The Karnataka farmer’s scheme, which was launched in 2015, has been one of the most attractive schemes. It provides Rs 8.4/kWh as the tariff, one of the highest in the country, and farmers holding land in Karnataka could bid for upto 3…
Don’t be Lakh Wise, Crore Foolish – Solar Mango’s Request to Solar Power Plant Developers
OK, so you already know the stuff that’s presented above. You have already read or heard about the fact that there are EPCs, and there are EPCs. Given that it is well known that there are a number of rather average…
Captive Solar Power Plants Becoming popular with Indian Companies
I had earlier written a blog post Captive Solar Power Plant – Is it Good for My Company? that received quite a few queries and comments, with some of them saying it is a bit too early for Indian companies…
Floating Solar Power Plant in a Dam in Wayanad, Kerala
The idea of floating solar power plants has been doing the rounds for a while. A few years back, I had the opportunity to have a brief discussion with the founder of Ciel et Terre, Bernard Prouvost. At that time, very few thought that…
India Rooftop Solar Policy Risks being ‘Non-event’, Says Solar Consulting Firm
At the cost of annoying you, I am forced to say “I told you so.” I had always maintained, in the context of Indian solar power plant targets laid down by the MNRE, that while they are on a good wicket for the…
A Passionate EMail to Help Struggling Karnataka Farmers through Solar
I received this mail from a retired officer from the Indian Navy. It was really motivating to see how he was trying to find a solution through solar, for the plight of farmers suffering from water shortage. I am not revealing the…
Dos and Donts for Indian MW Solar Power Plant Developers
There are three main categories of solar power plant developers in India: Super duper companies such as Sun Edison, Welspun Energy etc that are both large and financially well-heeled, as well have real professional expertise in putting up solar power plants, both large and small Small-medium…
Softbank Too Bids at Rs 4.63/kWh for 350 MW Solar – An Analysis of the Magic Number 4.63
All right, so a few weeks back, we were all circumspect when Sun Edison bid at Rs 4.63/kWh for 350 MW solar power plant in Andhra Pradesh under the National Solar Mission. How could this be? – we asked among ourselves. Perhaps Sun Edison…
Timelines of a MW Solar Project Installation in India
One prominent distinction between solar power plants and many other conventional power plants, especially thermal or nuclear power plants, is the amount of time it takes to instal the power plant. While conventional power plants could take a few years from concept/design to commissioning, solar power plants, even those that are reasonably large…
Getting a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for Solar Power Plants in India
Ask anyone who is looking at putting up a MW-scale solar power plant as to what the most important part of a solar power plant is, and he will tell you that it is that of getting the PPA. So, what indeed is a PPA and why is…
