US according to a ranking by Ernst and Young (EY) last year. China is the most attractive destination. The New Development Bank has sanctioned a USD 250 million loan for India to fund its renewable energy. Clearly, more is needed. Chinese firms such as GLC-Poly Energy, China’s top solar module manufacturer, are in talks with India's Essel group to set up a solar module manufacturing facility in India. Cooperation between China and India in this regard could go a long way in achieving the NDC target of both countries.

Cooperation between India and China over the energy sector can keep the earth safe

<p>Solar power prices in India have hit rock bottom, but it is not all good news for the electricity-starved country as the phenomenon has hit investor confidence and threatens the country&#39;s effort to push its green credentials.</p>

<p>Cut-throat competition has driven prices down to unsustainable levels, undermining the booming sector&#39;s viability, according to experts.</p>

<p>After the United States withdrew from the Paris climate deal last week, India said it would stick to its huge renewable energy programme. India is the headquarters of an international solar energy alliance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to reinforce the notoriously polluted country&#39;s green credentials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the price slump could hinder India&#39;s efforts to meet its solar energy goals and limit temperature-raising emissions. Delays in generating more electricity also mean that nearly 250 million Indians without power will remain in darkness, analysts said.</p>

<p>Indian authorities hold regular auctions for power supply companies and the most recent, in May, saw a bid of 2.44 rupees -- less than four US cents -- per kilowatt hour. That was a record low for India at a fifth of the price at the start of the decade and energy minister Piyush Goyal called it a step to a &quot;green future&quot;.</p>

<p>The price is cheaper than for coal-powered electricity, which overwhelmingly dominates the power grid. However, the effect of the falling cost of solar modules, cheaper financing, aggressive competition and a surplus power supply in some states has been to unleash chaos, with companies and state governments clamouring for suppliers to match the new, low prices.</p>

<p>&quot;Prices have come down too much, too soon and that doesn&#39;t bode well for the overall health of the sector,&quot; said Vinay Rustagi, managing director of renewable energy consultancy Bridge to India.</p>

<p><strong>Solar &#39;curse&#39;&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>&quot;In the past 17 months, tariffs are down nearly 50 percent and this is leading to buyer&#39;s remorse for projects already built and under development,&quot; Vinay Rustagi added. &quot;There&#39;s a reasonable chance that these projects will face some trouble in the future.&quot;</p>

<p>Modi turned to renewable energy to meet the vast needs of an economy that grew by 7.1 percent last year. The government has set an ambitious target of harvesting 100,000 megawatts of solar power by 2022 -- but has installed just 12,500 MW so far.</p>

<p>Of India&#39;s 329,000 MW of installed capacity, 67 per cent comes from coal and gas. The rest is a combination of nuclear and renewables including, hydro, wind and solar.</p>

<p>India is the fastest growing of the world&#39;s major economies and needs uninterrupted electricity to maintain its expansion. It also needs renewable energy to meet its 2015 Paris commitment to reduce emissions relative to gross domestic product by up to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels.</p>

<p>The state governments of Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana have refused to sign purchase agreements to buy power at the rates of 4-5.50 rupees a unit reached at auction over the past year, hoping to secure a cheaper deal. This is &quot;creating uncertainty,&quot; said Rustagi.</p>

<p>&quot;Ethically we shouldn&#39;t do that,&quot; said Sanjay Sharma, general manager at the state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India which conducted the latest auctions. He warned that the government could &quot;lose the confidence of the foreign bidder who is investing in India.&quot;</p>

<p>Critics also question if the new contract winners can provide low price electricity and remain viable. A day after India saw its new cheap solar prices, Amplus Solar founder Sanjeev Aggarwal was bombarded by clients asking him to slash rates to match the new prices.</p>

<p>&quot;People are falling over each other to grab a piece of the pie, but the question is if they can ever deliver at these rates,&quot; Aggarwal told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sumant Sinha chief executive of ReNew Power, one of the largest Indian renewable power companies and a losing bidder in the latest auctions, predicted a &#39;winners curse&#39;. &quot;Extremely low tariffs don&#39;t help anyone. Ultimately people have to raise debt financing, banks have to be brought on board, all of that looks very dicey at these levels,&quot; said Sinha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


Cut-throat competition has driven prices down to unsustainable levels raising doubts of delivery at these rates

Solar power prices in India have hit rock bottom, but it is not all good news for the electricity-starved country as the phenomenon has hit investor confidence and threatens the country's effort to push its green credentials. Cut-throat competition has driven prices down to unsustainable levels, undermining the booming sector's viability, according to experts. After the United States withdrew from the Paris climate deal last week, India said it would stick to its huge renewable energy programme. India is the headquarters of an international solar energy alliance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to reinforce the notoriously polluted country's green credentials. But the price slump could hinder India's efforts to meet its solar energy goals and limit temperature-raising emissions. Delays in generating more electricity also mean that nearly 250 million Indians without power will remain in darkness, analysts said. Indian authorities hold regular auctions for power supply companies and the most recent, in May, saw a bid of 2.44 rupees -- less than four US cents -- per kilowatt hour. That was a record low for India at a fifth of the price at the start of the decade and energy minister Piyush Goyal called it a step to a "green future". The price is cheaper than for coal-powered electricity, which overwhelmingly dominates the power grid. However, the effect of the falling cost of solar modules, cheaper financing, aggressive competition and a surplus power supply in some states has been to unleash chaos, with companies and state governments clamouring for suppliers to match the new, low prices. "Prices have come down too much, too soon and that doesn't bode well for the overall health of the sector," said Vinay Rustagi, managing director of renewable energy consultancy Bridge to India. Solar 'curse' "In the past 17 months, tariffs are down nearly 50 percent and this is leading to buyer's remorse for projects already built and under development," Vinay Rustagi added. "There's a reasonable chance that these projects will face some trouble in the future." Modi turned to renewable energy to meet the vast needs of an economy that grew by 7.1 percent last year. The government has set an ambitious target of harvesting 100,000 megawatts of solar power by 2022 -- but has installed just 12,500 MW so far. Of India's 329,000 MW of installed capacity, 67 per cent comes from coal and gas. The rest is a combination of nuclear and renewables including, hydro, wind and solar. India is the fastest growing of the world's major economies and needs uninterrupted electricity to maintain its expansion. It also needs renewable energy to meet its 2015 Paris commitment to reduce emissions relative to gross domestic product by up to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels. The state governments of Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana have refused to sign purchase agreements to buy power at the rates of 4-5.50 rupees a unit reached at auction over the past year, hoping to secure a cheaper deal. This is "creating uncertainty," said Rustagi. "Ethically we shouldn't do that," said Sanjay Sharma, general manager at the state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India which conducted the latest auctions. He warned that the government could "lose the confidence of the foreign bidder who is investing in India." Critics also question if the new contract winners can provide low price electricity and remain viable. A day after India saw its new cheap solar prices, Amplus Solar founder Sanjeev Aggarwal was bombarded by clients asking him to slash rates to match the new prices. "People are falling over each other to grab a piece of the pie, but the question is if they can ever deliver at these rates," Aggarwal told AFP. Sumant Sinha chief executive of ReNew Power, one of the largest Indian renewable power companies and a losing bidder in the latest auctions, predicted a 'winners curse'. "Extremely low tariffs don't help anyone. Ultimately people have to raise debt financing, banks have to be brought on board, all of that looks very dicey at these levels," said Sinha. (AFP)

Solar power prices slump, raises doubts on India's green future

India&#39;s solar industry suffered a setback on Friday, when it lost its appeal at the World Trade Organisation in a dispute over solar power.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
India failed to overturn a US complaint that New Delhi had discriminated against importers in the Indian solar power sector.<br />
<br />
The appellate body of the WTO upheld an earlier ruling that India violated global trade rules by imposing mandatory local content requirements on solar power developers.<br />
<br />
The earlier panel said India had favoured domestic products over imported products, in violation of the national treatment provisions under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.<br />
<br />
In 2013, a settlement panel of WTO ruled in favour of the US terming the requirement a violation of norms for fair trade.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
But India argued that the panel had failed to consider that solar cells and modules are indistinguishable from solar power generation and therefore, it is not necessary to consider these two products as inputs for solar power generation.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The solar tariff has fallen below Rs 4 per unit in the latest auctions, probably among the lowest in the world.<br />
<br />
The low tariff provides India with a global business opportunity. It can provide cheaper solar energy while giving a push to domestic manufacturers through domestic content requirement.<br />
<br />
But with the unfavourable WTO ruling, India will now be expected to bring its laws into compliance with the WTO rules.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)<br />
<br />
&nbsp;

The World Trade Organisation upheld earlier ruling that India had discriminated against US importers in solar power sector

India's solar industry suffered a setback on Friday, when it lost its appeal at the World Trade Organisation in a dispute over solar power. India failed to overturn a US complaint that New Delhi had discriminated against importers in the Indian solar power sector. The appellate body of the WTO upheld an earlier ruling that India violated global trade rules by imposing mandatory local content requirements on solar power developers. The earlier panel said India had favoured domestic products over imported products, in violation of the national treatment provisions under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994. In 2013, a settlement panel of WTO ruled in favour of the US terming the requirement a violation of norms for fair trade. But India argued that the panel had failed to consider that solar cells and modules are indistinguishable from solar power generation and therefore, it is not necessary to consider these two products as inputs for solar power generation. The solar tariff has fallen below Rs 4 per unit in the latest auctions, probably among the lowest in the world. The low tariff provides India with a global business opportunity. It can provide cheaper solar energy while giving a push to domestic manufacturers through domestic content requirement. But with the unfavourable WTO ruling, India will now be expected to bring its laws into compliance with the WTO rules. (WION with inputs from agencies)

WTO rejects India's appeal in US solar dispute; India could be forced to change existing laws

Facebook said on Thursday it had completed a successful test flight of a solar-powered drone that it hopes will help it extend internet connectivity to every corner of the planet.<br />
<br />
Aquila, Facebook&#39;s lightweight, high-altitude aircraft, flew at a few thousand feet for 96 minutes in Yuma, Arizona, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post on his Facebook page. The company ultimately hopes to have a fleet of Aquilas that can fly for at least three months at a time at 60,000 feet (18,290 metres) and communicate with each other to deliver internet access.<br />
<br />
Google parent Alphabet Inc has also poured money into delivering internet access to underserved areas through Project Loon, which aims to use a network of high-altitude balloons to made the internet available to remote parts of the world.<br />
<br />
Yael Maguire, Facebook&#39;s engineering director and head of its Connectivity Lab, said in an interview that the company initially hoped Aquila would fly for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
&quot;We&#39;re thrilled about what happened with our first flight,&quot; Maguire said. &quot;There are still a lot of technical challenges that need to be addressed for us to achieve the whole mission.&quot; He said he hoped the system might be brought into service &quot;in the near future&quot;.<br />
<br />
Zuckerberg laid out the company&#39;s biggest challenges in flying a fleet of Aquilas, including making the plane lighter so it can fly for longer periods, getting it to fly at 60,000 feet and creating communications networks that allow it to rapidly transfer data and accurately beam down lasers to provide internet connections.<br />
<br />
Maguire said Aquila will go through several more test flights and hopes it will soon break the world record for the longest solar-powered unmanned aircraft flight, which currently stands at two weeks.<br />
<br />
Facebook, which has more than 1.6 billion users, has invested billions of dollars in getting more people online, both through an initiative called internet.org - which offers a pared-down version of the internet to poor areas - and by building drones.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Aquila, the lightweight and high-altitude aircraft, aims to provide internet connectivity around the globe

Facebook said on Thursday it had completed a successful test flight of a solar-powered drone that it hopes will help it extend internet connectivity to every corner of the planet. Aquila, Facebook's lightweight, high-altitude aircraft, flew at a few thousand feet for 96 minutes in Yuma, Arizona, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post on his Facebook page. The company ultimately hopes to have a fleet of Aquilas that can fly for at least three months at a time at 60,000 feet (18,290 metres) and communicate with each other to deliver internet access. Google parent Alphabet Inc has also poured money into delivering internet access to underserved areas through Project Loon, which aims to use a network of high-altitude balloons to made the internet available to remote parts of the world. Yael Maguire, Facebook's engineering director and head of its Connectivity Lab, said in an interview that the company initially hoped Aquila would fly for 30 minutes. "We're thrilled about what happened with our first flight," Maguire said. "There are still a lot of technical challenges that need to be addressed for us to achieve the whole mission." He said he hoped the system might be brought into service "in the near future". Zuckerberg laid out the company's biggest challenges in flying a fleet of Aquilas, including making the plane lighter so it can fly for longer periods, getting it to fly at 60,000 feet and creating communications networks that allow it to rapidly transfer data and accurately beam down lasers to provide internet connections. Maguire said Aquila will go through several more test flights and hopes it will soon break the world record for the longest solar-powered unmanned aircraft flight, which currently stands at two weeks. Facebook, which has more than 1.6 billion users, has invested billions of dollars in getting more people online, both through an initiative called internet.org - which offers a pared-down version of the internet to poor areas - and by building drones. (Reuters)

Facebook's solar-powered drone successfully completes test flight

A solar-powered airplane finished crossing the United States on Saturday, landing in New York City after flying over the Statue of Liberty during its historic bid to circle the globe, the project team said.<br />
<br />
The spindly, single-seat experimental aircraft, dubbed Solar Impulse 2, arrived at New York&#39;s John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 4 a.m. local time after it took off about five hours beforehand at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania, the team reported on the airplane&#39;s website.<br />
<br />
&quot;Such a pleasure to land in #NYC! For the 14th time we celebrate sustainability,&quot; said the project&#39;s co-founder Andre Borschberg on Twitter after flying over the city and the Statue of Liberty during the 14th leg of the trip around the globe.<br />
<br />
The Swiss team flying the aircraft in a campaign to build support for clean energy technologies hopes eventually to complete its circumnavigation in Abu Dhabi, where the journey began in March 2015.<br />
<br />
The solar craft&#39;s cruising speed, akin to that of a car, required pilots to take up meditation and hypnosis in training to stay alert for long periods.<br />
<br />
Borschberg alternates with fellow pilot Bertrand Piccard at the controls for each segment of what they hope will be the first round-the-world solar-powered flight.<br />
<br />
On April 24, Piccard landed in San Francisco, completing a trans-Pacific crossing after a nearly three-day trip that began in Hawaii. The flight took more than three times the 18 hours Amelia Earhart took to fly solo from Hawaii to California in the 1930s.<br />
<br />
The propeller-driven Solar Impulse flies without a drop of fuel and its four engines are powered solely by energy collected from more than 17,000 solar cells built into its wings.<br />
<br />
Surplus power is stored in four batteries during the day, to keep the plane aloft on extreme long-distance flights.<br />
<br />
The carbon-fiber plane, with a wingspan exceeding that of a Boeing 747 and the weight of a family car, is unlikely to set speed or altitude records. It can climb to 28,000 feet (8,500 m), and cruise at 34 to 62 mph (55 to 100 kph).<br />
<br />
In a precursor of their globe-circling quest, the two men completed a multi-flight crossing of the United States with an earlier version of the solar plane in 2013.

The plane collects energy from more than 17,000 solar cells built into its wings. It can climb to 28,000 feet and cruise at 34 to 62 mph

A solar-powered airplane finished crossing the United States on Saturday, landing in New York City after flying over the Statue of Liberty during its historic bid to circle the globe, the project team said. The spindly, single-seat experimental aircraft, dubbed Solar Impulse 2, arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 4 a.m. local time after it took off about five hours beforehand at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania, the team reported on the airplane's website. "Such a pleasure to land in #NYC! For the 14th time we celebrate sustainability," said the project's co-founder Andre Borschberg on Twitter after flying over the city and the Statue of Liberty during the 14th leg of the trip around the globe. The Swiss team flying the aircraft in a campaign to build support for clean energy technologies hopes eventually to complete its circumnavigation in Abu Dhabi, where the journey began in March 2015. The solar craft's cruising speed, akin to that of a car, required pilots to take up meditation and hypnosis in training to stay alert for long periods. Borschberg alternates with fellow pilot Bertrand Piccard at the controls for each segment of what they hope will be the first round-the-world solar-powered flight. On April 24, Piccard landed in San Francisco, completing a trans-Pacific crossing after a nearly three-day trip that began in Hawaii. The flight took more than three times the 18 hours Amelia Earhart took to fly solo from Hawaii to California in the 1930s. The propeller-driven Solar Impulse flies without a drop of fuel and its four engines are powered solely by energy collected from more than 17,000 solar cells built into its wings. Surplus power is stored in four batteries during the day, to keep the plane aloft on extreme long-distance flights. The carbon-fiber plane, with a wingspan exceeding that of a Boeing 747 and the weight of a family car, is unlikely to set speed or altitude records. It can climb to 28,000 feet (8,500 m), and cruise at 34 to 62 mph (55 to 100 kph). In a precursor of their globe-circling quest, the two men completed a multi-flight crossing of the United States with an earlier version of the solar plane in 2013.

Solar plane lands in New York City during bid to circle the globe

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