Solar Today September-October 2016

Vol. 2 No. 6 September - October 2016 `150

1st SOLAR TODAY AWARDS...20

Special Report:

Solar Bicycle...56

Feature:

Data Monitoring...38

India's First Magazine Dedicated to Emerging Solar Industry

In the November-December Issue of Solar Today:

Solar Rooftop

‡ Learn how MNRE is planning to tackle
shortage of skill manpower,

‡ What India can learn from European
countries,

‡ How to maintain quality of equipment
and workmanship of the rooftop solar
installations.

Feature Feature

Solar water heaters and cooling Batteries and Energy Storage
‡ Learn on development policies and ‡ Govt strategy: Subsidy for PV systems

plans for the industry, with energy storage, than those without
‡Know more about cost structure analysis storage,
‡How to resolve durability issues, ‡ What battery chemistries will dominate
Indian market,
maintenance and cost for cooling ‡ Why the Indian govt is supplementing
systems. its solar boom with battery storage.

For Advertising and Sponsorship contact:
Sheetal Talreja I [email protected] I + 91 9920 943 221



FROM THE www.SolarToday.co.in

editor desk

SALUTATION

TO THE SUN GOD

W hether the sun is meagre 3 GW of solar capacity, included in a total of
a god or a star, 34 GW of all renewables, and when the new Prime
or both, Minister Modi reset the goalpost at 100 GW for
depends on renewables by the year 2022, which was upped in
one’s beliefs. IrrespecƟve of 2015, to an audacious 175 GW, of which a substanƟal
that, salutaƟons are due. 100 GW will be solar, inclusive of 40 GW to come from
Because, if there is one source of energy that can help rooŌop solar units. Viewed against these dazzling
us viably break away from the stranglehold of fossil targets, we are not doing that badly either — as of last
fuels, it is the sun. There is much talk and hype about month, we crossed 8.6 GW of solar installaƟons, and
many other sources of renewable energy such as wind, had a solar project pipeline of 21 GW. Next year, we
waves/oceans, hydro, fusion and also about a few have to set up 9 GW of solar capacity — more than
near-renewables (just from CO2 emissions’ what we have achieved cumulaƟvely thus far.
perspecƟve) like geothermal or nuclear, but the
stand-out opƟon is clearly solar. Then on 2nd October 2016, India ceremonially
So, it is but natural, that we express respect and raƟfied the Paris Agreement as agreed in CoP21, in
awe for the inexhausƟble source of energy that also which we have pledged our commitment to the
happens to be the centre of our solar system in more UN-sponsored global effort to tackle climate change.
ways than one. Therefore, Surya Namaskar is very India has promised that (among other targets), by
much in order, the currently raging religious 2030, non-fossil fuels would account for 40 per cent of
controversies notwithstanding. We bow to offer our our total energy generaƟon capacity. This, according to
respects to the never ending (well, almost!) fusion observers, translates to almost 300 GW of renewables
reacƟons going on in the star that we call sun, which, capacity. Some studies esƟmate that by 2030, India’s
together with the great strides we have made in solar photovoltaic installaƟons tally would reach up to
technology to harness this source of energy, offer us a about 200 GW, potenƟally leaving an unaccounted for
unique soluƟon to our energy needs of the deficit of 100 GW.
conceivable future. Not just that, it also enables us,
human beings, to hit upon an incredibly simple “stone” Clearly, to deliver on our Paris promises, we have
to kill the twin “birds”, namely our infinitely expanding to further improve our performance, and accelerate
energy needs for our development on the one hand, our solar projects. Issues that may need to be
and our imperaƟve to limit CO2 emissions so as to addressed on priority grid connecƟvity, storage
protect the livelihoods of our future generaƟons, on capaciƟes, financing inadequacies, project
the other. management capabiliƟes, and last but not the least,
How are we doing in India? The NaƟonal AcƟon we have to get our act together in bolstering
Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) launched in 2007 indigenous manufacturing capaciƟes. And even before
with eight missions, was perhaps the first serious we do all this, we need to celebrate the people, the
aƩempt to bring India’s climate efforts onto a leaders, and the organisaƟons which brought us here
“mission” mode, under insƟtuƟonal governance. today, in our country’s exciƟng journey to be a global
However, improving the governance framework and solar powerhouse. So, this issue of Solar Today is all
achieving results do not always come hand in hand, as about Solar Awards — our salutaƟon to the high-
we have seen in the numbers that emerged. As for the performers in the sector.
solar mission, the target of 8 per cent renewable
energy in the grid energy mix by 2012-13, was way Sumit Banerjee
beyond the 4.5 per cent actually achieved. Chairman, Editorial Advisory Board
Then came 2014, when as a snapshot, we had a

4 SOLAR September-October 2016





CONTENTS 26 Profiles

20 Cover Story – Andhra Pradesh
– ACME
PresenƟng the best and the brightest – Mahindra Susten
at the 1st SOLAR TODAY AWARDS – Sterling & Wilson
– CleanMax
– Amplus
– Tata Power Solar
– Su-Kam
– Hero Future Energy
– Vikram Solar
– OMC Power

56 Special Report - Solar Bicycle

Biking to Glory

An IIT Bombay alumnus from the Energy
Science Department, Sushil Reddy rode
a solar powered electric bicycle for
7,513 km in 79 days, across nine states in
northwestern India to raise awareness
about solar power in the country.

22 Solar Today Awards Jury Meet

For the very first Ɵme, the Solar Today team stepped forward for an 42
event that brings the solar power fraternity together while awarding
promising companies that made their mark in the past year.

8 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

solar

38 Feature - Data Monitoring

Bird’s Eye View 38

Employing a performance monitoring system Interviews
is a must for being able to account for the
amount of energy produced by a system in
real Ɵme, and to ensure the forecast
conversion efficiency will remain intact over
its service life.

42 “Savings under data

monitoring can be significant”

Abhay Raina, Head - Solar, Hero Future Energies.

REI Expo 2016

44 Event Report 43 “Industry emphasis will shiŌ
from growth to management
“Industry lauds UBM India’s of assets”
REI Exp 2016”
Kuldeep Jain, Managing Director, CleanMax Solar.
With 600 exhibitors, 26,000 visitors, 40 countries and
10 country pavilions, the expo witnessed an increase
of 13 per cent in fooƞalls over the previous year.

InteracƟons: Inside issue

45 Anurag Garg, Vice President, Solar Business, Schneider. 4 Desk
10 Index
46 Ivan Saha, President & Chief Technology Officer, 12 Newsbeam
Vikram Solar. 18 Corporate Watch
60 Project Sphere
48 Rohit Kumar, Head of Indian SubconƟnent, REC. 61 Market Snapshot
50 Vinay SheƩy, Managing Director, Canadian Solar. 62 People Management

51 Sachin Upadhye, MarkeƟng Manager, Kynar PVDF.

9September-October 2016 SOLAR

index www.SolarToday.co.in

www.SolarToday.co.in ORGANISATIONS US EIA ...................................................... 17
Vikram Solar ........................... 19, 21, 36, 46
Chairman, Editorial Advisory Board ABB .................................................... 16, 21 Vivid Technologies ................................... 62
Sumit Banerjee ACME ................................................. 21, 27 Walmart .................................................... 14
Adani Green Energy .......................... 16, 21 Western Union.......................................... 13
[email protected] ADB .......................................................... 14 World Trade Centre ............................ 16, 17
Altus Power America ................................ 17 WREPL...................................................... 62
* Sr. Assistant Editor American Solar Direct .............................. 62 WTO.............................................. 11, 13, 16
Rahul Kamat Amplus ......................................... 15, 21, 31
Azure .................................................. 14, 21 PEOPLE
[email protected] Bloomberg New Energy Finance ............. 44
Bosch ................................................. 18, 19 Abhay Raina....................................... 39, 42
Managing Director Canadian Solar Energy ............................ 50 Anirudh Tewari.......................................... 11
Pratap Padode CDPQ ....................................................... 14 Anurag Garg............................................. 45
CIAL.......................................................... 11 Chetan Tolia.............................................. 62
National Sales Manager CleanMax Solar ...................... 21, 30, 39, 43 Freddie Achom......................................... 62
Sheetal Talreja Dupont...................................................... 18 Hans-Josef Fell......................................... 44
Eco Energy World..................................... 17 Ivan Saha.................................................. 46
[email protected] HAREDA................................................... 13 James Gordon Carr.................................. 44
HERC.................................................. 13, 15 Justin Wu .................................................. 44
Subscription Hero Future Energies ............. 21, 35, 39, 42 Kevin Bauer.............................................. 62
[email protected] Hindustan Power Projects ........................ 16 Kuldeep Jain ...................................... 39, 43
Tel: 022-24193000/65267838 IREDA....................................................... 14 Manu Shrivastava..................................... 13
JNPT......................................................... 13 Munehiko Tsuchiya................................... 44
Published by KEC International ..................................... 14 PR Jaishankar............................... 22, 23, 24
ASAPP Info Global Services Pvt Ltd, Kynar ........................................................ 51 Prafulla Pathak.................................... 22, 23
L&T ........................................................... 21 Pratap Padode ................................... 22, 23
A - 303, Navbharat Estates, Mahindra Susten ................................ 21, 28 Preetam D’Souza...................................... 23
Zakaria Bunder Road, Sewri (West), Ministry of Shipping.................................. 13 Prof. Renxian Cao..................................... 19
MNRE ....................................................... 44 Rajaram Pai .............................................. 18
Mumbai 400 015. Mytrah....................................................... 14 Rajesh Koowal.......................................... 14
Tel: 022-2419 3000. Fax: 022-2417 5734. NTPC ........................................................ 16 Rohit Kumar.............................................. 48
OMC Power ........................................ 21, 37 RV Singh................................................... 16
Branch Offices Panasonic................................................. 18 Sachin Upadhye....................................... 51
Delhi: REC .......................................................... 48 Santosh Janakiram................................... 24
Renew Power............................................ 15 Shirish S Garud ........................................ 23
Tel: 011-4656 1818 RPower ..................................................... 16 Shivraj Singh Chouhan............................. 13
Bengaluru: Schneider Electric .................................... 45 Siddhartha Sengupta ............................... 19
SECI.......................................................... 16 Tarun Kapoor...................................... 22, 23
Tel: 080-40953423 / 080-40959611 Standford.................................................. 17 Tomasz Łukaszuk ..................................... 44
Chennai: Sterling & Wilson ................................ 21, 29 Upendra Tripathi....................................... 44
Su-Kam............................................... 21, 34 Venugopal CM.......................................... 18
Tel: 044-42991234 Sungrow ................................................... 19 Vikas Bhavan............................................ 16
Pune: Tata Power Renewable............................. 16 Vinay Rustagi............................................ 23
Tata Power Solar................................. 21, 32 Vinay Shetty.............................................. 50
Tel: 020-260 52987 / 020-6602 5990 UBM India................................................. 44 Yogesh Mudras ........................................ 44

Representative Offices
Austria, Switzerland &

Germany Gunter Schneider -
[email protected]

*Responsible for selection of news under the
PRB Act. All rights reserved. While all efforts are
made to ensure that the information published is
correct, Solar Today holds no responsibility for any
unlikely errors that might have occurred. Subject to
Mumbai jurisdiction only.

Printed and Published by Tarun Pal on behalf
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Press (India) Pvt Ltd, Plot No 1C/716, Off Dadoji
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Published from A-303, Navbharat Estates, Zakaria
Bunder Road, Sewri (West), Mumbai-400 015. Editor :
Pratap Vijay Padode.

The information on products and projects
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Solar Today holds no responsibility for any decision
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provided herein.

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newsbeam policy

WTO DECISION: INDIA required for solar power without taking
LOOKS TO BUY TIME the industry into confidence. Making
changes to the rules of Rajasthan Chief
The Business Line newspaper says Electrical Inspector - 2016 on
that India’s negotiating skills at the September 22, the department has
multilateral trade body WTO will be increased charges not only for testing
put to test as it tries to buy time for of voltage, transformer, equipment, and
implementing the recent verdict switches but also for giving approvals
against local content requirement for drawings and maps, reports the
in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Times of India. “It is unethical to issue
Solar Mission. With the WTO

CIAL TO DOUBLE SOLAR POWER PUNJAB MAY PRODUCE 2 GW POWER
GENERATION FROM BIOMASS

Solar power generaƟon at the Anirudh Tewari,
Cochin InternaƟonal Airport Principal Secretary for
Limited (CIAL), is set to be almost Industries & Commerce
doubled in five months, from the and Renewable Energy,
current 15.4 MW to 28.8 MW. Government of Punjab
This will be done by upgrading has said that the state has
the installaƟon capacity of the the potenƟal to generate
exisƟng solar power plant, said about 2,000 MW of
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan power using biomass
while inauguraƟng the 22nd alone. “An area of
Shareholders AGM. With the renewable energy which
commissioning of the 12 MW Punjab is concentraƟng on is biomass,” said Tewari, speaking at an industry
solar power plant last year, CIAL event. “We recently developed 150 MW of projects on biomass, but we have
has so far produced 23.5 million the potenƟal to generate about 2,000 MW. That is the kind of biomass
units of power. available.” Presently, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and UƩar Pradesh lead in terms of total megawaƩs of projects using biomass.
Contact: CIAL Contact: Govt. of Punjab Website: www.punjab.gov.in

Website: www.cial.aero

SOLAR INSTALLATIONS IN appellate body ruling in favour of the such orders without industry consent
INDIA CROSS 8.6 GW US, which had complained against the and intimation. This has come as a
compulsory domestic sourcing of solar sudden and unexpected blow to the
MP TO BUILD WORLD’S LARGEST panels and modules for power industry. It will badly impact the
SOLAR POWER PLANT: JC DE SA producers under the JNNSM, India has leadership position of Rajasthan in the
been left with little option but to solar sector and demoralise current
GOI LOOKS TO ASHRAMS TO re-strategise its policy, says the investors,” said Sunil Bansal, general
PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY publication. The US and India will secretary, RSA.
start their consultations for a reasonable Contact: Govt. of Rajasthan
INDIA PLANS 1 GW ROOFTOP period of implementation once the Website: Www.rajasthan.gov.in
TENDER FOR GOVT BUILDINGS Appellate Body report is adopted by
the Dispute Settlement Body in its HARYANA HIKES
GOVT MULLS SUBSIDISED meeting next month. INCENTIVES FOR GRID-
SOLAR PUMPS FOR FARMERS Contact: Govt of India CONNECTED SOLAR POWER
Website: www.india.gov.in
In a move to promote solar In a development that should give a
power in the country, the Centre is RAJASTHAN HIKES big push to solar power generation in
mulling subsidised solar water pumps INSPECTION FEES FOR the state, the incentive given to
for farmers in almost all states soon. SOLAR DEVELOPERS rooftop solar plants installed under
The subsidy expected to raise up to Haryana’s new solar policy for
95 per cent, varing between states, Reports indicate that Rajasthan’s residential buildings for solar power
depending upon their agricultural energy department has increased fees generation has been quadrupled,
needs. The remaning cost will be up to three times for inspection and from 25 p per kWh to Rs 1 per kWh.
borne by both Centre and states. testing of electrical installations The order from Haryana Electricity
Contact: MNRE
Website: www.mnre.gov.in

12 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

Regulatory Commission (HERC) says Muskurata Suraj (Smiling Sun on JNPT TO HARNESS SOLAR
starting from August 2016, till March Every Rooftop)’. The notification will Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust
2017, an incentive of Rs 1/kWh shall be out subsequently. “The government
be given by the discoms, instead of the will provide 30 per cent subsidy to (JNPT) will now harness solar
25 paise/kWh offered earlier, during domestic consumers to install solar energy to reduce its dependency
financial year 2016-17. For rooftop panels on rooftops or in any space on convenƟonal electricity from
solar systems installed by consumers available on the ground. Government the grid and also ensuring
under the new solar policy (starting buildings will get 45 per cent subsidy financial savings, the government
April 1, 2016 till July 31, 2016), and certain government undertakings has said. “JNPT is installing solar
incentive shall be given at the rate of will get a subsidy of 50 per cent. power plants on several rooŌops
25 paise/kWh for the corresponding Colleges and educational institutions in its township and commercial
period. From there on, the incentive can also install solar power units premises. This green iniƟaƟve by
shall be applicable at Rs 1/kWh. wherever free space is available on JNPT is part of its push towards
Contact: Govt. of Haryana the ground,” Principal Secretary, becoming the most sustainable
Website: Www.haryana.gov.in Renewable Energy, Manu Shrivastava, energy generaƟon port
told reporters. He said that a domestic organisaƟon in India,” the
SOLAR COOKERS consumer can install a 3 kW power Ministry of Shipping said in a
TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN unit on the rooftop for Rs 2.5 lakh. statement.
16 VILLAGES With 30 per cent subsidy, it would cost
Rs 1.75 lakh, which can be easily Contact: Jawaharlal Nehru
In order to reduce serious health recovered through power savings. Port Trust
hazards associated with cooking using The unit will have a life of about Website: www.jnport.gov.in
fossil fuel and empowering women by 25 years and is expected to halve
protecting their health, India Post in domestic electricity bills. The only HARYANA STARTS PORTAL FOR
collaboration with Western Union catch is that you have to buy made-in- SOLAR PANEL SUBSIDY
Money Transfer will be distributing India solar panels to get the subsidy.
solar cookers and lights in 16 villages Contact: Govt. of Madhya Pradesh The department of renewable
of Agra region, reports the Economic energy, Haryana, aka HAREDA,
Times. According to officials, Western Website: Www.mp.gov.in has in a bid to encourage more
Union Money will sponsor the scheme. people to opt for solar power by
CENTRE MOVES TO making the process simpler,
The postal department will ensure PROTECT SOLAR INDUSTRY iniƟated an online system, where
suitable implementation of the scheme. AFTER WTO SETBACK people can submit applicaƟons
Some of the selected villages include online to get subsidy on solar
those adopted by members of Parliament. In wake of the WTO ruling against power panels. Applicants can visit
Contact: India Post India’s DCR requirements, the Centre HAREDA’s portal and aŌer filling
Website: Www. Indiapost.gov.in is looking at norms that will back local the forms, submit the applicaƟon
manufacturing through subsidies and with the required documents.
MP APPROVES increased procurement of homemade According to officials, the
DOMESTIC ROOFTOP solar panels by government agencies applicaƟon for subsidy has
SOLAR POWER POLICY and public sector utilities (PSUs) to be submiƩed before the
under the National Solar Mission installaƟon of the power panel
The Shivraj Singh Chouhan (NSM). The US had contested that and not aŌer.
government has approved the Madhya India’s DCR was ‘inconsistent with
Pradesh Renewable Energy Policy regulations under General Agreement Contact: Govt. of Haryana
2016, with the slogan ‘Har Chhat Par on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and Website: www.haryana.gov.in
Trade-Related Investment Measures
(TRIMs)’. Under DCR, it was ST
mandatory to source India-made solar
cells/modules for a certain portion of
solar capacity. While India had
contested the US appeal, the WTO
ruled in favour of the US. This is being
seen as a move to protect the solar
industry after the recent WTO setback.
Conatct: Ministry of New and

Renewable Energy

Website: www.mnre.gov.in

13September-October 2016 SOLAR

newsbeam finance

ADB TO PROVIDE lowest bidder wasVijaya Printing Press
$500 MILLION AID FOR Pvt Ltd, which offered to build a 10 MW
ROOFTOP SOLAR PROJECTS solar plant at a tariff of `4.42 per unit.
This was followed by Solar Edge Power
To support India’s solar mission, the and Energy Pvt Ltd (130 MW). Others
Asian Development Bank (ADB) will were Light Source Renewable Energy
aid solar rooftop projects.The ADB will Holdings, Neel Metal Products Ltd
finance $500 million for rooftop solar (100 MW) and Canadian Solar Energy
projects.The finance will be routed Holding (80 MW).This was under Part-B
through Punjab National Bank, which of the National Solar Mission Phase-II
will fund various developers and end which Solar Energy Corporation of
users to install solar power projects. India (SECI) is implementing along
Combined with an additional

CDPQ TO ACQUIRE STAKE IN AZURE POWER LAUNCHES IPO
AZURE POWER
Nine months aŌer filing papers
Looking for an entry into the ripe for an IniƟal Public Offering at the
solar market in India, Canadian pension New York Stock Exchange,
fund Caisse de depot et placement du India-based Azure Power has
Quebec (CDPQ) plans to acquire a finally made the offer public.
35 per cent stake in Indian solar power Azure Power, and its shareholders,
developer Azure Power by invesƟng will offer a total of 6.82 million
$180 million in the company. ExiƟng shares in the price range of
investors in Azure Power InternaƟonal $21-23 per share. Proceeds from
Finance CorporaƟon (IFC) — FoundaƟon the public offer, likely to be just
Capital, Helion Ventures, and German under $113 million, will be used to cover operaƟonal costs of the company as
development bank DEG — are expected well as equity investment towards future projects. Reportedly, Canadian
to sell a porƟon of their stake. Another pension fund Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) is looking to
Canadian company – Brookfield – was invest $180 million and pick up a 35 per cent stake in Azure Power.
also reportedly looking to invest in the
company, eyeing a minority stake in CONTACT: AZURE POWER WEBSITE: WWW.AZUREPOWER.COM
Azure Power for `500 crore ($75 million).
CONTACT: AZURE POWER $300 million in subproject equity with a large number of schemes under
WEBSITE: WWW.AZUREPOWER.COM investment and $200 million in loans the National Solar Mission (JNNSM)
from commercial banks and other including this one in Maharashtra.
SOFTBANK EYES INDIAN financiers, the entire cost of the CONTACT: GOVT. OF MAHARASHTRA
SOLAR MANUFACTURING Solar Rooftop Investment Program WEBSITE: WWW.MAHARASHTRA.GOV.IN
is $1 billion The financing comprises
104 MW SOLAR PROJECT IN of $330 million from ADB and IREDA TO ENCOURAGE
TELANGANA BY BELETRIC $170 million from the multi-donor BOND ISSUANCE BY
Clean Technology Fund administered SOLAR DEVELOPERS
MYTRAH RAISING `800 CRORE by ADB.This funding should mean that
FROM PIRAMAL SFG ENERGY 11 million fewer tons of greenhouse IREDA will extend guarantees of
gases are emitted over the typical up to 25 per cent of a bond’s proposed
TATA POWER HITS HURDLES IN 25-year lifetime of solar rooftop systems. issue size, as per the most recent
SELLING INDONESIAN ARMS CONTACT: KEC INTERNATIONAL audited balance sheet.According to a
WEBSITE: WWW.KECRPG.COM government proposal, IREDA seeks to
KEC INTERNATIONAL TO provide credit enhancement via an
RAMP UP MODULE CAPACITY MAHARASHTRA RECEIVES unconditional, irrevocable guarantee for
`4.42 PER UNIT BID FOR part of the total amount.The program
Eyeing projects in the country, SOLAR PROJECT will be made available to developers of
KEC InternaƟonal is looking at making grid-connected solar and wind projects,
module mounƟng structures. “Rajasthan The Maharashtra state government with stringent guidelines in place to
has signed MoUs for 26,000 MW solar has received `4.42 per unit bid for its filter defaulters and poor performers.
power in state. Solar is also a focus area 450 MW of solar project under National According to sources within IREDA,
for the Centre. Keeping this in mind, we Solar Mission. Nine other companies the agency wants to stabilise the Indian
are expanding the capacity of module have submitted bids of `4.43 per unit. market for renewable energy bonds,
mounƟng structure,” said Rajesh According to a government release, the which could result in the availability of
Koolwal, VP - Manufacturing.
CONTACT: KEC INTERNATIONAL
WEBSITE: WWW.KECRPG.COM

14 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

funds at lower borrowing rates.The continue to get paid an incentive at AMPLUS COMMITS `90 CR FOR
guidelines stipulate that bonds can last 25 paise/kWh.The development has WALMART’S SOLAR PLANTS
for a maximum of 15 years. been received well by industry people.
CONTACT: IREDA CONTACT: HERC Amplus Energy SoluƟons
WEBSITE: WWW.IREDA.GOV.IN WEBSITE: WWW.HERC.GOV.IN has commiƩed an investment
of `90 crore to install and
HERC INCREASES INCENTIVE RENEW POWER TO RAISE commission 15 rooŌop solar
ON GRID CONNECTED $100 MN BY MARCH 2017 power plants for Walmart in
SOLAR PROJECTS India. The company plans to fund
ReNew PowerVentures Pvt. Ltd will the investment through the
Haryana Electricity Regulatory be raising a part of the $300 million $150 million it raised from
Commission (HERC) says starting from required for expansion of its green global infrastructure investment
August 2016, till March 2017, an incentive energy projects next financial year. fund, I Squared Capital, the
of `1/kWh shall be given by the discoms, ReNew Power will try to raise $100 to company said in a statement.
instead of the 25 paise/kWh offered earlier, $150 million by March and the balance The company has already
during financial year 2016-17. For rooftop would be raised through an initial commissioned a 297-kW rooŌop
solar systems installed by consumers public offering (IPO).The company, solar plant for Walmart’s Best
under the new solar policy (starting with almost 1 GW of solar and wind Price store at Agra, it added.
April 1, 2016 till July 31, 2016), incentive power in operation, wants to double Walmart India has signed a PPA
shall be given at the rate of 25 paise/kWh capacity by the end of the financial year with Amplus to solarise their
for the corresponding period. From in March and has another gigawatt 15 Best Price outlets.
there on, the incentive shall be applicable under construction.Till now, ReNew
at Rs 1/kWh.The incentive will be Power has raised total equity of CONTACT: AMPLUS SOLAR
capped at 90 per cent of total consumption $655 million since its inception in 2011.
in any financial year. Buildings of all WEBSITE: WWW.AMPLUSSOLAR.COM
categories other than residential, will CONTACT: RENEW POWER
ST
WEBSITE: WWW.RENEWPOWER.IN

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newsbeam projects www.SolarToday.co.in

ABB TO INSTALL MICRO-GRID AT NTPC to set up 10 GW solar power and as a part of it, a 75 kW
VADODARA FACILITY solar projects rooftop grid-interactive solar power
plant has been installed atopVikas Bhawan
ABB has announced that it will NTPC Ltd will expand its target of building.” The plant would produce
install a fully integrated and setting up 10 GW of solar capacity. It 1 lakh units of electricity per annum
standardised micro-grid at its will also support building of 15 GW of and help in saving over Rs 8 lakh as power
Vadodara facility in Gujarat, India, solar capacity by buying power from bill. It is expected that another 100 kW
to help boost renewable energy producers and selling it to distribution solar power plant would be installed at
generaƟon while reducing companies. It is exploring new the commissioner’s office building soon.
dependency on fossil fuel. Tying opportunities such as solar-equipment CONTACT: UPNEDA
into ABB’s Internet of Things manufacturing, solar parks and electric WEBSITE: WWW.UPNEDA.ORG.IN
approach, the containerised vehicle-charging infrastructure. NTPC,
installaƟon in Vadodara includes which has over 47 GW of capacity Tariffs for domestic content
a 600 kW rooŌop solar PV field mostly fired by fossil fuels, is leading projects lowered
and a PowerStore BaƩery grid PM Modi’s solar energy target of
stabilising system together with a installing 100 GW by 2022 by Even as India lost review of an
Microgrid Plus dedicated control
system, to help maximise the use ADANI INSTALLS THE WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR
of solar energy. POWER PLANT IN TN

CONTACT: ABB Adani Green Energy (Tamil Nadu)
WEBSITE: WWW.ABB.COM Ltd has commissioned the world’s
largest solar power plant of 648 MW.
RPower plans 400 MW solar Set up at Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram
powered unit in the southern state of Tamil Nadu,
with an investment of around `4,550
Odisha to implement rooŌop crore, the plant is part of the state’s
solar projects in major ciƟes ambiƟous target of generaƟng 3 GW as
per its solar energy policy unveiled in
Hindustan Power Project sets up 2012. The company sourced
31.5 MW solar plant in Punjab equipments and machinery from various parts of the world to set up the
enƟre 648 MW within a record Ɵme of eight months. A total of around 8,500
Delhi govt to set up 3 MW personnel worked hard day and night for averaging out about 11 MW of
solar power plant installaƟon in a day to set up the plant in the sƟpulated Ɵme.

WTC INSTALLS 250 KV CONTACT: ADANI WEBSITE: WWW.ADANI.COM
ROOFTOP SOLAR PROJECT
committing to buy clean powr in earlier WTO decision that found
Maxwell Solar and Wind Energy federal government-driven auctions.
has installed a 250 kV grid connected CONTACT: NTPC mandatory use of domestic content
rooŌop solar plant at the World Trade WEBSITE: WWW.NTPC.CO.IN
Centre in Mumbai. The plant has against international norms, leading
been set up on the Arcade building Vikas Bhawan installs
across 25,000 sq Ō and will take care 75 kW rooftop project developers in the country placed
of the air condiƟoning system of the solar power plant
enƟre building. It will generate over the lowest-ever bids for projects based,
3 lakh units annually. Making an eco-friendly move to
CONTACT: WTC utilise solar power, UP New and reflecting the low impact of the verdict.
WEBSITE: WWW.WTCA.ORG Renewable Energy Development
Agency (UPNEDA) took the initiative Solar Energy Corporation of India
to install the first 75 kW rooftop solar
power plant atVikas Bhawan. The plant (SECI) auctioned two solar projects at
has been made functional but it will be
used after the installation of meters Pavagada solar park in Karnataka, where
within two days. Project officer,
UPNEDA,Varanasi, RV Singh said,“We Tata Power Renewable Energy and
have been taking small steps to ensure
that most of the buildings function on Adani Green Energy secured rights to

develop projects of 50 MW each. Both

the projects are required to use only

Indian-made solar equipment, including

modules.The companies placed bids of

less than `5.00/kWh (US¢7.5/kWh),

the lowest-ever for projects auctioned

under the DCR scheme.

CONTACT: SECI

WEBSITE: WWW.SECI.GOV.IN ST

16 SOLAR September-October 2016

newsbeam international www.SolarToday.co.in

SOLAR PANELS SURPASS CIVIL WAR SPURS SPIKE is expected to begin in early 2017. It
COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY IN SOLAR ENERGY USE will be a ground-mounted installation
IN YEMEN that will include sun-tracking technology.
Solar panels generated more The British company has already
electricity than coal in the past The on-going civil war inYemen, secured 440 MW of solar projects
six months in a historic year for that began in 2015, has rendered the within Australia, and has announced
energy from the sun in the UK, country’s national grid essentially powerless. plans to develop 1 GW of solar PV in
according to a new analysis. ProvidingYemen’s capital Sanaa with the country over the next two years.
Research by the Carbon Brief only a few hours of electricity per day CONTACT: ECO ENERGY WORLD
website found that solar in 2015, it shut down completely following WEBSITE: ECOENERGYGROUP.COM.AU
generated nearly 7,000 GWh of air strikes on the city. Given the state of
electricity between April and affairs and soaring gasoline prices people AMERICANS FAVOUR SOLAR
September, about 10 per cent have increasingly turned to solar energy FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
more than the 6,300 GWh as a last resort.The booming solar CONCERNS
produced by coal during the business within this climate is evident as
same period. These figures according toYemeni development As the solar energy industry gears up
represent a dramaƟc turnaround
in the UK’s electricity supplies. SOLAR PLANT TO PROVIDE 50% OF STANFORD’S
ELECTRICITY BY YEAR-END
CONTACT: CARBON BRIEF
WEBSITE: WWW.CARBONBRIEF.ORG Work is nearing
compleƟon on a new
COST OF SOLAR DROPS 25% solar plant in
IN 5 MONTHS GLOBALLY Southern California’s
Kern County that
FARM POWERED BY SOLAR will provide
OPENS IN PORT AUGUSTA 50 per cent of
Stanford’s electricity.
1.9 MW COMMUNITY SOLAR The Stanford Solar
PROJECT TAPPED FOR TEXAS GeneraƟng StaƟon
is expected to be funcƟonal by the end of November. Following a tesƟng
ALTUS POWER AMERICA period, the plant is expected to be providing power to Stanford on a
RAISES $205 MN FOR SOLAR regular basis by the end of 2016. In addiƟon, more rooŌop solar panels are
being installed on campus, for which work is expected to be completed later
DWTC POWERS UP WITH this fall.
SOLAR ENERGY
CONTACT: STANFORD UNIVERSITY.WEBSITE: WWW.STANFORD.EDU
The Dubai World Trade Centre
(DWTC) has revealed plans to roll agency, Small and Micro Enterprise to add more electricity-generating
out new-age renewable energy Promotion Service (SMEPS), that has
soluƟons across its developments. been tracking the solar industry there. capacity than any other source this year,
DWTC has conducted a feasibility Sales of solar panels have increased by
study to develop a prioriƟsed over 2,000 per cent in the past year. a new Pew Research Center survey
programme for deployment across CONTACT: SMEPS
their assets,in the Trade Centre and WEBSITE: WWW.SFD.SFD-YEMEN.ORG finds that almost nine-in-ten U.S. adults
Jebel Ali locaƟons.
CONTACT: DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE UK DEVELOPER GIVEN (89 per cent) favour expanding use of
WEBSITE: WWW.DWTC.COM GREEN LIGHT FOR 140 MW
PLANT IN AUSTRALIA solar power, while only 9 per cent

Taking advantage of a growing solar oppose it.That sentiment bridges the
market Down Under, UK solar
developer Eco Energy World (EEW), partisan divide, with large majorities
via its Australian subsidiary has granted
consent for a 140 MW plant located in from across the political spectrum
Queensland, which will make up part
of a huge 1 GW solar plan that it has favouring more use of this alternative
over the next two years.The plant will
cost Aus$280 million and construction source.As such, planned large-scale

solar farms are expected to add 9.5 GW

of electricity-generating capacity,

according to the U.S. Energy

Information Administration (EIA), a

government agency that collects and

analyses information about the

energy industry.

CONTACT: US EIA

WEBSITE: WWW.EIA.GOV ST

17September-October 2016 SOLAR

corporate watch new launches

PANASONIC HONOURED WITH ‘LEADING ENERGY SOLUTIONS DUPONT PV SOLUTIONS
PROVIDER - RENEWABLE ENERGY INDIA’ AWARDS 2016 SHOWCASES PORTFOLIO

To recognise its conƟnued essenƟal pillars to drive growth and As the industry leader in solar
excellence and innovaƟon in the field profitability in India. With the current soluƟons, DuPont Photovoltaic
of renewable energy, Panasonic government’s push towards making SoluƟons (DPVS) had a strong
India’s Energy Storage SoluƟons was India a manufacturing hub via presence at the 10th REI Expo 2016.
awarded the best in the ‘Leading iniƟaƟves like Make in India, there is a The DuPont booth was an engaging
Energy Storage Provider’ category. common understanding that the experience where customers and
country’s energy needs will increase industry representaƟves viewed the
The award was part of the Renewable significantly, and that renewable company’s latest products and
Energy India Awards (REI) 2016, sources will play a crucial role in interacted with DuPont’s experts.
hosted by UBM India at the India Expo managing that requirement. The booth highlighted products
Centre in Greater Noida. from the DuPont porƞolio of solar
Atul Arya, Head, Energy Systems innovaƟons including DuPont™
Panasonic’s energy soluƟons Division, Panasonic said, “We are Solamet® metallisaƟon pastes and
division is part of a core commitment extremely honoured on receiving Tedlar® polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film
to the country and part of three this presƟgious award. This is in for protecƟve backsheets. It
conƟnuaƟon with our robust efforts featured collaboraƟons with
to provide a sustainable soluƟon for customers, including JinkoSolar
energy storage in India. Since peak and Tata Power Solar, that
usage of energy begins at dawn it is demonstrated the reliability
extremely important that we uƟlise enabled by DuPont materials.
energy in the most efficient manner DuPont leaders shared their
and when it is most required. Lithium experƟse on technology
ion is an answer to our storage advancements and trends in the
problems. It is an extremely industry through parƟcipaƟon
significant part of India’s energy in a panel discussion during
needs and will help India achieve the the conference.
NaƟonal Solar Mission capacity of
100 GW by 2022.” “With solar installaƟons surging
in India, we are focused on
Panasonic Lithium–ion has already improving efficiency and reliability
been established across the telecom of systems to help ensure long term
and banking sectors. performance and return on
investment, while minimising
BOSCH TO DOUBLE INSTALLED CAPACITY IN SOLAR performance and investment risks,”
ENERGY BY 2016-END said Rajaram Pai, business
leader, DuPont Electronics &
Showcasing its key soluƟons at the REI Expo 2016 in Delhi, Bosch India’s CommunicaƟons and Photovoltaic
Energy team is commiƩed to increasing the scope of its engagement with SoluƟons, South Asia. “DuPont is
customers. The relaƟvely young business team prides itself in bringing the leader in photovoltaic
technological innovaƟon to its soluƟons coupled with other features, such innovaƟons and is commiƩed to
as being unique, cost-effecƟve and environmentally friendly. “This year at helping our customers transform
REI, Bosch Energy and Building SoluƟons will showcase soluƟons and solar into a clean energy source for
projects that are in line with its vision of becoming the most reliable and the country.”
dependable energy partner for its customers,” said Venugopalan CM, Head
- Bosch India, Energy Business. CommenƟng further, he said, “Bosch will Customer collaboraƟons
look at increasing its degree of involvement with customers as we intend to highlighted at the DuPont booth
contribute from a more strategic perspecƟve.” where company experts
demonstrated various DuPont
By the end of 2016, Bosch India’s Energy team aims to double its capacity products. DuPont also exhibited
in solar energy. Going beyond, the business intends to penetrate key panels from its extensive field
industry sectors contribuƟng to their energy efficiency measures. “Bosch is tesƟng programme that
keen and tapping into the enterprise segment and capƟve consumers, demonstrated how materials maƩer
leveraging its technical and engineering design capabiliƟes,” stated Venugopalan. for long-term durability.

18 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.in

VIKRAM SOLAR LAUNCHES ‘HELITRAC’, A REVOLUTIONARY SUN-TRACKING SYSTEM

Vikram Solar has announced the breakthrough development, as it Solar, commented, “In large scale
launch of ‘HELITRAC’, a highly introduces certain unique features MW projects, uƟlisaƟon of sun-
advanced solar tracker with robust for the first Ɵme in India, viz., link tracking systems is becoming
weatherproof mechanism and tube with arƟculated joints, dust increasingly prevalent, as it enables
mulƟmode intelligent operaƟons. avoidance and rain mode. developers to make the maximum
The product was showcased at the uƟlisaƟon of available land by
REI Expo, Greater Noida. Set to boost HighlighƟng the importance of generaƟng more electricity even
the solar industry by further ‘HELITRAC’, Siddhartha Sengupta, from a shredded down DC capacity.
improving PV efficiencies, ‘HELITRAC’ President- Engineering, Vikram Our new product, HELITRAC,
can change its orientaƟon increases performance and PV
throughout the day to follow the efficiencies, offering various
sun’s path to maximise energy industry-first features and lowest
capture. It allows east-west land LCOE. The product has been
undulaƟons up to three-five degrees. introduced with a clear aim to cater
AddiƟonally, its IP65 gears and drives to the ever-growing energy needs in
make the system weatherproof and a cost-effecƟve way and to serve the
robust. The product is touted to be a energy revoluƟon.”

SUNGROW RELEASES NEW INVERTERS

BOSCH COMMITTED TO Sungrow, the world‘s largest PV SG80KTL (with big DC clamp)
INDIA MARKET inverter manufacturer, has released integrates funcƟons including string
new inverters at the REI Expo for the monitoring and DC fuses as well as
CelebraƟng its three-year emerging solar market in India. DC/AC surge protecƟon within its
anniversary this year, the business The company showcased its highly intelligent design. SG80KTL is also
unit of Bosch Energy and Business efficient, newly designed central designed for higher power yield with
SoluƟons (BEBS) has to its credit inverter — SG2500 (2.5 MW its maximum efficiency of up to
some of India’s most technical and container soluƟon) and two string 99 per cent.
complex installaƟons. An example inverters, the 1,100 V-SG60KTL
of this would be the installaƟon of (60KW) and the SG80KTL (80 KW with “Sungrow always focuses on
the 1 MW solar project for MaruƟ big DC clamp) at their booth. technical innovaƟon with an intenƟon
Suzuki Limited in Manesar. to offer beƩer products and services
Another highly acclaimed project Sungrow’s central inverter SG2500
is the commissioning of the is best characterised by its cost- to customers. We believe that these
12 MW solar project for CIAL. effecƟveness and highly reliable
Bosch intends to play a very containerised design. The inverter’s three new products can meet the
important role in the iniƟaƟve 10-foot standardised shipping
that India has taken to achieve the container design enables the SG2500 demands of the solar industry in India
100 GW by 2020 target. India’s to be easily deployed, saving installaƟon
solar energy provides a golden Ɵme and cost. With the three-level and exceed customer expectaƟons,”
opportunity for the country to topology design, maximum efficiency
move towards clean energy. For can reach up to 99 per cent, being the said Professor Renxian Cao,
Bosch, this is an opportunity and highest in class.
the business unit is commiƩed to
reducing the energy cost of its Sungrow also showcased its
commercial and industrial SG60KTL inverter (1,100 V). This
customers. To that end, the 60 KW string inverter is capable of
business division possesses strong overloading at 1.1Pn for a longer Ɵme
local competence that has been with its maximum DC input arriving
developed in-house to deliver at 1,100 V. Maximum DC/AC raƟo
projects with customised design reaches up to 1.4, which is again the
and engineering. best in class. The product is designed
for high power yields with its maximum
efficiency reaching up to 99 per cent. President of Sungrow. ST

Notably, the string inverter

19September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story Solar Today Awards

For the very first time, the Solar Today team
stepped forward for an event that brings the
solar power fraternity together while awarding
promising companies that made their mark in
the past year.

20 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

1st Solar Today Award Winners

AWARDS CATEGORY CRITERIA WINNERS

UTILITY SCALE SOLAR Capacity commissioned in India – Adani Green Energy Ltd
Project Developer in last 12 months – Acme
– Mahindra Susten Pvt Ltd
EPC Contractor – Sterling and Wilson Pvt Ltd
ROOFTOP SOLAR – L&T
Project Developer
Capacity commissioned in India – CleanMax Solar
EPC Contractor in last 12 months – Amplus Energy Solutions Pvt Ltd
TOP MANUFACTURER – Azure Power
Top Manufacturer (Module) – Tata Power Solar System Ltd
Top Manufacturer (Inverter) – Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd
JURY’S CHOICE AWARD – Hero Future Energies Ltd
Best Manufacturer in India
(Composite) Manufacturing in India – Vikram Solar Pvt Ltd
in last 12 months – ABB India Ltd
Best Innovation in the solar sector
– Strong reputation for quality
Best Start-up in the solar sector
– Ability to compete internationally – Vikram Solar Pvt Ltd
Emerging State
– Amongst top 10 players by size

– Transformational impact

– Potential for other – Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd
international markets

– Scalable

– Significant impact

on the solar sector – OMC Power
– Addressing unmet

needs of the sector

– Andhra Pradesh

21September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story jury meet

SOLAR
TODAY
AWARDS
2016

The expert
panel

F or the very first Ɵme, the SOLAR The nine award categories were as Best Start-up in the Sector (Jury’s
TODAY team stepped forward follows: Two for UƟlity Scale Solar Choice Award).
for an event that brings the (Project Developer and EPC
solar power fraternity together Contractor); two for RooŌop Solar To begin with, Pratap Padode,
while awarding promising companies (Project Developer and EPC Managing Director, Asapp Info Global
that made their mark in the past year. Contractor); Module and Inverter Group welcomed all the jury members
To deliberate upon the winners in Manufacturer (each one); Top who included Tarun Kapoor, Principal
various categories, a jury panel came Manufacturer in India – Quality and Secretary, Environment and Forests,
together on September 9, 2016, in the Cost CompeƟƟveness (Jury’s Choice Government of Himachal Pradesh;
Luytens Boardroom, the Eros Hotel, Award); Best InnovaƟon in the Prafulla Pathak, Secretary General,
Nehru Place, New Delhi. Sector (Jury’s Choice Award) and Solar Energy Society of India; PR
Jaishankar, Chief General Manager,

“The solar sector has presently reached a stage “There have been some struggles in
where one would see very fast and unstoppable the sector, but with the efforts being
growth. There are enough companies, there is made since 2010 by MNRE, the
expertise, there is money/investment flowing sector is witnessing the momentum
in, and most of the government policies are in that we are seeing today.”
place – it’s just a question of replication.”
- Tarun Kapoor, - Prafulla Pathak,
Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests,
Government of Himachal Pradesh Secretary General,

22 SOLAR September-October 2016 Solar Energy Society of India

www.SolarToday.co.in

Our Eminent Jury Panel (L-R): Shirish Garud, Director and Senior Fellow, TERI; Santosh Janakiram, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas;
Preetam D’Souza, Partner, Kochhar & Co; Prafulla Pathak, Secretary General, Solar Energy Society of India; PR Jaishankar, CGM, IIFCL;

Pratap Padode, Managing Director, Asapp Info Global Group and Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director, Bridge to India.

IIFCL; Vinay Rustagi, Managing Beginning the jury selecƟon referenced with details provided by
Director, Bridge to India; Shirish S process, Rustagi of Bridge to India, the government departments and
Garud, Director and Senior Fellow, with whom the Solar Today Awards other market players.
TERI; Preetam D’Souza, Partner, has a Ɵe-up as knowledge partner,
Kochhar & Co and Santosh Janakiram, explained the methodology to the Jury Rustagi further elaborated on the
Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. members. He stated that Bridge to parameters for the basis of selecƟon
Padode spoke briefly about the India has conducted an extensive data as only companies with grid-
1st Solar Today Awards, which is collecƟve exercise and relied on connected projects above 1 MW have
scheduled at the Bombay ExhibiƟon mulƟple market sources to provide been considered for this award. Bridge
Centre in associaƟon with InterSolar accurate, factual informaƟon as far as to India also relied on AC capacity
on October 21, 2016. possible with all the data cross- numbers where available, and
considered capacity commissioned in

“Looking at the segment, we at IIFCL have “As a consulting and research company,
come out with credit enhancements for we undertake an extensive exercise that
renewable energy projects and enabled is getting more difficult as the volume
them to issue bonds. We also have a very increases. But it is exciting to see the
good pipeline in the renewable segment, industry growing at such a great pace.”
which we hope to go forward with.”
- Vinay Rustagi,
- PR Jaishankar,
Managing Director, Bridge to India
Chief General Manager, IIFCL

23September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story jury meet www.SolarToday.co.in

Tarun Kapoor, Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests, Government of Himachal Pradesh
(second from left) chaired the proceeding of the 1st Solar Today Awards 2016.

the last 12 months. When researching reputaƟon for quality, ability to received three nominaƟons – Amplus
EPC contractors, they found that in compete internaƟonally and whether Solar, Ezysolare and Dataglen.
many projects, the role is split the company is amongst the Top 10 However, a moƟon was offered by the
between mulƟple parƟes and players in the country, by virtue of Jury to also consider OMC Power, as it
they had to use several criteria size and volume. Here, apart from was the only organisaƟon that started
including final responsibility for Vikram, Waaree and ABB, a moƟon without any subsidies from the
commissioning and value of contracts was offered by the Jury to consider government and currently has built a
for determining credits. names such as Tata, Jupitor (cell business model viable for micro-grid
manufacturing) and Schneider. The projects, uƟlising 30 per cent
For the first six awards — UƟlity Jury unanimously voted for Vikram subsidies. Considering these factors,
Scale Solar (Project Developer and Solar, which emerged as a clear the jury unanimously voted for OMC
EPC Contractor); RooŌop Solar winner in this secƟon. Power, which emerged the victor in
(Project Developer and EPC this category.
Contractor); Module Manufacturer DeliberaƟons over the Jury’s
and Inverter Manufacturer — winners Choice Award for Best InnovaƟon in Besides this, it was unanimously
were decided purely based on the size the sector had the Jury debaƟng over suggested that a separate award be
or capacity. The decision of the top the transformaƟonal impact made by prepared for the state’s efforts in
three players has been adjudged on the nominees, their potenƟal for solar, based on the projects
the basis of data collected by Bridge other internaƟonal markets and their commissioned in the last one year.
to India. scalability in the future. Here, the Jury Accordingly, the panel suggested
voted for Su-kam (Winner) as it was three states based on their capacity
The laƩer three awards — Top adjudged as being the first company addiƟon — namely Tamil Nadu (1,368
Manufacturer in India — Quality and to develop the world’s first touch MW), Rajasthan (1,307 MW) and
Cost CompeƟƟveness; Best screen solar inverters and baƩery Gujarat (1,112 MW), however, in the
InnovaƟon in the Sector and Best storage capacity. final voƟng process, it was felt that
Start-up in the Sector — were the state that deserved the accolade
selected by the Jury, based on While deciding the Jury’s Choice was Andhra Pradesh.
discussions conducted and the Award for Best Start-up in the sector,
nominaƟons received. the panel looked at the significant In the end, data was
impact on the sector made by these comprehensively scruƟnised and
For the Jury’s Choice Award for start-ups, and what and how much of decisions were made. Read on to
Manufacturer in India (Composite) the unmet needs in the sector were know the companies who made it to
— Quality and CompeƟƟveness, the being addressed by them. Here they the list of winners…
factors considered were strong

“My work in the renewables sector, “I feel that there is very interesting financial
particularly wind, has drawn me engineering that is going to happen in this sector,
to the emerging solar market which is imperative as traditional means of
in India and instilled a lot of finance cannot work with the kind of pace and
interest, for it’s the future in scale of projects that we need to develop. So that
the country.” is the phase I’m actually looking forward to.”
- Preetam D’Souza,
Partner, Kochhar & Co - Santosh Janakiram, Partner,

24 SOLAR September-October 2016 Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

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India’s First Magazine Dedicated to Emerging Solar Industry

cover story Solar Today Awards

Andhra Pradesh

THE EMERGING STAR

Andhra Pradesh is poised for rapid state in the country and has the 2nd sustaining inclusive double-digit
industrial growth and availability of largest coastline in India (974 km). economic growth, to become one
power is criƟcal to sustain its vision of AP is amongst the fastest growing amongst the three best states in India
achieving double digit growth. With state economies in the country by 2022, the best state by 2029, and a
renewable energy sources becoming registering a GSDP growth rate of leading global investment desƟnaƟon
cost compeƟƟve compared with 10.99 per cent in FY 2015-16. Over the by 2050.
convenƟonal energy sources, it is years, the state has developed a
imperaƟve to plan and support clean strong industrial base primarily in the That said, AP has conducted a
energy. Accordingly, AP has food processing, texƟles, chemicals bidding process during July-
announced the AP solar power and petrochemicals, pharmaceuƟcals September, 2014 for procuring solar
policy -2015 and AP wind power and metallurgy sectors. The state power across different districts. The
policy -2015 to harness its large achieved a double-digit growth result: around 619 MW of solar PPAs
renewable energy potenƟal for in manufacturing sector of were signed and around 512 MW of
meeƟng the growing power 10.80 per cent in FY 2015-16. solar power capacity has already
requirements of the state. been commissioned.
That can be clearly evident from
The state is the 8th largest the fact that AP is expected to add Meanwhile, the state has also
4,107 MW of solar power capacity encouraged solar power deployment
Nara Chandrababu during FY17 to FY22 and has set a through various programmes. A case
Naidu target of achieving 2,000 MW of solar in point would be 4,000 MW
rooŌop by 2022. capaciƟes of solar parks being
developed, which when
The visionary Chief Minister, commissioned, will be amongst the
Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has world’s largest solar parks. The state
undertaken many pioneering has already installed 9.58 MW of
iniƟaƟves to transform the state of rooŌop solar capacity and power is
Andhra Pradesh and make it procured by discoms via net metering
emerge as a role model for chief and gross metering mechanisms.
ministers across the country.
AP is implemenƟng one of the
The vision of Chandrababu Naidu largest solar pumpset programmes
for the solar sector clearly reflects in to benefit the farmers with around
a recently released draŌ of ‘Sunrise 6,860 solar pumpsets already
Andhra Pradesh Vision 2029’ a installed. Further, installaƟon of
document that envisions to transform 2,865 solar pumpsets is under
the state into a happy, inclusive, progress. In addiƟon to that a
responsible, globally compeƟƟve and tender for 7,000 solar pumpsets
innovaƟon-driven society through is expected to be floated in
structural transformaƟon and by October, 2016.

CORPORATE WATCH

ACHIEVEMENTS Year of Establishment: Established in the year
1986, NREDCAP is the nodal agency
• EPDCL award for Utility that achieved fastest Rural Electrification
in the last decade Completed Projects: 945 MW
(as on August 1, 2016)
• EPDCL rated best discom in “Operational Study of ten
selected discom Ongoing Projects: Around 7,000 MW

• NREDCAP was awarded the Best State Nodal Agency (SNA)
award for the year 2014-15

• APTRANSCO bags National Award of “Silver Shield” in Feb 2014.

26 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

ACME

THE EARLY MOVER

ACME entered the sunrise sector However, the achievements of backed by our robust innovaƟon lab
in 2007-2008. It set up India’s first ACME are incomplete without model,” ideated Upadhyay.
concentrated solar plant (CSP) in 2010 menƟoning its Founder & Chairman,
in Rajasthan. Now, with a solar power Manoj Kumar Upadhyay. Manoj Kumar
porƞolio of around 1,700 MW, the Upadhyay
company has now become one of the DiversificaƟon and creaƟon of an
leading green energy soluƟons addiƟonal line of business clearly
providers in India. The company is disƟnguishes him from many other
commiƩed and on track to achieve its first generaƟon entrepreneurs. In the
target of 7.5 GW of installed solar last four years, he has been focusing
power projects by 2019. Apart from on building new generaƟon uƟliƟes
India, the company is also exploring using solar energy and energy
other geographies to evaluate storage soluƟons.
business potenƟals.
His vision is: “Building next
In fact, the company is known for generaƟon uƟliƟes and the mission of
giving various firsts and developing providing sustainable green energy at
disrupƟve soluƟons in the green an affordable rate.” Capitalising on its
energy sector. Some of them include innovaƟon, technology and
construcƟng a 15 MW financially manufacturing strengths as well as the
viable solar plant in Gujarat in record presence of service infrastructure
Ɵme; building the first 100 MW solar across the country, ACME has
energy plant in Rajasthan and turning launched ‘Idea Factory’, a unique
the ACME headquarters into India’s opportunity to take business
first baƩery operated building ideas from the drawing board
supported by game-changing to the marketplace.
lithium-ion technology.
Idea Factory is a
What’s more, ACME’s 25 MW plant brainchild of Upadhyay,
at Madhya Pradesh achieved a record to promote talent and
output of 25 GWh in six months of encourage innovaƟon
installaƟon, a record in maximum across the country. It is
power output by any solar power a step towards the
plant of that scale. company’s conƟnued
pursuit of excellence.
Being one of the early entrants
into the sector, the company has a “We aim to add life
large knowledge base, based on to bright ideas
its experiences and learning. by advancing
entrepreneurship

CORPORATE WATCH ACHIEVEMENTS

Year of Establishment: 2007 • Solar Excellence Award 2016
Areas of operations: Telecom and renewable energy • Renewable Energy India Award 2016
Number of Employees: 4,000 + employees across • Renewable Energy India Award 2015
various business verticals • Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award
Completed Projects: 494 MW • The renowned V&D100 ‘Technovator of the Year’ Award
Ongoing Projects: 870 MW • “Dare” Inspiring Entrepreneurs Award.
Upcoming Projects: 190 MW
27September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story Solar Today Awards

Mahindra Susten

THE SUSTAINER

Being one of the fastest growing has been established as one of the Meanwhile, aŌer five years in the
porƞolio companies under the leading companies in the Indian solar business, the company offers turnkey
$1 billion Mahindra Partners group, in industry. Its developer arm has a EPC services for uƟlity scale solar PV,
the last five years, Mahindra Susten made a green commitment to set up rooŌop solar PV and sustainable
1 GW of renewable assets across India infrastructure. AddiƟonally, it also
Basant Jain offers innovaƟve products like single
by 2022, with 260 MWp axis solar PV tracker, micro-grid
Solar PV assets currently soluƟons, PV module cleaning robots
under various stages and varied services like engineering,
of development. O&M (OperaƟons & Maintenance)
Sharing his vision, and analyƟcs.
Basant Jain, Chief ExecuƟve
Officer, says, “My aim is to Its machine-pulse division offers
guide the organisaƟon the M2M (Machine to Machine) and
towards becoming the most IoT (Internet of Things) soluƟons to
admired brand in sustainable the solar, wind and factory segments,
infrastructure and renewable and has developed the industry
energy. Our aim is to provide leading solar ERP solarpulse® which
electricity to those fellow equips its customers to remotely
Indians in remote monitor plant performance. In
locaƟons, who addiƟon, the company also has the
currently do windpulse® and Factorypulse®
not have soluƟons empowering monitoring
access to and analyƟcs for wind farm and
electricity, factory owners.
through
frugal Mahindra Susten is all set to
innovaƟve deliver over 1 GW of solar PV
means and power plants across India by
clean March 2017, with 550 MWp
energy.” already commissioned. Customers
like SoŌBank Energy, Fonroche,
First Solar, Renew Power, Asian Paints,
Infosys and Tech Mahindra
are proud owners of some of India’s
finest plants with 2-5 per cent higher
generaƟon as compared to other
plants around them.

ACHIEVEMENTS CORPORATE WATCH

• Utility Solar EPC of FY2014 and FY2015 Year of Establishment: 2011
• World Class Innovative Solar Enterprises (2nd Sourya Urja Areas of operations: Utility scale solar EPC and
distributed solar EPC
Puraskar Awards 2015) Number of Employees: Around 650
• MNRE CRISIL Grade: SP 1A Completed Projects: 240 MW+
• First to commission India’s utility scale plant with single axis Ongoing Projects: 530 MW (including order book)
Turnover: Rs 1009.67 crore (FY16)
tracker system.

28 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

Sterling & Wilson

THE CONSOLIDATOR

Sterling & Wilson, a group company offering all services under one roof. alarm systems, mechanical EPC,
of the 151-year-old $4.2 billion AŌer seeing the success of Sterling & EBOP power & metals and EHV
conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Wilson, there was a flurry of substaƟons, distributed power &
Group, is a leading globally renowned acquisiƟons in the Indian market, co-generaƟon, data-centre EPC,
solar EPC company, having an installed which led to consolidaƟon in the operaƟon & maintenance and
solar PV plant capacity of more than industry and the emergence of a internaƟonal operaƟons.
1,010 MW globally, with the largest few players offering MEP services in
project of 90 MW in South Africa. India. This has a changed the Khurshed
dynamics of the contracƟng business Daruvala
The company has worked with in the country.
leading developers from India and
abroad. It is among the top 10 global Presently, the company’s pipeline
solar EPC companies, and the largest of solar projects covers Asia, Middle
unilateral pure play EPC provider East, Africa and LaƟn America. Sterling
outside the US and China, as rated by & Wilson has evolved as a leading
IHS Markit in its report, “Solar EPC and turnkey MEP services company. Some
O&M provider Tracker Q3, 2016”. of the iconic projects accomplished
are First InternaƟonal Financial Centre
Khurshed Daruvala, Managing (FIFC), Mumbai; Terminal 3-Indira
Director, Sterling & Wilson Pvt Ltd Gandhi InternaƟonal Airport, Delhi;
envisioned the company as a one-stop Lulu InternaƟonal Mall, Kochi;
soluƟon provider for all Mechanical, Buddha InternaƟonal Circuit,
Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Delhi and Ford India, Gujarat, to
requirements. Over the last 16 years, name a few.
Daruvala has spearheaded Sterling &
Wilson, taking the turnover from a Sterling & Wilson is a
mere Rs 7 crore to over Rs 4,000 crore. mulƟdivisional company.
The team has grown from less than The business interests range
100 to 3,000 people, aƩracƟng and from turnkey MEP projects,
employing the best of the talent from turnkey EPC for solar
the industry. power projects, electrical,
HVAC, DG sets from
Daruvala has been the key architect 10 kVA to 3,300 kVA,
of the MEP service offering trend in manufacturing of
India, with compeƟtor organisaƟons HT/LT panels,
following suit. UnƟl Sterling & Wilson plumbing and
integrated all MEP services, the firefighƟng,
service offering in India was security and fire
fragmented and no single player was

CORPORATE WATCH ACHIEVEMENTS

Year of establishment: 1927 • Rated Top 10 globally by IHS Markit in its report “Solar EPC and
O&M provider Tracker Q3, 2016”
Areas of operations: Other than solar EPC, the
company has been a leader in turnkey MEP • Awarded ‘Best Solar EPC Company’ by Intersolar India 2015
services, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, firefighting, • Awarded ‘Leading Solar EPC’ in the category of ‘Excellence in
EHV substations, solar EPC, diesel generators,
cogeneration power, and data-centres. EPC’ in the Renewable Energy Awards, 2015
• Awarded the ‘Energize’ Indian Power Sector Award for
Number of employees: 3,500 approx
‘Excellence in Solar EPC’ for the year 2012-13 and 2013-14, as
Projects: More than 80 projects spanning India of evaluated by Ernst & Young and presented by CNBC-TV 18.
various capacities, in different stages of execution.
29September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story Solar Today Awards

CleanMax Enviro

THE GREEN CRUSADER

“Enable a renewable world by CleanMax ensures that the journey excess depreciaƟon and impairment.
enabling corporate India to go green towards sustainability is a smooth CleanMax also provides world-class
through solar adopƟon.” This is the one. Its prompt legal and financial remote monitoring and O&M to
vision statement of Kuldeep Jain, closure and commissioning processes maximise operaƟonal performance.
Managing Director, CleanMax Enviro are set in place to minimise any This enables the plant to produce
Energy SoluƟons. hassles along the way. All that is maximum amount of energy
required is an idle roof or unused throughout its operaƟonal life,
Being a green crusader, CleanMax land, and CleanMax will do the rest. perfectly aligning the interests of
Solar develops solar power plants for developers, clients and the investors.
large scale industries and commercial Founded in 2011, CleanMax Solar
establishments, helping them reduce is India’s largest on-site rooŌop solar In addiƟon, the company uses only
power cost and carbon footprint developer and under Jain’s leadership, the highest quality components,
without incurring any upfront cost. the company has emerged as the including Tier 1 modules backed
With turnkey soluƟons – right from largest onsite solar developer with a by robust linear degradaƟon
installaƟon to lifeƟme maintenance – market share of 28 per cent as per warranƟes. It also specialises in
Bridge to India RooŌop Solar Map 2016. system design that matches the
Kuldeep Jain locaƟon requirements, including wind
This can be evident from the fact speed, corrosion risks, maintenance
that the company has grown from an requirements and other factors.
onsite porƞolio of 100 kW in 2013 to
50 MW installed capacity in 2016, As a solar developer, the company’s
across all major states. That said, it only priority is to reduce the lifeƟme
has hands-on experience in rooŌop cost of energy, which means
solar installaƟon, with more than ensuring long system life and high
72 completed projects. The company’s long-term performance.
USP is commissioning of a project
within three-six months of contract CleanMax has also successfully
closure, typically less than commissioned the first solar park in
30 days of actual installaƟon Karnataka under the new Solar Policy
work on site. in the state. In fact, the clientele list
that includes Tata Group Companies,
OperaƟon & maintenance (O&M) Mahindra Group Companies,
is one of the most criƟcal ways to Bengaluru Airport (With expected
ensure that the solar power system annual savings of Rs 20 lakh, this
gives the best possible generaƟon. 500 kW plant was set up across six
buildings in the airport premises),
CleanMax Solar maintains the plant Alkem Laboratories, TVS Group of
infrastructure and equipment, with Companies, Manipal University, etc.,
the goal of improving the says it all.
equipment’s life by prevenƟng

CORPORATE WATCH

ACHIEVEMENTS Year of Establishment: 2011
Areas of operations: Onsite solar markets pan-
• Best Solar Developer by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India, solar parks in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Government of India Number of Employees: 85
Completed Projects: 50 MW, pan-India
• Best EPC Player by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ongoing Projects: 10 MW, pan-India
Government of India. Turnover: Rs 116 crore

30 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

Amplus Solar

THE PLUS FACTOR

AŌer dabbling in many energy Sanjeev Aggarwal needs of the end customer in the
sources including coal, gas, hydro and most reliable and cost-efficient way,
wind with the focus remaining on Amplus Solar was founded by Amplus is making great strides
direct supply to consumers, Amplus Sanjeev Aggarwal and Guru Inder keeping in sync with the market
finally zeroed in on distributed solar Mohan Singh. Aggarwal is the dynamics and changing technology
in 2013 and commissioned its first Managing Director and CEO and Singh trends across the world.
rooŌop project in 2014 for an manages the operaƟons as Director
educaƟonal insƟtute in Maharashtra. and COO of Amplus Energy SoluƟons. With a diverse porƞolio of clients
Since then, there was no looking back including manufacturing organisaƟons
for the company. Amplus Energy was formed with a across aerospace & defence,
desire to create something long lasƟng automoƟve, FMCG, consumer
Amplus Energy is dedicated to the that can be at the forefront of durables, pharma, food processing,
distributed (rooŌop) sector and has a developing business and technological and commercial establishments,
unique advantage of understanding trends with a moƩo “to create a Amplus owns and manages a porƞolio
this space as compared to other workplace where people would love of operaƟonal and under-construcƟon
leading players. The company to work and investors would like to plants of approx 30 MW, serving
specialises in rooŌop solar power invest”. With a vision of providing more than 30 customers at over
plants for on-building rooŌops, car distributed generaƟon at the base of 200 locaƟons under its brand
parks, and open spaces within the the pyramid of the grid to cater to the ‘Amplus Solar’ and ‘M+ Solar’.
premises on Build Own Operate
Transfer (BOOT) basis and is an The company is backed by
end-to-end soluƟon provider — I Squared Capital, a global
including design, engineering, private equity fund focused on
procurement, construcƟon, developing long-term sustainable
monitoring and maintenance. infrastructure assets.

The USP of the company is its Guru Inder
business model — delivering Mohan Singh
immediate, risk-free savings with no
investment from the customer or any
hassle of operaƟons or maintenance,
combined with full aƩenƟon to their
needs. The company strives to create
value for its customers through
efficiencies in development, financing,
construcƟon and operaƟon of
distributed solar energy projects
across the country.

CORPORATE WATCH ACHIEVEMENTS

Year of establishment: Year 2010 • Won the National Excellence Award from Govt. of India for
Areas of operations: Distributed solar and energy rooftop project development
customised solutions
Number of Employees: Approx. 100 member • Won the Green Energy Provider award, Best Project
dedicated team of professionals Development Award, and Commercial Rooftop Installation
Completed Projects: 16 MW award organised by the CMO
Ongoing Projects: 18 MW
• Won the Gold category of EEF Global awards 2016 conducted by
the Energy And Environment Foundation (EE Foundation)

• Won an award for the most Innovative Solar Project under
Rooftop Scale 2016 by Mission Energy Foundation.

31September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story Solar Today Awards

Tata Power Solar

THE VETERANS

Tata Power Solar, with 25 years of contractors, clients, employees, Tata Power Solar has commissioned
experƟse, is India’s largest integrated shareholders, and ulƟmately society. 320 MW of uƟlity scale and 117 MW
solar company. As a pioneer and This is not possible unless the of rooŌop projects across India. Its
market leader in the solar space, it company is honest and pursues customised rooŌop soluƟons have
offers a gamut of solar soluƟons objecƟves diligently, which is part of helped mulƟple residenƟal,
ranging from cells & modules, to the DNA of this organisaƟon. commercial and industrial customers
engineering, procurement and meet their needs for reliable power
construcƟon for uƟliƟes, commercial Tata Power has internal aspiraƟons and reduce carbon footprint, while
& residenƟal segments, along with to generate 30-40 per cent of its making sound fiscal sense.
innovaƟve products. capacity from renewables, and to
become a fully integrated player. Since acquiring Welspun,
Tata Power Solar is commiƩed to This is a responsible aspiraƟon. Tata Power is now India’s largest
enabling solar everywhere and aims to developer, with around 9 per cent of
provide energy access to millions of “We have tasted success so far, installed capacity in the country.
people across the country via its but it is good to pursue further
integrated solar soluƟons. goals — parƟcularly in solar,” feels
Ashish Khanna, ExecuƟve Director
It takes a lot of effort to be a and CEO, Tata Power Solar.
successful business that also gives
back to society, and Tata Power Solar The company has one of India’s
is thinking about how to build a largest integrated solar manufacturing
culture of trust with all its faciliƟes with 180 MW of cell and
stakeholders — which includes 300 MW of module manufacturing
capacity. A leader in EPC services,

Ashish Khanna

Tata Power Solar’s Chitradurga project.

CORPORATE WATCH

Year of Establishment: 1989 ACHIEVEMENTS

Areas of operations: Solar EPC, manufacturing of • ‘Leading EPC - Solar’ Award at REI Expo 2016
solar cell & modules, solar solutions for urban • ‘Best Solar Player of the Year’ Award, at EM
and rural markets
(Electronics Maker) Awards, 2016
Number of Employees: 700+ • ‘Rooftop Solar Power Projects’ Award by MNRE in

Completed Projects: Pan-India, 320 MW of utility the channel partner/EPC contractor category, 2016
scale and 117 MW of rooftop and distributed • ‘Rooftop Solar EPC Company’ Award 2016 — by
generation projects.
FirstView group, 2016.

32 SOLAR September-October 2016

150

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cover story Solar Today Awards

Su-Kam

THE INNOVATOR

If India wants to know the most company holds a record for filing over For Kunwer Sachdeva, Founder &
successful examples of ‘Make in India’ 100 patents, which is the highest MD, Su-Kam, innovaƟon and
it is Su-Kam. Founded in 1998, as a number for any Indian company in the sophisƟcaƟon in products is the passion.
start up, innovaƟon has always been power back-up sector. He has not only conceptualised products
the key mantra due to which the which were ahead of their Ɵmes, but,
With offices around the world and these innovaƟons were possible only
Kunwer Sachdeva an ever-growing global dealer and due to the robust Research and
distributor network of about 40,000, Development unit of Su-Kam.
Su-Kam has been listed in Fortune 500
as one of India’s fastest growing “I wish to see every Indian
companies. Other than India, the household running on solar in some
company has presence over 90 way,” he avers. Sachdeva could
countries ranging from Africa, Middle foresee that a ‘solar revoluƟon’ will
East and Asia Pacific. soon hit India, which has led Su-Kam’s
to steer its direcƟon towards making
As early as 2000, the company solar products about a decade ago.
established a Research and He is being hailed as the ‘Solar Man
Development facility – it became the of India’.
only company in this sector to do so.
Sachdeva is leading Su-Kam on the
Owing to the dedicaƟon of path to making ‘smart products’. In
scienƟsts, researchers, engineers and near future, all of Su-Kam’s solar
technicians, the company has been products will have embedded
soŌware so that they can be
successful in building India’s first operated from anywhere in the
sine wave inverter, high world by downloading an app in
capacity UPS, home UPS and smart phones.
world’s first plasƟc body
inverter. Su-Kam has created At the end, tech revoluƟonary
India’s first hybrid solar UPS Sachdeva says, “Our 100 per cent
for home and touch screen, ‘Made in India’ brand, Su-Kam, is
Wi-Fi enabled Solar PCU. commiƩed to providing cost-effecƟve
One of the most important solar soluƟons for everyone,
technovaƟons by Su-Kam is everywhere - from lighƟng small
Solarscopie – one of its villages with 80 W solar DC systems,
kind devices which can to making the Indian army run on our
assess the performance of 1.3 MW solar, we are solarising India
two solar products (of (and the world).”
different brands).

CORPORATE WATCH

ACHIEVEMENTS Year of Establishment: 1998

• Best Innovative Brand 2016 - Assocham Excellence Award Areas of operations: India, Africa, Middle East
• India’s 1st inverter company to get certified by BIS and Asia Pacific
• Recipient of Highest MNRE CRISIL SP1A Solar Grade
• Amity Corporate Excellence Award 2015 Number of Employees: 1,000
• MNRE Channel Partner for off-grid projects up to March 2015
• Global Achievers’ Award 2014 Completed Projects: 121 grid-tied and off-grid
• ‘Best Solar Rural Electrification Company’ by Solar Quarter 2016. projects worth `165 crore
Ongoing Projects: 20 projects worth `68.35 crore
Upcoming Projects: 5 projects worth `51.33 crore

34 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

Hero Future Energies

THE RISING HERO

Hero Future Energies (HFE), one of HFE, which came into existence in Under the leadership of Rahul Munjal
the leading Independent Power the year 2012, has presence in nearly and Sunil Jain, CEO, HFE has scaled
Producers, is poised to integrate 10 states of India with high quality new heights since its incepƟon.
renewable energy in the energy mix of operaƟng asset base of ~360 MW The highly skilled and efficient
the country by idenƟfying the best across wind, solar PV (grid connected) senior management and execuƟon
soluƟons and install renewable energy & rooŌop plants with around 1 GW + team has assisted the company to
systems benchmarked against the wind projects and 500 + MW of solar aƩain one of the lowest employees
best-in-class engineering standards. projects in the pipeline. The company per MW in the industry.
has plans to focus on solar-wind
With a vision to drive India’s hybrid technology in the near future. The company is known for
development by leading a change in adhering to the highest standard of
generaƟng energy using renewable The company is in the process to corporate governance. With a
resources like wind, sun and hydro, become a leading power generator of porƞolio of over 2.5 GW+ by March
Rahul Munjal, Founder & Managing gigawaƩ scale, consistently deploying 2020, HFE is well on its way to
Director is a frontrunner in providing best-in-class green technologies, becoming one of the largest IPPs in
sustainable, cost effecƟve and clean aƩracƟng and empowering the finest the Indian renewables market.
power, thereby reducing carbon talent to emerge as India’s most valuable
emissions, leading to a greener planet and respected renewable energies
for future generaƟons. The company company, commiƩed to serving its
calls this “planet posiƟve power”. domesƟc and InternaƟonal clientele.

Headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Rahul Munjal

CORPORATE WATCH ACHIEVEMENTS
Year of Establishment: 2012
Areas of operations: Independent Power Producer • HFE has won ;Most innovative Rooftop project’ award from
Number of Employees: 148 Mission Energy Foundation, supported by MNRE, in 2016
Completed Projects: 40 MW (solar)
Ongoing Projects: 300 +MW under construction • HFE has won ‘National awards for excellence’ in the Renewable
and 200 +MW under development Energy category for Conventional Rooftop Installation of the
Upcoming Projects: Approx. 500 MW year 2015
Turnover: Rs 294.10 crore for FY 15- 16
• Best Wind Farm of the Year 2015 by World CSR Congress.

35September-October 2016 SOLAR

cover story Solar Today Awards

Vikram Solar

THE BENGAL TIGER

Energy is the cornerstone of any With a view on sustainable designed to the highest standards of
economy and our sector is acceleraƟng entrepreneurship, Gyanesh Chaudhary, quality, reliability and performance.
like never before. With more than Managing Director and CEO, Vikram Vikram’s in-house research and
1.2 billion people, India is facing a Solar, wanted to contribute in shaping development efforts help it to stay
huge energy demand today. Solar was the energy revoluƟon, not just in ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving
only a natural progression for Vikram India, but across the world. solar technology space. Vikram Solar
Solar, keeping in mind its clean and conducts research study programs with
abundant nature. A dynamic business leader, leading laboratories across the globe.
Chaudhary is the key driving force
of Vikram Solar. Under his able AŌer reaching the 0.5 GW mark of
leadership, the company has annual rated module producƟon
established itself as an internaƟonally capacity in 2015-16, Vikram Solar is
acclaimed solar PV module further expanding capacity to 2 GW by
manufacturer and a comprehensive FY 2020.
EPC soluƟons provider. With
internaƟonal presence across four As a fully forward-integrated solar
conƟnents, the company is an acƟve EPC soluƟons provider, Vikram deploys
contributor in shaping the solar world-class technology to design,
revoluƟon across the globe. install and commission benchmark
solar projects. Vikram Solar takes
As a Tier-1 PV module pride in its track record of over
manufacturer (Bloomberg New Energy 130 MW installed solar project
Finance ranking), its products are capacity in India.

Gyanesh Chaudhary

A state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of Vikram Solar.

ACHIEVEMENTS CORPORATE WATCH

• ‘Leading Renewable Energy Manufacturer – Solar’ award at Year of Establishment: 2006
Renewable Energy India Expo 2015 Areas of operations: PV module manufacturing,
EPC solutions and Operations and Mainte-
• National Excellence Awards 2016 for Rooftop Solar Power nance (O&M) services.
Projects by MNRE Number of Employees: 1500+ (2015-16)
Completed Projects: 130 MW
• CII award for Quality, 2015-16 Turnover: Rs 910.69 crore (2015-16)
• Rooftop Solar EPC Company of the Year award
• ET Bengal Corporate award for Fastest Growing Company in

Rs 300-Rs 1,000 crore category.

36 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

OMC Power

THE RURAL CONNECTOR

With a vision to become world ecosystem with improved access to match its ambiƟous growth target of
leaders in distributed power in rural
areas via renewable resources, OMC educaƟon, health and other basic 260 per cent over the next year.
Power (formerly known as Omnigrid
Micropower Company Pvt. Ltd) was necessiƟes, and leading to overall OMC’s customers broadly range
established in 2011. Importantly, the
company generates and supplies economic development. between three categories, which the
power in rural India, by electrifying
with solar power plants, those villages Meanwhile, with the excess power company calls the ‘A, B and C’ categories:
where the grid has either not reached
or has negligible reach. generated from these plants, OMC A - Anchor: telecom towers are its

OMC’s first plant was set up in reaches local communiƟes who do not anchor customers and ensure a
2012 at Jangaon in Hardoi district,
UƩar Pradesh. Today, OMC is a have access to grid power. In these sustainable business model;
69-plant company with installed
capacity of around 2.5 MW. Meanwhile, villages, the company either connects B - Businesses: OMC provides power
as a maƩer of pride, the Rockefeller
FoundaƟon has idenƟfied OMC as a households directly to their plants or to small and medium businesses
partner under its ‘Smart Power for
Rural Development Program’ and hires a local village level entrepreneur in villages to enhance their
has extended a concessional debt of
$4.5 million. The company is unique (VLE) — oŌen unemployed villagers or economic acƟvity;
because it has been able to use rural
telecom towers as anchor clients. those with extra Ɵme for a side business. C - Consumers: The company provides
Under this, telecom companies will
sign a contract with OMC to provide These VLEs will charge and rent out lighƟng to households through
their mobile towers with electricity for
a certain period of Ɵme, at a various consumer products like packaged power and mini-grids. ST
predetermined price.
lanterns, fans and TVs and provide
“At present, we have long-term
power purchase agreements with four baƩery charging for mobiles and
leading telecom companies for 100
plant locaƟons,” says Sushill Jiwarajka, electric vehicles. Given large contracts
ExecuƟve Chairman, OMC Power. His
vision is clean and clear — to bring with anchor loads such as mobile
clean, reliable power at compeƟƟve
prices to power-hungry rural areas of towers, OMC has stable revenues
the country, thereby creaƟng an
that are likely to cover operaƟonal

costs of a plant. OMC has been

able to secure long-term contracts

with mobile tower companies, due

to a strong management team that

has significant experience in the

telecom sector. The revenue stream

from mobile towers is substanƟal and

can help them break even

faster than most

other DRE uƟliƟes.

The company has

thus been able to

prove investor

aƩracƟveness

and raise Sushill Jiwarajka
commercial

funding to

CORPORATE WATCH

Year of establishment: 2011 ACHIEVEMENTS

Areas of operations: Eight districts of Uttar • OMC has received the World Economic Forum Technology
Pradesh: Hardoi, Sitapur, Farookhabad, Pioneer Award; Bijli project – Off-grid Challenge Award;
Shahjahanpur, Unnao, Lakhimour, Kheri Economic Times Award for Operational Excellence – Tower
and Raebareli. development; Platts Global Energy Award (Rising Star Company)
and the Off-grid energy challenge by the Climate Group
Completed projects: Around 70 power plants,
with 2.3 MW of installed capacity and over • OMC has received a rating of SP2A (which signifies high
7,000 customers. performance capability and high financial strength)
from CRISIL.

37September-October 2016 SOLAR

feature data monitoring

Bird’s

Eye View

F ollowing the government’s Employing a
promoƟon of solar energy performance monitoring
through the Jawaharlal Nehru system is a must for
NaƟonal Solar Mission (JNNSM) in being able to account
2010, a significant amount of for the amount of
aƩenƟon has been given towards energy produced by a
installaƟon of solar energy projects in system in real time, and
the country. The move was seen as a to ensure that the
means to relieve many parts of India forecast conversion
that sƟll reel under frequent power efficiency will remain intact over its
cuts or zero grid connecƟon. service life.

However, this also means that most solar plant operator to not only These systems enable solar power
solar photovoltaic systems (SPV control, but also track and monitor the plant operators to streamline operaƟons
systems) have been installed in rural plant from a distance. Meanwhile, the and monitor the criƟcal acƟviƟes on a
or inaccessible areas, which have to growth of solar is leaving some conƟnuous basis. This is an essenƟal
be constantly monitored and technology companies in search of a evoluƟon as manual monitoring for a
evaluated for smooth, safe and form of wire-free monitoring for the large solar farm is almost impossible,
opƟmum operaƟon. The perfect growing numbers of solar plants. making the need for automated
soluƟon for this are remote monitoring soluƟons more necessary.
monitoring systems, that exchange the Today monitoring and performance
need for deployment of trained on-site analysis has become extremely criƟcal This is also Ɵme saving, as what
technicians with an automated device due to the increasing cost of operaƟon would take a person months to complete
that can discharge the same role over and maintenance as well as reducing (idenƟfying the root/origin in case of
Ethernet or cellular-based technologies. yield due to performance degradaƟon problems/collecƟng data regarding
during the life cycle of the plant the power generated etc.) can now be
Now, with new technologies equipment. This means that the use of done at a much speedier pace.
breaking into the solar market, easing a monitoring system can become
issues related to interference and essenƟal to ensure high performance, SoŌware-based solar systems
making installaƟon simpler, low downƟme and fault detecƟon of a provide module-level monitoring on a
monitoring systems make life much solar PV power plant during the enƟre conƟnuous basis. Some other roles
easier. Especially in the power life cycle. include detailed performance data,
industry, such systems allow for a conƟnuous comparison of actual
MONITORING SYSTEM system performance data against
As the name suggests, a monitoring expected performance data, remote
diagnosis and resoluƟon of issues
system conƟnuously reviews the criƟcal impacƟng system performance,
aspects of a product and reports on automaƟc emails and SMS of events
the progress of each component. It is affecƟng plant performance, and
an automated, soŌware version of a performance reports with 24/7
supervisor. Solar power plants, especially monitoring, with access backed up to
large solar farms, today have online data storage.
sophisƟcated monitoring systems.
Furthermore, the system monitors

38 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

the performance by means of a significant losses from the solar farm monitoring gives us a tool to make
sophisƟcated mathemaƟcal model and delivered $450,000 (almost half a sure we are not losing energy due to
iniƟalised once at installaƟon Ɵme million dollars) extra, year aŌer year. fault in the system or modules. This
with plant design data: PV panels’ The monitoring system for a 10 MW implies that data monitoring in a way
peak power, inverters, manufacturer- power plant typically costs less than enables us to meet the minimum
provided electric parameters, number $450,000. That is the return on generaƟon required to be fed to grid.
of strings, string length, etc. investment involved. If that is not done, we will have to pay
COST EXPENSE liquidated damages for less generaƟon.
The model is then conƟnuously fed So the savings can be significant.”
with local weather data and calculates It is difficult to put a precise
in real Ɵme what would be the correct number for the price, owing to the When it comes to costs associated
energy producƟon at 100 per cent of with O&M, that is dependent on who
variety of monitoring systems conducts the repairs — whether it is
plant capacity. The automaƟc available in the market. However, they being remotely solved by the
comparison between the calculated cost a very small percentage of the monitoring system itself or the
and the real producƟon figures total power plant cost — typically less problem needs a specialised
(supplied by the already menƟoned than 1 per cent of the total cost. technician on site. For example, if the
data logger) will give a precise Explaining further, Kuldeep Jain, solar panels’ output is much lower
indicaƟon of the plant performance or Managing Director, CleanMax Solar than expected on a parƟcular
plant health every minute or less. adds, “It’s hard to put monetary value day and this needs to be conveyed to
to the savings achieved as the data the inverter manufacturer, the
According to Solar Mango, for monitoring will not increase the communicaƟon to the inverter maker
example, a 10 MW power plant generaƟon by itself, and needs to be could be carried out without any
without monitoring systems, owing to closely integrated into the O&M human intervenƟon. However, if a
poor maintenance resulƟng from operaƟon of the plant operator to be physical problem has been detected in
absence of monitoring, could have most effecƟve.” a panel and it has to be replaced,
significant losses, and generate only human intervenƟon is usually required
1.2 million units a year, equivalent of CommenƟng on the return on to get it recƟfied. In this case, while
about $1.8 million in revenues. investment aspect, in terms of savings the soŌware will automaƟcally noƟfy
AlternaƟvely, with an automated generated, Abhay Raina, Head Solar, the project manager about the panel
monitoring system in place, the same Hero Future Energies states, malfuncƟon, the actual replacement
plant would be able to yield the “Generally, data monitoring is part of of the panel needs to be implemented
expected 1.5 million units per year, the BOS scope so the percentage that as a manual acƟon by the project
yielding $2.25 million a year. That is, is allocated can’t be measured. Data manager or his colleagues.
the solar monitoring system has saved
Observes Jain, “Several established
internaƟonal players have already
automated the process of report
generaƟon, eliminaƟng the need for
addiƟonal manpower for creaƟng
these monthly reports. While labour
costs are much lower in India than in
some markets, an effecƟve data-
monitoring system will also tend to
improve the quality and reliability of
data collecƟon and reporƟng.”

While its value may vary
significantly from site to site,
depending on the O&M needs of
individual sites, as the industry
matures, emphasis will gradually shiŌ
from growth to effecƟve management
of assets, and effecƟve data monitoring
will be indispensable for this.

However, there seems to be
criƟcism that data management does
not help manage all aspects and is too
expensive. To which Jain explains,

39September-October 2016 SOLAR

feature data monitoring

“Developing a value-adding data- making it more effecƟve. Monitoring to the investor is one of the funcƟons
monitoring system requires an upfront systems provide the means to of the monitoring systems. The
investment of Ɵme and effort. When take swiŌ acƟon in case of installer can also use the generaƟon
looked at for an individual project, it breakdown as well as carry out data from these plants to provide
will not be worthwhile in terms of cost prevenƟve maintenance which can key insights into the performance
or effort.” reduce downƟmes. of plants and thus beƩer its own

A well designed monitoring portal can help streamline the O&M process.

“However, it becomes a criƟcal tool “For companies which own a large engineering process and opƟmise its
for solar developers to manage scale, fleet of solar plants, monitoring each O&M resources.
parƟcularly for rooŌop developers, individual plant on a daily basis can be
who need to monitor hundreds or tedious and inefficient. A monitoring States Jain, “Real-Ɵme generaƟon
thousands of projects. So for system capable of performing and performance data can help plant
developers looking to be major players advanced analyƟcs can greatly help operators to take swiŌ acƟon in case
in the solar industry going forward, it automate this process,” explains Jain. the performance of the plant dips
would be short-sighted to ignore the below expectaƟon. It can also help to
need to develop an effecƟve data- Raina adds, “Since it gives opƟmise plant cleaning and other
monitoring system relaƟvely early,” informaƟon about system O&M acƟviƟes.”
he adds. performance — parƟcularly the
modules — and provides an upfront Taking the Indian scenario in
INDIA BENEFIT chance to recƟfy the problem, in a context of the global market, the
Firstly, data monitoring is way it helps in responding quickly to soluƟons offered here seem to be par
the issue. It provides generaƟon for the course. Points out Raina,
mandatory for all plants, and secondly, paƩerns and enables a developer to “We are at par with the internaƟonal
it gives us details of the plant take correcƟve O&M measures to soluƟon offerings. India is a technology
performance and enables us to take ensure generaƟon at the opƟmal centre and we have great innovaƟve
correcƟve acƟon well before level. In a way, it helps in maintaining offerings which can be further
breakdowns can occur. the minimum capacity uƟlisaƟon customised as per our requirements.”
factor required.”
To maximise financial returns Besides, internaƟonal players have
from solar assets, data-monitoring With data monitoring you can not also forayed into the country, adds
systems are an important lever. only generate monthly reports; but Jain, staƟng, “Certain internaƟonal
A well-designed online monitoring also see your plant performance on a data-monitoring companies have
portal/soŌware can help in real-Ɵme basis. Besides this, providing already started providing an open
streamlining the O&M process, independent data for monitoring API which can be seamlessly
integrated with an exisƟng ERP

40 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

system. This provides an edge to smart-phone apps, and more. and equipment best suits their
these players over most domesƟc Moreover, the solar industry today has specific locaƟons. This directly gives
players which are sƟll in their nascent monitoring system offerings from both tremendous input to the investment,
phase of development.” pure-play monitoring system makers execuƟon, markeƟng, and business
(whose only focus is to make high teams to make sure they are
Progressively, usage of big data quality monitoring soŌware and planning on the basis of valid and
technology in solar will become related hardware), and from inverter substanƟated data.
parƟcularly important as the solar makers who typically bundle the
plants grow older and there is higher monitoring system with the inverter. Points out Jain, “OpƟons from
performance degradaƟon and Which of the two sources is chosen Indian vendors have been limited, and
breakdowns. AutomaƟon of processes — pure-play monitoring system we were not fully saƟsfied with those
using technology will be the key for vendor or inverter manufacturer available. Thus, we turned to a leading
companies operaƟng and maintaining — depends on the specific global player which was beƩer able to
a large fleet of solar plants. requirements and constraints of the meet our needs. Some customisaƟon
specific solar power plant owner. was required, fundamentally the
The industry in India, as a whole, is requirement was not so different from
already puƫng into place methods to A good back-end monitoring system what our vendor was already providing.”
understand the nature of various

These are the components involved in monitoring systems.

installaƟons by installing SCADA and can become a key differenƟaƟng factor However, various domesƟc players
monitoring systems. The data collected within the compeƟƟve solar space. such as Mahindra Susten and Data
over many years will be useful in Various monitoring portal providers Glen have started creaƟng a robust
understanding the real picture, and have the opƟon of creaƟng monitoring system to cater to the
then, beƩer and efficient plants can dashboards which can be shown on a various solar companies in India.
be set up with real-Ɵme local data to screen at the plant site for markeƟng However, a large number of the top
support the same. “As of now, everyone purposes. Advanced analyƟcal tools global solar monitoring providers like
is doing it on an individual basis, but can help provide key insight into the GreenPowerMonitor, Locus, 3E and
the government is also gathering performance of various plants, thus QOS Energy, among others, have
informaƟon about the plants, as they helping in opƟmising the plant design. already or are aƩempƟng to enter the
are all connected with the local SLDC’s In some cases, the installer can even booming Indian solar space.
and also many observatories have charge the investor/off-taker a
been put in place,” feels Raina. premium for providing access to the “Given that these internaƟonal
monitoring soŌware. This would, players have been working on the
CONCLUSION however, be dependent upon the monitoring system for a longer period
In addiƟon to providing updates agreement terms with the monitoring of Ɵme catering to clients in North
system developer. America, Europe, Asia etc., the domesƟc
through web interfaces, monitoring players have a fair bit of ground to
systems today can send you updates The purpose of data monitoring is catch up to be at par, both in terms of
and alerts to any kind of device — to enable the developer to understand quality and price,” feels Jain.
SMS to mobile phone, email to not only the efficiency of their plants
devices, noƟficaƟons through but also understand what technology - JOCELYN FERNANDES

41September-October 2016 SOLAR

feature data monitoring interview

Savings under data monitoring

can be significant

Data monitoring enables developers to understand not only the efficiency of their
plants, but also what technology and equipment best suits their specific locations, says
Abhay Raina, Head - Solar, Hero Future Energies.

W hat are the benefits of take correcƟve acƟon well before a How are we on this front when
undertaking monitoring breakdown can occur. That means compared to global soluƟon offerings?
for projects in India? since it gives informaƟon about
Data monitoring system performance, parƟcularly the We are at par with the
firstly is mandatory for all the plants, modules, and provides an upfront internaƟonal soluƟon offerings. India
and secondly, it gives us details of the chance to recƟfy the problem, in a is a technology centre and we have
plant performance and enables us to way it helps in responding quickly to great innovaƟve offerings which can
the issue. It provides generaƟon be further customised as per our
paƩerns and enables a developer to requirements.
take correcƟve O&M measures to
ensure generaƟon at the opƟmal Does the industry need to do a beƩer
level. In a way, data monitoring helps job in terms of solar ‘Big Data?’
in maintaining the minimum capacity
uƟlisaƟon factor required. With data The industry as a whole is already
monitoring, you can not only puƫng into place methods to
generate monthly reports; you can understand the nature of various
also see your plant performance on a installaƟons by puƫng in SCADA and
real-Ɵme basis. monitoring systems. The data
collected over many years will be
What is the investment companies useful in understanding the real
usually allocate towards this? picture, and then beƩer and efficient
Generally, data monitoring plants can be set up with real-Ɵme
is part of the Backup local data to support the same. As of
OperaƟng System (BOS) now, everyone is doing it on an
scope so the percentage that individual basis, but the government
is allocated can’t be is also gathering informaƟon about
measured. Data monitoring the plants, as they are all connected
gives us a tool to make with the local SLDC’s and also many
sure we are not losing observatories have been put in place.
energy due to a fault in
the system or modules, How could this serve as the basis for
etc. This implies that customer and partner engagement?
data monitoring in a
way enables us to The purpose of data monitoring is
meet the minimum to enable the developer to
generaƟon required to understand not only the efficiency of
be fed to the grid. If their plants, but also understand what
that is not done, we will technology and equipment best suits
have to pay liquidated their specific locaƟons. This directly
damages for less gives tremendous input to the
generaƟon. So the savings investment, execuƟon, markeƟng and
can be significant. business teams to make sure they are
planning on the basis of valid and
substanƟated data.

- JOCELYN FERNANDES

42 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

Industry emphasis

will shift from growth to

management
of assets

Monitoring systems provide the means to take swift action in
case of breakdown and also help in preventive maintenance,
says Kuldeep Jain, Managing Director, CleanMax Solar.

W hat are the benefits of gradually shiŌ from growth to can be seamlessly integrated with an
undertaking data effecƟve management of assets, and exisƟng ERP system. This provides an
monitoring for solar effecƟve data monitoring will be edge to these players over most
projects in India? indispensable for this. domesƟc players which are sƟll in
To maximise financial returns from their nascent phase of development.
solar assets, data monitoring systems Is installaƟon driven by investor
are an important lever. A well desire to have an independent How can we measure the decrease in
designed online monitoring portal/ data stream? cost of labour here?
soŌware can help streamline the
O&M process, making it more Providing independent data for Several established internaƟonal
effecƟve. Monitoring systems provide monitoring to the investor is one of players have already automated the
the means to take swiŌ acƟon in case the funcƟons of the monitoring process of report generaƟon,
of breakdown as well as carry out systems, among others. The installer eliminaƟng the need for addiƟonal
prevenƟve maintenance which can can also use the generaƟon data from manpower for creaƟng these monthly
reduce downƟme. For companies these plants to provide key insights reports. While labour costs are much
which own a large fleet of solar into the performance of its plants and lower in India than in some markets,
plants, monitoring each individual thus beƩer its own engineering an effecƟve data monitoring system
plant on a daily basis can be tedious process and opƟmise its O&M will also tend to improve the quality
and inefficient. A monitoring system resources. and reliability of data collecƟon
capable of performing advanced and reporƟng.
analyƟcs can greatly help automate In what way does this help
this process. businesses respond to changes Does the industry need to do a beƩer
and problems?
What are the savings generated from job in terms of solar ‘Big Data?’
investment in data monitoring? As menƟoned earlier, real-Ɵme
generaƟon and performance data can Usage of Big Data technology in
It’s hard to put a monetary value help plant operators to take swiŌ
to the savings achieved, as data acƟon in case the performance of the solar will become parƟcularly
monitoring will not increase the plant dips below expectaƟon. It can
generaƟon by itself, and needs to be also help to opƟmise plant cleaning important as the solar plants grow
closely integrated into the O&M and other O&M acƟviƟes.
operaƟon of the plant operator to be older and there is higher performance
most effecƟve. Its value may also vary How are we on this front
significantly from site to site, when compared to global degradaƟon and breakdowns.
depending on the O&M needs of soluƟon offerings?
individual sites. However, as the AutomaƟon of processes using
industry matures, emphasis will Certain internaƟonal data
monitoring companies have already technology will be the key for
started providing an open API which
companies operaƟng and maintaining

a large fleet of solar plants. ST

(For full interview, log on to
www.SolarToday.co.in)

- JOCELYN FERNANDES

43September-October 2016 SOLAR

event report REI Expo 2016 www.SolarToday.co.in

Industry lauds UBM India’s

REI Exp 2016

With 600 exhibitors, 26,000 visitors, 40 countries and 10 country pavilions,
the expo in which SOLAR TODAY was the media partner, witnessed an increase of

13 per cent in footfalls over the previous year.

UBM India, India’s leading QUICK FACTS
exhibiƟons organiser,
successfully concluded the • Over 600 exhibitors, more than 26,000 visitors, 40 countries and 10
10th ediƟon of its flagship country pavilions;
event, Renewable Energy India (REI)
Expo, which was held from 7-9th • Three-day industry conference on Renewables;
September 2016 at the India Expo • An exclusive session on the International Solar Alliance;
Center & Mart, Greater Noida. • Crucial industry dialogues in the form of a CEO Conclave;
• Growth of 13 per cent in footfalls.
The event was supported by the
Ministry of New and Renewable Embassy of Poland in India, amidst an government and investors.”
Energy (MNRE), Indian Renewable august industry gathering. By conducƟng this expo, REI ably
Energy Development Agency Ltd
(IREDA), Solar Energy CorporaƟon of The show brought together supported the GoI’s endeavours for a
India Limited (SECI), NaƟonal InsƟtute internaƟonally renowned exhibitors, quantum growth in the renewable
of Wind Energy (NIWE) and had an consultants, business experts and key energy sector by serving as an
internaƟonal collaboraƟon with the government officials under one industry catalyst, bringing in the
Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) and common plaƞorm, to discuss global internaƟonal fraternity, including
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). best pracƟces and seek soluƟons to investors and technological experts, to
some of the most pressing challenges India. The show also enabled the
The expo was cerƟfied by UFI, the in the power and energy sector. fruiƟon of potenƟal projects and
global associaƟon of the ExhibiƟons seƫng up of manufacturing units
Industry, and saw the presence of key REI, which is in its 10th anniversary, under the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
dignitaries: Upendra Tripathi, saw over 600 exhibiƟng companies It witnessed an impressive turnout of
Secretary, MNRE; JusƟn Wu, Head of and parƟcipaƟon from countries such visitors and is clearly Asia’s largest
APAC, Bloomberg New Energy as India, Japan, Switzerland, USA, industry event in the renewable
Finance, Hong Kong; James Gordon Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia, Italy, energy sector. It duly concluded
Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, Canada, Malaysia, the Netherlands, amidst industry plaudits from both
Government of Canada; Hans-Josef Israel, Germany, Spain, Singapore internaƟonal parƟcipants as well as
Fell, President of the Energy Watch and Belgium. Central and state Governments.
Group (EWG) and former Member of
German Parliament; Munehiko Yogesh Mudras, Managing (For full report, log on to
Tsuchiya, ExecuƟve Director, NEDO, Director, UBM India Pvt. Ltd, said, www.SolarToday.co.in)
Japan; Ambassador Tomasz Łukaszuk, “With REI Expo 2016, UBM India
bridged the gap between the industry,

44 SOLAR September-October 2016

interview REI Expo 2016 www.SolarToday.co.in

R&D sharpens the competitive

edge of an organisation

Anurag Garg, Vice President, Solar Business, Schneider Electric
talks about the company’s new innovations, especially the 1,500-volt
inverter which is likely to be a game-changer for India’s solar growth
story. Edited excerpts:

Since Schneider is a leader in where we have incorporated a cannot say how cost effecƟve our
inverter technology, what are cloud-connected feature. It means product would be. However, the
your product offerings for the that inverter data from different whole idea, as an equipment supplier,
solar sector? locaƟons can be transported on the is to make the enƟre system cost
For the first Ɵme in India, we are cloud and it will actually analyse effecƟve for the developer. Today, no
introducing the 1,500 volt inverter, the ageing part of the product in developer would accept a technology
which is likely to be a game-changer, terms of performance. This will avoid with a higher cost. The whole idea
considering the next wave of physical inspecƟon of the inverters, behind this innovaƟon is to see how
technology in solar is going to be the which is a costly affair, considering we can reduce the overall project cost,
one we have launched. In fact, we will remote locaƟons. along with operaƟonal cost. So it’s a
be the first one to manufacture and blend of both.
launch this product in India. When we How equipped are you to
talk about manufacturing in India, we manufacture this product in India? What is your contribuƟon to R&D
talk about not only catering to the and what iniƟaƟves can boost R&D
Indian market, but targeƟng the First of all, a product with such in this area?
export markets as well. capacity has never been done in
India. Hence, we are preparing to Our R&D in products, soŌware,
So our strategy is very much enhance our capacity so as to take services and producƟon process
aligned with the ‘Make in India’ plan care of manufacturing the 1,500 volt involves 6,500 people in 25 countries.
of the government. The other good inverter. The facility is likely to be in Besides having design centres in
part of this product is that it is a commercial producƟon by 2017. developed countries, we have CriƟcal
2 MW outdoor 1,500-volt inverter, And it’s just not about manufacturing. Mass Centres at Monterrey (Mexico),
which is completely sealed and has To incorporate this technology, Shanghai (China) and Bengaluru
been designed for a lifespan of other elements such as modules, (India). R&D sharpens the compeƟƟve
30 years, considering the return on cables, combiner boxes, etc., have edge of an organisaƟon, as it puts
investment for a solar power developer. to be compaƟble. a check and enhances quality.
Therefore, a large part of our
The whole objecƟve of launching That’s why I said it will be a sales earnings are invested in
and bringing this product is to see game-changer in terms of the inbuilt R&D every year.
how it enables our customers to make intelligent system which we have
their business more profitable, developed and the power density in Most innovaƟons are aimed
improve their return on investments the inverter. When I menƟon power towards opƟmising easy
and also reduce the levelised cost density, it means the 2 MW outdoor implementaƟon and operaƟon, safety,
of energy. inverter has been fit in the size of the flexibility and enabling products and
exisƟng 1 MW inverter. services to evolve. This effort has
Levelised cost of energy takes into gained opƟmum momentum with our
account the operaƟng cost as well. So How cost effecƟve is your product? choosing Bengaluru, the IT hub of
a lot of focus has gone into this Will it increase the cost of a project? India, as one of the premier centres
product in terms of how it can reduce for global R&D.
the operaƟng expenses of the Cost effecƟveness is perceived
developers for their plant. That is from the developer perspecƟve. I - RAHUL KAMAT

45September-October 2016 SOLAR

interview REI Expo 2016

To dethrone imports,

India must adopt strong
manufacturing

capability

Ivan Saha, President and CTO, players, that will be helpful
Vikram Solar, explains why India for the Indian IPPs.
must improve its manufacturing While it helps developers
preparedness against direct achieve numbers that they have
competition from foreign invaders. signed up for as far as power
purchase agreements are concerned,
What are your thoughts happening in in the long run, this kind of dumping
on the impact of the India, in a sense will deteriorate India’s solar
non-existent that the imported environment on quality standards.
regulatory policies panels are low So, when quality suffers, the project
on imports of solar panels priced, below the cost too suffers. Hence, in a nutshell, by
in India? of what Chinese bringing low cost and substandard
manufacturers offer. Since quality products to the Indian market,
The lack of regulaƟons India’s solar story looks to be developers may gain short-term
has had two impacts. a big opportunity for almost achievement, but lose out in the long
The first is commercial every country in the world, term. This may not work.
and the second one global players want to expand
is quality. their presence here. This is mainly So there should be more domesƟc
because the market that includes manufacturing and less of imports?
In regards to China is on the verge of decline.
the commercial At least Ɵll the second half of this What I mean is there should be
aspect, a good year, the country can expect a level playing field for Indian
amount of compeƟƟon on the pricing front on manufacturers. I believe, out of
dumping is the products offered by foreign 5-6 GW of domesƟc manufacturing,
all are not compeƟƟve enough in
terms of quality and price. The focus
should be more on quality and global
compeƟƟveness. Given the cost
structure of solar projects in India,
unless a manufacturer is globally
compeƟƟve, it cannot survive.

Here, by saying this, I am not
favouring or giving preference to
domesƟc manufacturers, but
encouraging all such manufacturers
to work on quality and price

46 SOLAR September-October 2016

interview REI Expo 2016

To dethrone imports,

India must adopt strong
manufacturing

capability

Ivan Saha, President and CTO, players, that will be helpful
Vikram Solar, explains why India for the Indian IPPs.
must improve its manufacturing While it helps developers
preparedness against direct achieve numbers that they have
competition from foreign invaders. signed up for as far as power
purchase agreements are concerned,
What are your thoughts happening in in the long run, this kind of dumping
on the impact of the India, in a sense will deteriorate India’s solar
non-existent that the imported environment on quality standards.
regulatory policies panels are low So, when quality suffers, the project
on imports of solar panels priced, below the cost too suffers. Hence, in a nutshell, by
in India? of what Chinese bringing low cost and substandard
manufacturers offer. Since quality products to the Indian market,
The lack of regulaƟons India’s solar story looks to be developers may gain short-term
has had two impacts. a big opportunity for almost achievement, but lose out in the long
The first is commercial every country in the world, term. This may not work.
and the second one global players want to expand
is quality. their presence here. This is mainly So there should be more domesƟc
because the market that includes manufacturing and less of imports?
In regards to China is on the verge of decline.
the commercial At least Ɵll the second half of this What I mean is there should be
aspect, a good year, the country can expect a level playing field for Indian
amount of compeƟƟon on the pricing front on manufacturers. I believe, out of
dumping is the products offered by foreign 5-6 GW of domesƟc manufacturing,
all are not compeƟƟve enough in
terms of quality and price. The focus
should be more on quality and global
compeƟƟveness. Given the cost
structure of solar projects in India,
unless a manufacturer is globally
compeƟƟve, it cannot survive.

Here, by saying this, I am not
favouring or giving preference to
domesƟc manufacturers, but
encouraging all such manufacturers
to work on quality and price

46 SOLAR September-October 2016

www.SolarToday.co.in

Manufacturing should focus on quality and competitiveness. enables developers to make maximum
uƟlisaƟon of available land by
compeƟƟveness, so that they can and quality. If developers have generaƟng more electricity even
compete on a level playing grounds confidence in the availability of from a shredded-down DC capacity.
with large Chinese players. modules in India, they will certainly Our new product ‘HELITRAC’
avoid imporƟng Chinese modules. increases performance and PV
Would you thus say the government The ecosystem will be self-sufficient efficiencies, offering various ‘industry-
has not given this level playing field and will drive the manufacturing first’ features and lowest LCOE. The
to domesƟc manufacturers? sector in India. product has been introduced with a
clear aim to cater to the ever-growing
No. I wouldn’t say that the Today developers are forced to opt energy needs in a cost-effecƟve way,
government is solely responsible. for imports because Indian and to serve the energy revoluƟon.
There are new markets that have manufacturers do not have equivalent
been created for domesƟc amount of capacity as compared to HELITRAC is bestowed with various
consumpƟon, and were supported their foreign counterparts. However, features that not only make it a
by the government. In the Indian with addiƟon of another 2 GW of unique product, but are also
solar sector, there are addiƟons manufacturing capacity by major advantageous for end consumers.
of more than 2 GW of domesƟc- players in 2016-17, the capacity ExhibiƟng intelligent features like
only projects, which was not constraint will be removed. The arƟculated joints and slew drives, it
the case earlier. This suggests the developers require a big chunk of allows massive field adaptaƟon,
government has really been focused volumes to be delivered on Ɵme reducing land preparaƟon cost. It also
on providing opportuniƟes to and that is why they opt for imports, has a dust avoidance mode and rain
domesƟc manufacturers. in which scenario geƫng 50 MW or mode that minimises soiling losses
100 MW shipped out in a month is and enables self-cleaning of module
Now, solar is always a market- not a big deal for them. during dust and rain respecƟvely.
driven sector. If according to trends, With back tracking as another
the bidding prices are dropping, and Players like Vikram Solar are adding significant feature, the tracker helps
foreign module prices are decreasing significant amount of capaciƟes in shadow avoidance between
as well, then developers have to look (1 GW by FY2017). Once these modules or rows during
for alternaƟves if they do not find the capaciƟes are streamlined, there low sun angles.
right price in the Indian market. It will be the right opportunity and
means the product offered by environment for Indian developers to With the benefits of fast
domesƟc players on the pricing front look at Indian manufacturers. installaƟon and ease of transport, the
is on the higher side, compared to product is slated to hit the market
foreign players. Here, I would suggest You have launched a solar tracker early in Q1 of 2017-18. Our
that the mindset of Indian solar system. Give us some details on revoluƟonary sun tracker will not only
developers has to change. They must the same… increase a solar PV plant’s energy
not back substandard products which generaƟon, but will also minimise
are necessarily priced low. In large scale MW projects, the plant’s capital cost through its
uƟlisaƟon of sun tracking systems is unique features.
The way is to drive compeƟƟveness becoming increasingly prevalent as it
The angle of rotaƟon varies from
-60° to +60° (east-west direcƟon), but
for tropical countries like India, a
single axis movement of -45° to +45°
(east-west direcƟon) is enough for
extracƟng the maximum gain. The
tracking happens as per the
astronomical algorithm encrypted in
the controller, defining the relaƟve
path of the sun round the year, even
considering all seasonal variaƟons.
This process of following the
trajectory of the sun provides an
electricity generaƟon gain of around
18 per cent to 25 per cent, depending
on its locaƟon.

- RAHUL KAMAT

47September-October 2016 SOLAR

interview REI Expo 2016

Slow and steady wins

the race, and that’s our

approach in India

For Rohit Kumar, Head of Indian Subcontinent, REC, the Indian
solar market is like the goose that laid the golden egg. Hence,
the strategy is clear: appoint minimum partners, combat
competition and gain maximum revenue.

W hat does REC bring to India as far as the solar sector is concerned?
We have been in India for the last five years, purely providing
modules along with technical support to our customers. At present, we
don’t have any manufacturing unit in the country, which bring us to
focus us on sales-based module providers. Importantly, we offer the same product

to our global clientele in regions that include the US, Europe and Japan, clearing
your earlier doubt about any discriminaƟon. The quality is also similar to what we
offer to our global clients.

Since many players have this tendency to offer different products (quality and
price-wise) to India and different modules to global projects, considering
internaƟonal norms, we are proud to say that REC has avoided such pracƟces. This
is despite India being a price-sensiƟve market. We have been able to address this
concern because of our product-based approach. We are designing and developing

the product beyond IEC standards, which has helped us in bringing
lowest warranty claim rates. In fact, our warranty claims are
lowest in the world. Our main target is to have 100 parts per
million warranty rate and not more than that. We have
been maintaining this rate for the last three years.
What’s more, with the installaƟon of REC modules, a
project developer gets the highest and (most) reliable
performance. In addiƟon, our modules indirectly
help the solar independent power producers to
become a financially stable company. So from a
financial insƟtuƟon perspecƟve, when we are
financing a project with REC modules, a
project developer does not have to worry
about things like third-party insurance and
long-term security. In a nutshell, REC as a
company offers the best performance,
highest reliability, financial stability,
and collaboraƟon. This is considering
the key segments we are targeƟng, such
as medium-size uƟliƟes and rooŌop
mounted modules.
As far as strategy is concerned, we
have a very systemaƟc, slow and steady
approach. We are not in a rush to increase

48 SOLAR SJuelpyt-eAmugbuesrt-O2c0t1o6ber 2016