Blogs
Weekly Update: Rooftop solar subsidy mechanism to continue – but will the government provide funds?
01 July 2014 | Jasmeet Khurana
On 26th June 2014, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced continuation of the capital subsidy scheme for rooftop solar projects (refer). Under this scheme, the government will continue to provide 30% of the capital cost of the...
The Great Indian Pendulum: Return to Optimism
27 June 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
There is a notable change of atmosphere in India since the elections. Suddenly, business conversations are full of optimism again. There is talk of growth and investment, of a golden future. This is in sharp contrast to the debilitating gloominess that had settled over the country in the final years of the last administration. The great Indian pendulum is swinging back. India is experiencing...
Why India should have a more active climate diplomacy
26 June 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
Indians still only emit less than 40% of the Chinese on a per capita basis and hundreds of millions don’t have access to grid electricity. So the case against emissions targets remains strong, but India needs to avoid being isolated and portrayed as the villain who prevents global consensus and progress. For my previous analysis of the changing international landscape, read
Providing energy access to the poor
25 June 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
The IEA estimates that one in five people or 1.3 billion around the world lack access to electricity. There are two ways of changing that: expanding the grid around a classical centralized power generation system or creating distributed solutions around either appliances (e.g. solar lanterns), homes systems (typically also solar) or mini-grids (from different fuel sources, including e.g. solar,...
Will India be wrong-footed in a new era in climate change politics?
24 June 2014 | Tobias Engelmeier
In the past week, India (the world’s third largest emitter of carbon) has been bolted to attention by two announcements. First, president Barack Obama of the US (the world’s second largest emitter) vowed to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 30% by 2030. The very next day, China (the world’s largest emitter), announced its willingness to set absolute carbon targets from 2016...
Weekly Update: Is Indian solar manufacturing looking up?
24 June 2014 | Jasmeet Khurana
The Indian stock market as a whole has been on a bull run ever since the new government has come into power. However, one group that has done exceptionally well is the solar cell manufacturers, whose valuations had been very low before. The stock price of the three independently listed cell manufacturers has risen sharply: Websol Energy Systems rose a staggering 168%, Moser Baer by 130% and...
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...
