The government has decided to give local players only a small part of the projects to be awarded in the next phase of the solar mission. The ministry has decided at the ministry said that it’s likely that a mere 200-250 MW will be kept separate to be built from domestic solar equipment. The balance which is around 500 MW will be free to procure imported content. The domestic industry had complained that it was incurring huge annual loss of INR 100 bn annually and needs government support to survive.

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India plans to double its renewable energy capacity by 2017. India plans to increase the capacity from 25000 MW to 50000 MW. Focus would be on non conventional energy sources like solar energy, wind energy and biomass. The 12^th Five Year Plan recognized the importance of evolving a low carbon strategy for inclusive and long term growth. The biggest challenge in this effort is that renewable energy was found to be more costly than conventional sources. Various government subsidies are effective to keep the prices in control in the initial years.

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United Bank of India (UBI) has decided to tie up with Tata Power Solar to provide credit to the non-renewable energy sector. Under this pact Tata Power will leverage the bank’s branch network in the eastern region of India to make easy finance available to the purchaser of the off-grid solar home lighting or water heating system. The bank will also use Tata power outlets to increase its penetration. In this arrangement the bank will be able to increase its exposure to micro finance and Tata Power will be able to sell more products in the hinterlands.

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Ahmedabad-based Abellon Clean Energy Ltd and Mumbai-based A2Z Maintenance will build two green power projects in Ahmedabad by using urban waste for generating electricity. The projects will take two years to build. Land will be provided to them at concessional rates.

The project will use urban wastes that the city generates. The city generates 4000 metric tonne of wastes daily. As per estimates, cost for setting up 2.5 MW would be INR 250 mn. This will serve dual purpose as it will provide much needed energy in a power deficient country and also help to clean up the city.

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Indian manufacturers of solar cells and modules should benefit if the government imposes an anti-dumping duty. The directorate general of anti-dumping (DGAD) found prima facie evidence of dumping by suppliers in China, Malaysia and US last year. The Indian solar equipment manufacturing industry is utilizing only 15%-30% of their. Manufacturers are upbeat and want government to take some quick action.

However, it would also raise prices for project developers and eventually increase the price of power generated. This would be borne by the end customers.

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