Blogs
Delhi heat, power pricing and the promise of rooftop solar
19 June 2014 | Akhilesh Magal
This summer has been particularly harsh in North India – both in terms of record temperatures and lack of power. Delhi has seen power cuts ranging from one to five hours daily. During the peak summer season, this is close to living hell. It is therefore no surprise that people are protesting at the situation. The irony however is that the sun shines mercilessly and is largely...
India’s solar installed capacity crossed 2.5 GW in May 2014
18 June 2014 | Mudit Jain
Solar photovoltaic installations in India have crossed 2.5 GW in May 2014. Government incentives have been the main driver in the past and are still the main determinant of the market. In future, parity – driven projects will take hold. For an overview, download our latest India Solar Handbook [download...
Weekly Update: India may provide tax incentives to households for rooftop solar
17 June 2014 | Jasmeet Khurana
In a recent statement, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has said that it proposes to allow tax incentives for households who wish to set up rooftop solar plants and the proposal is to be discussed with the Ministry of Finance (
Steps required for accelerated market growth in the solar industry in India
13 June 2014 | Mudit Jain
The Indian solar market has taken a significant leap in 2012, but the market has slowed down in 2013. This article lists measures that could rekindle fast growth in the Indian solar industry. For an overview, download our latest India Solar Handbook [download here]. Growth in the Indian solar sector has slowed...
Market projection for solar in the telecom sector in India
12 June 2014 | Mudit Jain
The heavy reliance on diesel has made the telecom segment a front-runner among diesel parity driven solar markets in India. Installation of solar on telecom towers is rapidly increasing. For an overview, download our latest India Solar Handbook [download here]. Consumption of diesel in telecom towers...
India’s energy choices
11 June 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
In an interesting paper called “India Unleashed”, Gregor Macdonald from Terrajoule.us looks at India’s energy options. He compares a “coal heavy” scenario and a “wind and solar heavy” scenario. India can...
Weekly Update: The new government is making all the right noises about renewable energy
10 June 2014 | Jasmeet Khurana
India’s solar sector has been grossly underperforming vis-à-vis other countries as well as the potential for the energy source in the country. The wish list for the sector broadly comprises the following – strengthening of RPO mechanism, regulations to facilitate distributed generation, promotion of domestic manufacturing, rural electrification and availability of cheaper finance. It is...
Market projection for solar rooftop projects in India
06 June 2014 | Mudit Jain
Until now, the Indian solar market has been driven by incentive based utility scale projects. The contribution from the rooftop segment has been minimal. However, rising grid tariffs and frequent load shedding are now encouraging consumers to install solar in commercial, industrial and residential segments. For an overview, download our latest India Solar Handbook [
Asia takes over from Europe to lead the solar market
05 June 2014 | Mudit Jain
Asia has registered unprecedented growth in 2013. China and Japan have become the largest solar markets in the world. With an over 200% increase in new solar installation in 2013, both China and Japan more than doubled their cumulative capacities. European countries such as Germany and Italy will likely lose their leading positions. For an overview, download our latest India Solar Handbook [
Is India a great solar market?
04 June 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
The answer is yes. India is a very good market for solar. In fact, going by its vast population, high irradiation, the growing energy demand and power deficit, limited access to fossil fuels and the large number of un-electrified villages, it should be one of the best markets. However, it is also a difficult market. For an overview, download our latest India Solar Handbook (download...
Weekly Update: Managing uncertainties in the Indian solar market
03 June 2014 | Jasmeet Khurana
The global markets are gung-ho on solar PV. The US aims to bring the cost of distributed solar power down to USD 0.06/kWh (INR 3.5/kWh) in the next six years under its SunShot program (refer). China wants to increase its installed capacity to 70 GW in the...
Anti-dumping duties on solar PV cells and modules will bring the Indian solar market to a halt
30 May 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
Anti-dumping duties threaten to torpedo the Indian solar market at a time when the new government has made clear its intention to grow solar. They are an ill-conceived and ill-timed vestige of the previous government and serve a very small section of the Indian solar industry at the detriment of the majority of the rest, the power consumers and the taxpayers. Solar will become more expensive...
