EQ Magazine May 2021 Edition

VOLUME- 13 | ISSUE- MAY 2021 | PAGE- 01 | R.N.I. NO. MPBIL/2013/50966

550Wp #1 PV Module Supplier in India

KSTAR, Founded in 1993,Shenzhen KSTAR Science and Technology Co., Ltd. is a leading brand in power electronics and new energy products, including data center critical infrastructure (UPS, battery, precision distribution),modular data center solutions, PV and ESS solutions. According to the IHS Markit latest report, Kstar ranked six in the global UPS（Uninterruptible Power Supply) market and ranked top ten in the inverter market.

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Projects

Goa Institute Of Management (GIM) Has Installed A 675 KW Solar Power Plant The total capacity of these projects, in addition to the two projects of Sakaka plant and Doumat Al Jandal wind energy project, is 3,670 MW, energy minister Abdulaziz bin Salman said to READ MORE...scan

Taking advantage of the Govt of Goa’s facility for net metering that facilitates the storage of surplus solar energy generated in the grid, the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) has installed a 675 kW solar power plant (90% of its registered Max Demand) at its Sanquelim campus in Poriem, Sattari Taluka. to READ MORE...scan

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Saudi inaugurates first renewable energy power plant

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PROJECTS Torrent Power signs PPA for 300 MW solar power project in Gujarat The Renewables arm of Larsen & Toubro’s Power Transmission & Distribution Business has bagged an order to set up Sudair solar power project of 1.5 GW in Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia. to READ MORE...scan

CIL signs first ever power purchase pact with GUVNL for sale of 100 mw solar power State-owned CIL said it has entered into its first ever power purchase pact with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) for sale of 100 mw solar power. to READ MORE...scan

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Telangana: Singareni to produce 300 MW solar power by October this year SCCl Chairman and Managing Director N. Sridhar instructed the concerned department officials that the targets for completion of solar power plants of 3 phases at nine locations must be completed by October and 300 megawatts solar power must be synchronized with the grid, Singareni said in a release here.

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BRIEF-Adani Green Energy Unit Commissions 50 MW Solar Power Plant In Uttar Pradesh UNIT COMMISSIONS 50 MW SOLAR POWER PLANT IN CHITRAKOOT, UTTAR PRADESH to READ MORE...scan

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L&T’s arm bags order to set up solar power project in Saudi Arabia

The Renewables arm of Larsen & Toubro’s Power Transmission & Distribution Business has bagged an order to set up Sudair solar power project of 1.5 GW in Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia. to READ MORE...scan

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The turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) order has been received from the consortium of Masdar, EDF Renewables and Nesma Company. Awarded by Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) to the consortium under design, finance, build and operate mode, the project has now attained financial closure after the signing of a power purchase agreement. to READ MORE...scan

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L&T begins constructing 300 MW solar plant in Saudi Arabia

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Climate Change Wipro aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040

SKODA AUTO Volkswagen India aims to make the manufacturing carbon neutral by 2025

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IT major Wipro said it aims to achieve Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 in line with the objective of the Paris Agreement to cap temperature rise to 1.5 C.

In India, SAVWIPL aims to make the manufacturing carbon neutral by 2025 while its parent – the Volkswagen Group targets net zero by 2030.

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TECHNOLOGY Meyer Burger sets new inThe Center for High Efficiency dustry standards and unveils Solar Cells – Fraunhofer ISE its high-performance solar Inaugurates New Lab Buildmodules at digital product ing premiere Fraunhofer ISE has been developing photovoltaic technoloIndustry-leading solar modules based on patented Swiss technology produced in Germany with additional energy yield of up to 20 percent compared to standard products. to READ MORE...scan

gies, since it was founded forty years ago. Over this period, the institute’s research has contributed significantly to the establishment of solar electricity today as the most costeffective form of energy supply worldwide. to READ MORE...scan

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Growatt wins TÜV Rheinland’s All Quality Matters Award for its ARK battery Growatt’s ARK battery achieves outstanding performance in TÜV Rheinland’s PVE Test Program and wins All Quality Matters Award at Solar Congress 2021. The Award recognizes Growatt’s first-rate battery energy storage solution for residential use. to READ MORE...scan

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Electric Vehicles Will be Cheaper Than Combustion by 2027: Study Electric cars will be cheaper to build than fossil fuel vehicles across Europe within six years and could represent 100 percent of new sales by 2035, according to a study published to READ MORE...scan

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Business & Finance

IFC proposes $50mn debt finance for Thar Surya solar power project International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to debt finance the construction of Thar Surya 1 Pvt Ltd’s 300 MW solar power project in Bikaner, Rajasthan by $50 million. to READ MORE...scan

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Cell prices rose marginally amid continued upward price trends in mid and upstream segments This week, polysilicon prices rose again as supply remained short. Large orders between major manufacturers were signed at RMB 135-140/kg; sporadic ones were even signed at RMB 140-145/kg. In anticipation of severer polysilicon shortage in the second half of the year, the upward trend is expected to continue, and prices will increase marginally in the second half of this month. As polysilicon prices continue rising after reaching the peak amid mild end user demand, manufacturers in the mid and downstream segments are anxious about the polysilicon prices following the recovery of the market in Q3. to READ MORE...scan

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Facebook ties up with CleanMax to go 100% renewable in India Facebook and CleanMax announced a partnership to support renewable power from wind and solar facilities in India. to READ MORE...scan

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Photovoltaic Industry Price Trend: Polysilicon and Wafer Prices Rise Marginally while Cell Cost and Inventory Elevate Amidst Continuous Bargaining Polysilicon quotations continued to rise this week, with low price resources gradually diminished. With most mainstream polysilicon businesses signing the long-term orders for April earlier this month, there was no mass amount of spots available for transactions this week, and mainstream market quotations had been slightly upward adjusted, followed by a gradually diminishing level of low price resources and a marginal increase in the basic price. Sporadic orders were concluded at roughly RMB 135/kg, and the average price of multi polysilicon remained at the same level as last week at RMB 74/kg. The continuous ascension in the domestic prices of mono and multi polysilicon has prompted the global average price of polysilicon to US$16.416/kg. to READ MORE...scan

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HYDROGEN Dutch earmark $400 mln for green hydrogen development The money, part of a 20 billion euro fund the government announced last year to strengthen the Dutch economy, will finance projects aimed at stimulating the production of green hydrogen, and finding ways to use the fuel in industry. Green hydrogen is extracted from water via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, theoretically releasing no carbon emissions either in its production or consumption. The Netherlands aims to invest up to 338 million euros ($401 million) in green hydrogen projects as part of its push to meet climate goals, the Dutch government said to READ MORE...scan

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Business & Finance

Green certificates trading shrinks to 920,000, 6 mn inventory piles up

The renewable energy certificates market shrank to 9.2 lakh RECs in 2020-21 while 60.58 lakh RECs piled up till March-end due to a halt in trading, which also impacted the ability of distribution companies to meet their renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

Copper hits over 10year high on supply woes, demand revival hopes Copper prices hit a 10-year high over supply worries in top producer Chile and as investors hope for an improvement in global demand amid a stable economic recovery and green investments. to READ MORE...scan

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JinkoSolar Updates Value-based Strategy Combining Principles, Social Responsibility and Profitability JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, announced that it has officially updated its new value-based strategy to redefine the incorporation of principles, social responsibility and profitability.

Petition of Azure Power Thirty Four for GST Compensation Dismissed by Maharashtra Commission to READ MORE...scan

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Tenders Supply of Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems for 25 years on Discount over Retail Tariff basis on Net metering or Gross metering (as per KERC Regulations) at multiple locations Solar Roof Top: Design, Finance, Supply, Installation, Test and Commissioning, Operate and Maintain Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems for 25 years on Discount over Retail Tariff basis on Net metering or Gross metering (as per KERC Regulations) at multiple locations – Govt Buildings, Buildings owned by HDMC and govt undertaking buildings (Approximately 350 Kwp) call 07.

NTPC Issues Tender For Solar PV Projects Upto 1200 MW In Rajasthan to READ MORE...scan

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Supply 1200 kWp Solar Rooftop PV Projects at BCCL at 19 different locations Design, supply, storage, civil works, erection, testing, commissioning, ensuring net metering of total 1200 kWpGrid Connected Solar Rooftop PV Projects at BCCLat 19 different locations with OnM of the Project for 5 years. to READ MORE...scan

OREDA Floated Tender for 500 MW Solar Projects Under KUSUM Program in Odisha on BOO Basis to READ MORE...scan

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tenders Extension of Bid submission Deadline: Tender for 25 MW (AC) Solar PV Power Plant

Providing and Erecting Solar Power Pack Systems At Hingoli to READ MORE...scan

Extension of Bid submission Deadline: Tender for Design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning of 25 MW (AC) Solar PV Power Plant having 5 years Plant O&M at BCCL, Bhojudih Coal Washery, Purulia District, West Bengal, India.

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NTPC Floats Tender For 1 GW Solar PV Power Projects Anywhere in India

NIT for procurement of 1000 MW power on Medium term basis NIT for procurement of 1000 MW power on Medium term basis through Tariff Based competitive bidding process as per Ministry of Power Guidelines dated 30.1.2019. to READ MORE...scan

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NTPC Floats Tender For 1000 MW Solar PV Power Projects Anywhere in India. Selection of Solar Power Developers for Setting up 1000 MW ISTS – Connected Solar PV Power Projects Anywhere in India to READ MORE...scan

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REIL Floats NIT For Manufacturing of 3250 Nos. Solar PV Modules

“NOTICE INVITING TENDER FOR RATE CONTRACT FOR CONTRACT MANUFACTURING OF POLY CRYSTALLINE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES OF 305 Wp to 330 Wp.

SUPPLY OF THIN LAYER NANO COATING SOLUTION OVER THE SURFACE OF SOLAR PANELS AT BHEL Two-part e-Tender inviting techno-commercial and price bids for WORKS CONTRACT FOR SUPPLY, APPLICATION AND PROVE OUT OF THIN LAYER NANO COATING SOLUTION OVER THE SURFACE OF SOLAR PANELS AT BHEL-TRICHY. to READ MORE...scan

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Jharkhand Floats Tender For 25 MWp Rooftop Solar Power Projects in Premises of Residential Consumers of JBVNL

Design, Fabrication, Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning And Operation For 5 Years Total 1280 kW Connected Solar PV Power Plant Nagpur In The State Of Maharashtra.

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tenders Supply of Solar PV Systems At Various Households In Goa

CEL Floats Tender for Supply of 10,00,000 Multi-crystalline Solar Cells

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POLICY & REGULATIONS Approval of allowing 15% of price preference and 50% purchase preference for MSME’s in KSEBL In Domestic Sector, Kerala. to READ MORE...scan or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3gyU4wO

To declare that the action of the respondents in not paying the interest on the delayed payments To declare that the action of the respondents in not paying the interest on the delayed payments on the bills raised from the petitioner’s 6 MW capacity biomass power project to be arbitrary, illegal and contrary to Article 5.2 of the PPA and consequently direct the respondents to pay Rs. 31,26,772/- interest on late payment.

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Monthly Summary for the cabinet for the month of March, 2021. to READ MORE...scan

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Put on hold privatisation of electricity distribution: AIPEF The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) urged the government to put on hold the privatisation of electricity distribution entities. “Government must put on hold the privatisation of electricity distribution and stop entrusting the electricity departments of union territories to private enterprises,” All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) said in a statement. to READ MORE...scan

Seeking extension of the application of the retail supply tariffs, cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge to READ MORE...scan

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Inviting Suggestions and Objections of the Public and all Stakeholders in respect of Petition No. 09 of 2021 on proposed One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme to READ MORE...scan

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Funding M&A Temasek and BlackRock commit $600 million to invest in firms working to reduce carbon emissions The partnership between Temasek and BlackRock — called Decarbonization Partners — will launch a series of latestage venture capital and early growth private equity investment funds.

They plan to commit a combined $600 million in initial capital to invest across the funds, which would also raise money from third-party investors.

The first fund has a target of raising $1 billion, and will include capital from both companies.

GE Power to acquire 50 per cent equity stake in NTPC GE Power Services GE Power India’s board approved the acquisition of 50 per cent stake in NTPC GE Power Services Pvt Ltd for Rs 7.2 crore.

“Board of directors of GE Power India Ltd in its meeting held on, 14 April, 2021 has approved acquisition of 50 per cent of the issued and paid-up share capital of NTPC GE Power Services Pvt Ltd (NGSL),” a BSE filing said. to READ MORE...scan

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JPMorgan embarks on $2.5-trillion climate, sustainability effort JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a goal to finance $2.5 trillion in initiatives that combat climate change and advance sustainable development over the next 10 years, while Citigroup Inc. said it would back $1 trillion of similar efforts by 2030. to READ MORE...scan

NHPC to form joint venture with JKSPDCL to set up 850-MW Ratle hydropower project in J&K State-owned hydropower giant NHPC will form a joint venture with JKSPDCL, ‘Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd’, to implement a 850-megawatt (MW) hydroelectric project in Chenab river basin. “A promoters agreement has been signed on April 13, 2021, between NHPC Ltd, Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDCL) and the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” according to a BSE filing. to READ MORE...scan

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India: Vector Green Energy seeks to raise $164m through green bond US-based Global Infrastructure Partners’ (GIP) Indian green energy platform, Vector Green Energy plans to raise Rs1237 crore through a green bond in the Indian capital market. to READ MORE...scan

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Morgan Stanley aims to support $750 bln in low-carbon investments by 2030 Morgan Stanley MS.N said it would seek to encourage an additional $750 billion worth of spending on low-carbon solutions by 2030 under a scheme which two years ago targeted $250 billion in investment. to READ MORE...scan

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policy & regulations PSERC (Renewable Purchase Obligation and its Compliance) 3rd Amendment, Regulations, 2021

In the matter of Petition for net metering for Roof Top Grid Connected Solar Plant under RESCO Model

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ORDER: The shortfall of non-solar RPO to the extent of 196.42 MWh is set off against the available surplus solar RECs to READ MORE...scan

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Corrigendum to the Tariff Order dated 23.03.2021 in respect of DNH Power Distribution Corporation Limited to READ MORE...scan

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KERC Substantially Allowed Petition of Coromandal Sugars to READ MORE...scan

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ORDER: MSPL had not complied with the Solar and Non-solar RPO for FY18, as mandated in the KERC to READ MORE...scan or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3vbtA8J

Petition seeking declaration and correct interpretation of the provisions of Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) dated 20th January, 2010 and Amended EPA dated 27th July, 2011. to READ MORE...scan

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MANUFACTURING

Singapore Dealer Prepares Vault for 15,000 Tons of Silver Inside a six-story high warehouse near Singapore’s Changi airport, a vast hangar-like space is waiting to be filled with a precious metal that usually plays second fiddle to its more lustrous sibling. to READ MORE...scan or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3axi7Zb

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INDIA

MIDDLE EAST Saudi Arabia signs agreements for seven new solar projects – SPA Saudi Arabia has signed power purchase agreements with seven new solar projects that will provide electricity more than 600,000 households, state news agency SPA quoted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying to READ MORE...scan

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EQ isearch

EDF successfully installs 100,000 smart meters in India, to launch commercial rollout of its 5-million smart meters contract Global low-carbon electricity leader EDF successfully installed 100,000 smart meters in India under its contract with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), an energy service company under administration of Ministry of Power, Government of India and the world’s largest public ESCO (Energy Services Company). to READ MORE...scan

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ENERGY STORAGE

Hydro-Quebec Unit to Deploy 20 MWh Battery Energy Storage System The system will be deployed in the municipality of Parent as part of the work being carried out on a transmission line and will supply the region’s residential and commercial customers for the entire duration of the work. EVLO Energy Storage Inc. announced that it will deploy a 4-MW / 20-MWh battery energy storage system on the Hydro-Québec grid based on the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology. to READ MORE...scan

DISTRIBUTED SOLAR CSC, Tata Power to set up 10,000 solar micro grids in rural areas The government’s e-governance services arm CSC announced a collaboration with NSE 3.19 % to set up solarpowered micro grids and water pumps in rural areas across the country. to READ MORE...scan

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FUNDING M&A EIB backs 3.4 billion investment for climate action and clean energy, sustainable transport, communications, water and private sector € 3.4 billion of new financing approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB) will accelerate shift towards renewable energy and sustainable transport, corporate innovation, improved housing, education and communications...

JSW Hydro Energy Raises $707 mn From Green Bond Sale JSW Hydro Energy, an arm of JSW Energy, has raised USD 707 million (about Rs 5,200 crore) from an international green bond issue that was oversubscribed by over four times, merchant bankers said to READ MORE...scan

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Energy storage

The necessity of energy storage system for energy Revolution

With the global trend of carbon neutrality and the change of energy structure, the penetration rate of photovoltaic power generation is growing rapidly, and the total installed capacity of the world was 128GW in 2020. Due to the peak and valley characteristics of photovoltaic, the PV+ESS energy model has become the golden combination of renewable energy for the future. As the world's leading provider of PV+ESS energy solutions, Kehua, with full-scenario energy storage solutions, ranked 8th in global PCS share of 2020(IHS Markit), In response to the grid demand, Kehua's distributed energy storage solution will greatly improve the efficiency of power generation and utilization of solar power for users. At the same time, it supports the energy dispatching to better respond to the demand of power grid.

1. Meet the rigid needs of the power grid The penetration rate of solar power is increasing rapidly in the energy structure. The volatility, randomness and unpredictability bring problems to the stability and reliability of the power grid.

The energy storage system has the advantage of fast charging and discharging. With the fluctuation of the grid load, intelligent charging and discharging management can effectively alleviate the adverse impact of PV generation on the grid and improve the stability and reliability of the grid. According to the current energy structure and the future development trend, it is necessary and urgent to equip the energy storage solution.

Effectively improve the ROI of solar plants Reduce the light dissipation rate to maximize the utilization of power generation.

-The energy storage system is charged when the solar energy is sufficient in the daytime and discharged at night, thus enhance utilization of solar power.

Peak-load shifting to reduce the cost of electricity -Monitor real-time electricity price difference -Intelligent scheduling of electricity -Reduce the demand and cost of electricity

Intelligent dispatch of high quality electricity User side-emergency power supply When the power grid fails, the energy storage system will be transformed into a UPS. The high reliability and high quality electric energy generated will guarantee the power supply on the user side.

Grid side - smoothing load In rush hour, electricity will be discharged from energy storage system, cutting power grid load rate, in order to smooth loads and stabilize the power grid.

2. Kehua Energy Storage Solution For behind-the-meter ESS, Kehua offers integrated solutions, as well as PV inverter, converter, EMS, battery system, temperature control system, fire control system, etc. EMS algorithm logic can be flexibly configured to meet the application needs of customers in different scenarios. For power generation and grid side ESS, Kehua provides solutions to maximize user revenue. The perfect combination of a 1000V/1500V high energy density turnkey solution, PCS and mediumvoltage system reduces the system cost on transportation, installation, commissioning, occupation space, etc. to the greatest extent.

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The value of Kehua ESS scheme Kehua ESS solutions improve ROI Installation Integrated design plug and play reduce space occupation lower transportation costs.

Commissioning Comprehensive simulation debugging before delivery entails simple configuration on site.

Intelligent EMS

As the brain of the energy storage system, EMS can intelligently adjust the power configuration of PV inverter and PCS. Kehua’s EMS system is able to: Support flexible configuration of the system, Big data analysis, To meet the application requirements of full-scenario, Increase profitability.

Improve the quality of electricity

As a power backup system, it ensures high quality power supply to key equipment in case of power grid failure.

Flexible and integrated energy dispatch Compatible with diesel generator to solve the problem of poor power supply.

Standard solution A variety of standard solutions for users, including 100KW, 250KW, 500KW systems with optional 1-2h battery capacity configuration.

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policy & regulations

Fraunhofer ISE Sets New World Record of 26 Percent Efficiency for Both-Sides-Contacted Solar Cell A team of researchers led by Dr. Armin Richter of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE achieved a record conversion efficiency of 26.0 percent for both-sides contacted silicon solar cells. In the recently published Nature Energy article "Design Rules for High-Efficiency Both-Sides-Contacted Silicon Solar Cell with Balanced Charge Carrier Transport and Recombination Losses" Download [nature.com], Richter explains the structure of the record-breaking cell and presents fundamental designrelated aspects leading to even higher efficiencies. The design of the back-side cell surface as a full-area charge-carrier collecting passivating contact was key to the success.

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The TOPCoRE solar cell achieved 26 percent efficiency, a new world record for both-sides-contacted solar cells.

ith a share of over 90 percent, solar cells made of crystalline silicon dominate the global photovoltaic market. Thanks to technological advances in recent years, their efficiency has already come very close to the theoretical efficiency limit of crystalline silicon (29.4 percent). Previously, record efficiencies of around 26 percent were limited to solar cells with both metal contacts at the rear, the so-called interdigitated back contact, or IBC, solar cells. Both-sides-contacted solar cells, however, have been established as the industry standard and have become the preferred choice in industrial production due to their lower complexity. With a new approach for both-sides contacted cells, the solar cell researchers at Fraunhofer ISE show that it is also possible to achieve the highest efficiencies for this type of solar cell. The basis for the record cell is the TOPCon technology (Tunnel Oxide Passivating Contact). Developed at Fraunhofer ISE, this technology combines the advantages of very low surface recombination losses with efficient charge carrier transport. While industrial standard cells have a pn junction on the front side, the pn junction in the record cell was formed on the back side as a full-surface TOPCon contact. Thus, the full-surface boron doping on the front side was no longer required so that only a local boron diffusion directly under the front-side contacts was implemented.

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This TOPCoRE cell (TOPCon Rear Emitter Solar Cell) allows higher voltages and higher fill factors than cells with a collecting emitter on the front side. With this cell design, the wafer can be better utilized for charge carrier transport and the front side is more effectively passivated, for which aluminum oxide is used. Detailed power loss analysis shows that this cell generally compensates for and minimizes both electron and hole transport losses as well as transport and recombination losses. "Based on a systematic simulation-based analysis, we were able to derive some fundamental design rules for future high-efficiency silicon solar cells above 26 percent efficiency. Both-sidescontacted solar cells have the potential to reach efficiencies up to 27 percent and thus surpass the previous world record for silicon solar cells," explains Prof. Stefan Glunz, Division Director of Photovoltaics Research at Fraunhofer ISE. This cell structure, developed at Fraunhofer ISE, has a major advantage in that the subsequent production step – connecting the solar cells to form a module – can be based on existing technologies, thus allowing the use of many standard techniques.

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Energy storage

The Conundrum of AntiDumping and Safeguard Duties in the Solar Sector

In line with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ the proposed implementation of BCD (Basic Customs Duty) a longstanding appeal from the industry – has brought cheer to domestic solar manufacturers. This is said to be implemented in April 2022. On the other hand, the Industry body Solar Power Developers Association (SPDA), a national association representing India's upcoming solar power generators and developers, has been crying foul since the government announced the BCD move it was considering. They have been urging the government to re-evaluate its decision to impose BCD on solar cells and modules stating that this would adversely impact the progress the country has been making in achieving its ambitious renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030. Rightly played, for why would the developers want to undergo losses?

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argely, this issue is compounded by problems pertaining to grid infrastructure, policy regulation, government subsidies and land acquisition for large scale power projects and quality of the Indian modules themselves.

Besides, the current domestic capacity is just not large enough to meet the current demand. However, increased reliance on only one source is not a favourable situation to be in. Take the pharmaceutical industry, for instance. 90 percent of the world’s API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) comes from China and the global industry is still coming to grips with this fact. It is a known fact that China has already exerted dominance and has grown to become a solar mammoth. More than two-thirds of the production of modules and cells worldwide is in China. This was possible because the government acknowledged the importance of solar back in 2000s and provided subsidies for land acquisition, ensured subsidised electricity to manufacturing facilities, gave loans at extremely low interest rates for setting up manufacturing units. China’s total installed solar capacity is 200 GW, nearly five times bigger than India’s installed solar capacity of only about 39 GW (as of Jan 31st 2021 according to MNRE data). This has led to China dictating terms for the global solar industry.

To break free from this absolute hold, it is necessary to empower the domestic solar manufacturers and help achieve economies of scale by bringing down the cost of production. The duties can be removed once the industry matures and is cost-competitive. With increasing module prices owing to lack of raw materials in China, this may just be the god-sent opportunity for Indian manufacturers to seize. We have to allow them time and give them a leg-up to boost domestic manufacturing in India. The ancillary industries which include EVAs, backsheets, aluminium, glass etc also need to weigh-in on the situation as BCD provides for a chance to develop these industries as well.

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Ishver Dholakiya, Founder & Managing Director, Goldi Solar The other issue at hand is that SGD (safeguard duty) ends in July 2021, it leaves the solar developers a window of opportunity to import modules from outside India, resulting in a huge blow to domestic solar manufacturers. Also important is the announcement of anti-dumping duty application on units in SEZs (Special Economic Zone). Earlier, SEZ's supplied domestically without any implications of the saved duties resulting in almost a one-rupee gap in the cost of 1 unit. While there is still no clarity, manufacturers operating in DTZs (Domestica Tariff Zone) are hopeful that they will no longer have to deal with price disparity owing to concessions. As a result of the insulation the government is providing to domestic markets and manufacturers, the strong division between module manufacturers and project developers has started to blur. More and more developers have made their entry into the solar manufacturing space. While this tussle between manufacturers and developers continues to unfold, the government needs to debate on the way forward to bridge this gap and ensure all stakeholders' interests are protected in a meaningful way.

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policy & regulations

All About PLI Scheme to READ MORE...scan

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Detail procedure for grant of connectivity and intra state open access to READ MORE...scan

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Seeking indulgence of the Commission and permission for extension of the period for completion of the Hero Solar Generation Switchyard Petition under Section 79(1)(f) along with Section 79(1)(k) of the Electricity Act, 2003 read with Regulations 32 and 33A of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grant of Connectivity, Long Term Access in inter-State Transmission and Related Matters) Regulations, 2009 seeking indulgence of the Commission and permission for extension of the period for completion of the Hero Solar Generation Switchyarddedicated transmission line connecting the 250 MW Solar Power Plant in Jodhpur along with terminal bays at both end with 765/400/220 kV Bhadla Pooling Station.

Seeking approval for procurement of 400 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Power from SECI for meeting its RPO Targets

Case of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking seeking approval for procurement of 400 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Power from Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited for meeting its Solar and Non solar Renewable Purchase Obligation Targets. to READ MORE...scan

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TANGEDCO is directed to verify the claim made by the petitioner & settle within 30 days with interest at 12% P.A. TANGEDCO is directed to verify the claim made by the petitioner and after deducting the amount already paid, settle the same within 30 days from the date of this order together with interest at 12% per annum from the date of filing of this petition till realisation. In the circumstances, there will be no order as to costs. to READ MORE...scan

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TNERC dismissed petition of Samalpatti Power Company to READ MORE...scan or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3z7G2t9

Staff paper on introduction of competitive bidding based transmission projects and fixing a benchmark project cost thereto to READ MORE...scan

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EQ

MAY 2021

21

policy & regulations

Increase in ISTS charges for short term power sale

TANGEDCO is directed to verify the claim made by the petitioner and after deducting the amount already paid, settle the same within 30 days from the date of this order together with interest at 12% per annum from the date of filing of this petition till realisation. In the circumstances, there will be no order as to costs.

Petition of Al Ameen Green Energy is closed with liberty to file a fresh petition to READ MORE...scan

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to READ MORE...scan

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Inviting Suggestions on Draft National Electricity Policy, 2021 to READ MORE...scan

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Seeking Approval of Procurement of 300 MW Solar Power on Long Term Basis Under the PSA

Petition under Section 86 (1) (b) of the Electricity Act, 2003 seeking approval of procurement of 300 MW Solar Power on Long Term basis under the Power Sale Agreement dated 15.10.2020 entered into between Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. and NHPC Ltd.

to READ MORE...scan

Amendment to Scheme Guidelines for CPSU Scheme Phase-II Implementation of Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-II (Government Producer Scheme) for setting up 12,000 MW grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Projects by the Government Producers with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support for self-use or use by Government/ Government entities, either directly or through Distribution Companies (DISCOMS)- Amendment –reg. to READ MORE...scan

or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3vONXJt

PSERC Adjourns Hearing on PSPCL Petition Seeking 300 MW Solar Power Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) filed a petition to Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) for approval of procurement of 300 MW Solar Power on Long Term basis under the Power Sale Agreement. to READ MORE...scan

or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3if7iQ4

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or Follow the link below... https://bit.ly/3uMa9mn

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technology

Introducing The Ultra-Modern, power packed Helia Series

by Jakson...1st Made in India PV Modules to have an efficiency of over 21% - The best in its class, manufactured at Jaksons fully automated, state of the art module manufacturing plant Jakson Group, one of India’s Top 10 Solar Companies, has announced the launch of “The Helia Series”, a range of indigenously developed Ultra-Modern, high output PV modules using A+ category half-cut MonoPERC solar cells. The Helia series will be available in both monofacial and bifacial categories, with variants ranging from 120, 132, 144, and 156 half-cut cells configuration. The bifacial range of Helia modules offer an additional power gain of up to 15% from the rear side of the modules due to the use of transparent back sheet. The Helia series PV modules are equipped with multi-busbar technology (MBB) and high-density interconnections enabling it to provide significantly better output at higher temperatures and under low-light/ shading conditions. Designed to perform at its peak in the most challenging of environments, the Helia series of PV modules have excellent PID characteristics and is covered by 25 years of performance warranty and 12 years of product workmanship warranty.

J

akson’s Helia range of PV modules are also cost-effective and will positively impact Return on Investment (ROI) of a solar plant by reducing the requirement of land/ rooftop space. This subsequently translates into a significant reduction in Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), balance-of-system (BoS) costs, civil work costs and O&M costs. This makes the Helia series an ideal choice for residential, commercial and utility-scale customers alike.

Key highlights and features of Jakson Helia series PV Modules:

• • • •

Addressing the virtual launch, Mr Sundeep Gupta, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Jakson Group said, “I am extremely happy to announce the launch of our new Helia series of high performance PV modules, manufactured using mono perc multi- busbar technology cells which is the latest technology being used globally. Available in both monofacial and bifacial configuration, the Helia series will start from 450 watt power output and will go right up to 600 watt, making us the first module manufacturer in India to offer solar modules with over 520 watt rating.

We will also be the first manufacturer in India to offer solar modules with a minimum 21% efficiency level (best in its class).

The Helia range of modules have been designed to give a much higher energy yield, compared to conventional modules thus increasing its cost efficiency. I am very confident that the Helia module range will strengthen Jaksons position as the top module manufacturer in India”

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• • • • •

Next Generation of Solar PV Modules with highest rating of 590 Wp - 1st among Indian Manufacturers.

Module with > 21% Efficiency – Best in Class.

Available in Power Rating from 440 Wp up to 590 Wp (Monofacial & Bifacial).

Bifacial range offers additional power gain of up to 15% from rear side of the modules.

Manufactured using MBB (Multi Bus Bar) technology in state-of-the-art fully automated facility.

Improved Temperature Coefficient of Pmax (- 0.35%/ deg celcius) - Better Generation at higher temperatures.

Reduced resistive loss with Half Cut Technology - Better Module Performance every day.

Lower LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity ) – Faster return on your investment.

Low LID Degradation using PERC Technology – Better Power Generation during its Life Cycle year on year.

• Reduced loss in shading conditions.

• 12 Year Product Warranty & 25 Year Performance Warranty.

• Suitable for Rooftop, Large Industries, Utility Power Plants.

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MAY 2021

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interview

EQ in Exclusive talk on solar, energy storage, and inverter trends with KSTAR sales director Mr. Lee EQ: How much Inverters have you supplied to India in 2020, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year ?

Lee: We have supplied about 70MW solar string inverters in India in 2020. Most of our solar inverters are OEM for other brands and the direct sales of KSTAR own brand. The Government of India has set a target of installing of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar.

To keep pace with the economic growth in India, KSTAR decides to continue to support the solar business by providing high quality inverters and energy storage systems, especially solar rooftop projects. We have targeted 30% growth of our solar inverters installation in 2021 and 35% growth in 2022 in India. STAR is a customerfocused company and has built up a comprehensive pre-sale and after-sale service team worldwide, including India. All the team members are experienced experts in the new energy industry. They are well-trained, always care about customer's requirements. They are using their expertise and passion to provide the favorable and highly efficient service for all the customers and partners all over the world.

EQ: The hybrid solar-storage market has started to take shape, what are some of the technical considerations for project developers in this area, and how have you designed storage products for this?

Lee: Well. For project developers in hybrid solar-storage area, some of the technical considerations are technology maturity, efficiency, scale, lifespan, cost and applications, taking into consideration their impact on the whole power system, including generation, transmission, distribution and utilization. CATL is the global TOP 3 battery manufacturer, and KSTAR is NO.1 China UPS manufacturer. CATL and KSTAR has build a joint venture named CATL-KSTAR in 2019 to support designed storage products with the higher quality and meet the international customers’ different needs. For the energy storage products, the joint venture uses advanced technology to maximize the harvest of electricity generation, like CATL battery solution + KSTAR inverter technology.

Residential energy storage hybrid system, commercial & industrial system and large-scale energy storage system are our target markets we focus on. All the designed storage products are integrated with CATL battery solutions and KSTAR inverter. A control and monitoring app enables seamless uninterruptible power supply and fast response times and can be programmed to benefit from time-of-use tariffs in markets where those apply; charging and storing energy when it is cheap and off-peak and allowing households to then use that power during the afternoon when it is more expensive.

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EQ: India market is important to you, but which markets are you looking at internationally and how do you plan to target these markets?

Lee: India is important to us. The solar energy market in India is expected to grow during the forecast period. India has abundance of solar irradiance and receives solar energy throughout the year.

This has created enormous opportunities to exploit solar energy from the sunniest sites in the country. The factor provides an opportunity for the growth of the solar energy market in India. Thus we are looking at internationally not only India, but also other Asian areas, Europe , Australia, Middle East and Latin America. For Asia, Europe and Australia, we will focus on wholesale distribution target market. KSTAR launches new energy products the most up-to date single-phase KSG-D series, three-phase 5-20K, all-in-one CATL energy storage Blue series. Single-phase KSG-D series is intelligent and elegant for residential PV systems. It is simple and easy to use, high efficiency power generation, high reliability, much stronger adaptability. Smaller & lighter design brings great convenience for our customers. While BluE-S-5000D Series All-In-One Single Phase Storage Solution with CATL technology, under our offerings already to be launched, we are able to provide up to 5kW for residential applications, and from 50kW up to 5000 kW for commercial and industrial applications, smart solutions available for different configurations. For three-phase 5-20K, KSTAR will launch it for small and medium-sized roof -top PV projects in the near future. For Middle East, KSTAR plans to target turnkey solutions and large energy storage solutions through expanding large-scale power plants and industrial projects. KSTAR smart turnkey solutions stand out from many manufacturers and suppliers. Its mature smart PV technology with innovation is widely recognized worldwide, like the powerful product GSM series, installed in 800MW PV projects in Russia and 320 MW solar-water based power plant in Asia, which were all using KSTAR DC 1500V Turnkey Solution--incorporates features Max. DC/AC ratio is up to 1.5, night SVG function, modular design for easy maintenance and full power output under 500C. Besides, KSTAR is able to provide large energy storage solutions, like GSE-MV Series Turnkey Solution GSE5000MV, which is highly integrated, including integrated converter, step-up transformer (10kV/35kV), with lower system losses, battery access management. In addition to that, GSE5000-MV is safe and reliable and grid friendly, suitable for extreme outdoor environment, effective forced air cooling, 1.1 overload capacity.

For Latin America, KSTAR plans to look for more opportunities with residential distributors and agents. We supply string inverters (3K-120K) there, which will be penetrating gradually in the local area. The model of our products there are the same as that we provide in Europe. Brazil and Mexico are big PV markets with great popularity. KSTAR has launched a new 1100V string grid-tied PV inverter with advanced features to support the adoption of highperformance bifacial modules for Commercial & Industrial (C&I) PV power plants designed to meet a wide-range of applications. The KSG-150UM/KSG-120CL series of inverters can be used in harsh environments with optimized performance harvesting.

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interview EQ: KSTAR is launching new products this year. Can you talk more about these?

Lee: We will launch several new products; a 1500V string inverter for large-scale applications, 1100V string gridtied PV Inverter, and an all-in-one single-phase storage solution BluE Series. The 1500 V string inverter is for large utility-scale power plants. The 250 kW inverter offers an efficiency of 99%, for a European rating of 98.5%. It has 12 maximum power point tracking (MPPT) channels and 24 string inputs. For the hybrid inverter BluE series, combining KSTAR inverters with a CATL battery solution, the latest KSTAR all-in-one single-phase storage offering provides customers with an optimal experience.

EQ: What according to you are the current opportunities, biggest challenges, in Indian Solar Market?

Lee: One of the current opportunities for us in Indian market is the sharp decline in prices of solar technologies in recent years by more than 52% between 2010 and 2019, according to a PV media’s report. That has been one of the biggest drivers in the adoption of solar PV in the country. Our platform is mature enough to lower O & M costs.

The topology is very stable and the components use famous international brands. Moreover, KSTAR products have passed sound reliability and environmental tests, which greatly improves the product quality to enhance the stability and security, reducing the loss of electricity generation. During these years, KSTAR has continuously upgraded technological innovation, reducing the cost of products, simplifying the O&M process, extending the cycle life of the systems’ O&M, etc. The current biggest challenge is the COVID-19 impact, which has witnessed on the supply of solar inverters and the delays in solar projects. The country was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. However, our business is growing steadily this year although there is Covid-19 pandemic. We were influenced slightly by the Covid-19. Some major PV projects are delayed in India and the Middle East, but our ESS products developed in a joint venture with CATL have been sold well in Asia and Europe this year.

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EQ: Present some noteworthy projects, case studies of solar plants built using your solar Inverters Lee: KSTAR has 27 years experienced electrical and electronic technology background. KSTAR is devoted to new energy solutions for many years. Until now, there is more than 25 GW installation for KSTAR worldwide. There are some noteworthy projects and case studies of solar plants using KSTAR solar inverters, like the 240 MW Pokrovska SPP in Ukraine in Oct 2019--The powerful KSTAR product GSM2500C-MV35 installed there, the 320MW (120MW+200MW ) solar-water power plant in Cixi Zhejiang China completely grid-connected with an expected annual generation of 352 million KWH, which were using KSTAR central inverter (GSL2500C-MV and GSL1250,High efficiency up to 99% ) solutions. Also one of the largest PV ground power plant 900MW in Pakistan, KSTAR central inverters were installed there and have a good performance for more than 5 years. The utility PV solution from KSTAR incorporates high reliability of more than 99% availability over many years, easy installation and maintenance, low operation and maintenance cost, SVG function with fast response to the reactive power control.

EQ: String inverters continue to capture market share in the solar sector, what’s driving that and what technological innovations are you working on in this regard?

Lee: String inverters continue to capture market share in the solar sector. The market share of string inverters developing has gained significant growth across residential and small commercial establishments owing to their effective operational feasibility during these years, which is driving that and will still play an important role in the future. String inverters are already dominant in many global PV markets including Asia, Europe, Australia and Latin America. Innovation can further improve the business case for string inverters in the areas of declining component prices, functionality and higher reliability, whose easy to install features, long-term benefits and much more offerings along with lower prices will drive the industry growth during the forecast period.

For residential string inverters, customers are likely to choose easy -installed, novel appearance and stable& reliable products.

Energy storage all-in-one system will be the developing trend in the future.

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MAY 2021

25

interview

Mr. Rucas Wang

General Manager APAC, Growatt 26

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MAY 2021

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interview

EQ: How much Inverters have you supplied to India till now, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year?

RW: So far we have supplied more than 130,000 PV converters to India. Our target for the India market this year is to reach the total shipment capacity of 1 GW, but it also depends on how well India can control the pandemic. Our target for next year depends on the policy changes in India and whether the installation demand is met this year.

EQ: What are your views on BIS and other tariff barriers?

RW: 70% of the world’s inverters are made in China and our inverters are cheaper than the European and American ones. We believe that all the additional costs will only be added to the users.

EQ: What are your views on Inverters – Make in India?

RW: Currently we don’t have any plans to build a factory in India.

EQ: Please describe in brief about your company, directors, promoters, investors, its vision & mission.

RW: Growatt is a global leader of smart energy solutions and provides residential, commercial and large scale PV inverters, energy storage, microgrid systems and smart energy management solutions. Growatt ranks among global top 10 PV inverter suppliers according to IHS Markit and Wood Mackenzie. Founded in 2010, Growatt has established an extensive network with 14 branches worldwide. By the end of 2020, Growatt had shipped over 2.6 million inverters to more than 100 countries around the world.

EQ: What according to you is the current opportunities, biggest challenges, in Indian Solar Market?

RW: India has a large demand for electricity, a large power gap and abundant sunshine, which are very conducive to the development of PV industry. But the sustainability of the policy, as well as the stability of the economy, the stability and capacity of the grid will be the challenges for PV development in India.

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your Inverters in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback.

RW: In 2020, Growatt’s inverters sell very well in India. In the Rooftop PV inverter rankings published by Bridge to India, we have a market share of over 17%, taking the first place.

EQ: Whats your commitment towards the solar sector in India?

RW: We will continue to provide high quality, cost-effective products for the Indian market. We have a local team in India to provide technical support, marketing, warehousing and after-sale service for Indian customers.

EQ: What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities, growth chart, future expansion plans, revenues, shipments, ASP’s, financial figures?

RW: In March this year, our new factory started production and will provide 20GW of shipment to our global customers every year. In 2020, our global shipment capacity exceeded 10GW and generated the revenue of over 500 million US dollars.

EQ: How much is your R&D budget as % of your sales / profits?

RW: Growatt is especially dedicated to technology and product innovations, and around 10% of company revenue is invested in R&D each year.

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EQ: What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future?

RW: Growatt’s top ranking PV markets change often because the ranking is affected by the local policy. In 2020, our top five markets are Europe, China, Latin America, Australia and Vietnam. India approximately ranked 7th last year and is expected to be the same this year.

EQ: What will be the cost, technology trends in solar inverters?

RW: The price of the inverters has dropped by 70% in the past decade so there won’t be any price decrease recently. Instead, it might increase because of the intense chip supply worldwide. Solar string inverters tend to have higher and higher unit power in the future.

EQ: What according to you is the current opportunities, biggest challenges, in Indian Solar Market?

RW: The C&I segment is moving fast with 100KW rating of inverter. These is one of the biggest opportunity for Growatt as we are coming up with MAX 100-125KW inverter in Q3 of 2021. With ever increasing demand the price requirements for inverter are falling considerably, and with increase in custom duties its difficult to cater low price requirement of customers.

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your Inverters in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback.

RW: Growatt entered Indian market in 2021 and now its more than 9 years Growatt is having its presence in Indian market. We have shipped more than 1,50,000 unit to India in last 9 years which aggregates to approx more than 2GW. Growatt inverters were and are widely used for Government tenders and are installed in major Government offices like BPCL, HPCL, railways.

If we talk about geographically Growatt has installed its inverter in about more than 90% of Indian states starting from Jammu& Kashmir to Kanyakumari. May be it a high altitude installation in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh or sunny region of Rajasthan or humid weather of Tamil Nadu and Kerala , Growatt inverters are working great with no issues.

EQ: Briefly describe the various technologies and its suitable applications such as Central Inverter, String, Micro Inverter, 1500V, Outdoor, Container solutions etc..

RW: Growatt being a 100% manufacturer of only string inverters have its installation base in Residential section, C&I and also Utility. All our Inverters are IP 66 rated and also C5 protected, so it becomes very easy for outdoor installation and with smart force cooling its help for longer life of inverter. We have a very good case study of 90MW Solar Farm in Thailand where 20KW inverters were inducted. So i think string inverter bridges the gap between Central and MIcro Inverter.

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MAY 2021

27

interview

Ms. Juhi Marwadi Director, Pixon Energy

EQ: What are your views on proposed BCD on Modules & Cells import in India?

JM: The proposed BCD on the modules and cells import in India is a very calculative measure undertaken by the Indian government. Enough time margin is provided to not hinder the already bid projects. Considering the short-term impacts of BCD implementation, the overall module prices may hike by 12.5% which is very less than the new imported module prices that would cost about 40% more. Thus, the local demand will certainly get a boost. It is a green signal for solar manufacturing industries like PIXON. Government is also providing incentives of about 50% for DCR content in modules. Thus, the long-term impact would be very positive and favour the entire manufacturing industry as well, this time.

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EQ: What are your views on World Market Scenario and its impact on pricing and availability of modules in this year and next year? Any expectations.

JM: The world is going through challenging times. The pandemic has got humanity on one page. There are unexpected second & third waves and subtly declared lockdowns pan India causing a lot of labour availability issues and increased transportation costs. The different emergency guidelines stated by the international governments also cause hindrance in the imports of both solar modules and raw materials. A huge gap between the demand and supply has been witnessed, in consideration to the availability of modules. This shall certainly hike the module prices in India and also in the global market. First time in past 5 years, the module prices are likely to go up by 15-20% approximately.

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interview

EQ: Kindly comment on policies and regulatory aspects like BCD, BIS and ALMM.

EQ: Kindly highlight your product, technology & company USP’s and distinctive advantages.

JM: PIXON stands for Quality & Integrity. We always abide by the policies and regulatory aspects pertaining to the Quality of products like BIS & ALMM. All our products are made considering not just national standards, but also meeting the global standards of quality. The ALMM might not show direct benefits to manufacturing segment, yet would have indirect benefits to regulate the quality of modules getting installed in the solar power plants in India. The only thing we expect from the government policy is clarity and tenure of policy to sustain the market fluctuations and rates.

EQ: Describe about your company in terms of manufacturing capacities and growth chart.

JM: PIXON houses European sourced technology turnkey manufacturing line that requires minimum human intervention.

The prime USP of our machinery is that it is a complete aggregate from a single vendor, unlike the cherry-picking concept for the entire manufacturing line. Thus, the machinery provides with distinctive advantage where the downtime and sync issues are minimal with accurate yield of efficient modules. This is the only machinery setup of its kind in India. PIXON always focuses on the value addition to its customers. The key is to manufacture solar modules with high energy density advantages and low LOC benefits, thereby reducing the cost of renewable energy. The PIXON modules yield high output power and are efficient & robust. The eminent and reliable choice in the market.

EQ: What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future?

JM: PIXON manifests into both – solar product manufacturing and solar turnkey EPC solutions. The colossal industry is spread on 65,000 sq. m of land. The company is equipped with the state-of-the-art turnkey manufacturing facility of 400 MW capacity for module production, sourced from Europe. It is also ramping up the manufacturing lines for EVA films (800 MW) and other raw materials to regulate quality aspects. The company is pacing at a faster growth rate. Even after complete lockdown witnessed last year, the company could scale up its operations and recruitment drive to expand by ten-folds.

EQ: What are your plans to ramp up your manufacturing base in India in the light of the proposed BCD? JM: As already mentioned, we are scaling up to increase our product range by including in-house manufacturing of raw material like EVA Films, Backsheets, etc. With stable policies and aiding regulations like BCD, we would also increase our plant module production capacity from 400 MW to 1 GW. The setting up of a NABL accredited quality lab is also in pipeline. With each plan and setup, the aim is to regulate quality of our products, especially the solar modules.

EQ: Please describe in brief about your company directors, promoters, investors, its vision & mission.

JM: PIXON is a venture of the Marwadi Group, imbibing consumer trust since past 27+ years. The Board of Directors come from diverse backgrounds of Engineering, Finance and Import-Export. They carry more than a decade of business expertise and with their vision and analytics, optimally direct the company. The company’s technical mentors also got an experience of more than 25 years in solar industry. The BOD also holds space for young and talented entrepreneurs. The mission of the company is to adopt technologies to harness solar energy, deploy the usage of solar energy and thus, contribute to mother Earth to attain global climate sustainability. While attaining this mission, PIXON sets its vision to be a global leader in Solar Industry by providing efficient Solar Energy Solutions.

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JM: The top 5 target markets apart from India are Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Africa and Australia.

EQ: How much is your R&D budget as % of your sales / profits?

JM: PIXON believes that in order to make a lot of sales & profits, one should not invest in R&D with respect to their profit but other way round. One should set specific percentage from the capital revenue for Research & Development in order to keep at par with advancing technologies and sustaining profits. We started with allocating the 10% of our capital revenue for the Design & Development Vertical.

EQ: What are the new technology innovations in Solar Modules, Logistical aspects usage of larger format modules?

JM: The new larger format modules are able to sustain same voltages as the regular size modules using M2-M3 solar cells.

It is a very effective cost-cutting innovation as there is significant deduction in the overall BOS cost. However, it is difficult to commercialize its production in many countries, including India.

EQ: Comment on the technology road map in terms of 1500 V, Double glass, BiFacial Cells, PERC Technologies and other upcoming game changing technologies.

JM: There have been a lot of research and development going on across the globe for solar since a decade or more. It has finally reached commercialisation stages and being accepted by masses globally. A lot of innovation are coming each day. The modules have already been upgraded to 1500 V from 1000 V. The usage of Bi-facial modules using Bi-facial cells would also have its own perks. Aesthetically designed solar shingles is also an interesting innovation for niche market. Technologies like HJT (Heterojunction cell modules), IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact cells), MBB (Multi Busbar cell modules) are also making showing good results. However, all these solar module innovations need to pass thorough tests over the time and meet commercialisation stages before making substantial space in the market.

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MAY 2021

29

interview

Mr. Manish Gupta

Director, Insolation Energy

EQ: Proposed BCD on Modules/Cell import in India…

What are your views on this.?

MG: The government has decided to impose 40% basic customs duty (BCD) on solar modules and 25% on solar cells from 1 April 2022. There will be no grandfathering of power projects that are already bid out, considering the one-year period is sufficient to help developers secure the required raw materials in time .This is a welcome step in the right direction. This will encourage local manufacturing and reduce dependence on cheap imports thereby saving precious foreign exchange. Further the need of the hour is to have robust manufacturing base right from silicon manufacturing to modules. The Government should come out with more such stable, long term policies which are favorable to MSME sector as well as big enterprises.

EQ: World market scenario and its impact on pricing and availability of modules this year. Expected pricing and availibilty this year and next year?

MG: The world is passing through a very tough and challenging time. Second and third waves of Covid have created a situation of uncertainty and unpredictability across the world. Frequent lockdowns and burgeoning health expenses have greatly impacted the supply and demand cycle. Shortage of raw material, increased input costs, logistic challenges and manpower constraints have further aggravated the situation. In the prevailing scenario and the long term effect of this on economy we expect the availability to be tight and price to remain upwards.

EQ: How much modules have you supplied to India till now? What is the target and expectation in this year and next year?

MG: In the last Financial Year (2020-21) we have supplied approx 100+ MW of modules. This year our target is to supply 150 MW and further 250 MW in the next year.

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EQ: What are the new technology innovations in solar modules, logistical aspects and usage of larger format modules?

MG: We are sitting at a stage where we can foresee the phasing out of polysilicon modules. Gradually we are seeing the narrowing of price gap between mono perc and poly modules. Stage is clearly set for new technologies like mono perc, bifacial modules and twin peak modules …. Bigger cell sizes with multiple bus bars are going to see the light of the day. These highly efficient modules in higher wattages and higher voltages will ease the logistical aspects, reduce the land requirement, reduce the BOE cost and finally brings down the LCOE. EQ: Kindly comment on policies and regulatory aspects BCD, BIS , ALMM etc..

MG: We at Insolation Energy are very quality conscious. Our products are made using the best of raw material, best of manufacturing equipments and best of manufacturing practices. Being a quality conscious house we appreciate the initiatives like BIS, ALMM etc. However we firmly believe that there should be uniformity in policies across the various government departments.

The policies should be such that they are transparent, easy to implement, long term and stable. In addition we request government to create lab infrastructure wherein tests are done at an economical price and quality too is ensured.

EQ: What are your plans to ramp up or set up or grow your manufacturing base in India in light of the proposed BCD. MG: The covid-19 pandemic brought disruptions in international trade, including imports of solar modules and solar cells, affecting solar capacity additions. Considering India’s huge solar targets and that electricity is a strategic sector of the economy, India needs to develop domestic solar manufacturing capacities and reduce its dependence on imports to avoid disruption. The government has also noted instances of certain countries dumping solar cells and modules to kill the nascent domestic industry because of which the government has proposed BCD. In light of these facts we are gearing to double our capacity to 300 MW this year. We further plan to increase this to 500 MW in the next two years.

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interview

Mr. Pankaj Dhingra CEO, BVG Clean Energy Ltd. India, with limited local hydrocarbon resources and huge renewable potential, can become a major producer of green hydrogen on account of its low solar price also will build a globalscale green hydrogen industry in India.

EQ: What are the company’s key operational areas? What services does it offer in the clean energy space?

PD: BVG, Bharat Vikas Group was incorporated by Mr. H. R. Gaikwad in 1997 with only 8 persons. Presently, BVG Group, is India’s largest integrated services group with 80,000+ employees serving 750+ government and private clients in 22 states of India. BVG Clean Energy was established to help our planet in lowering the carbon emissions and fight against climate change. We have a young and experienced team in project management, engineering and design, business development, SCM and O&M. At present, we are undertaking EPC of utility-scale and rooftop solar power plants in India as well as internationally. We are also present in the solar water pumps and conversion of plastic to fuel space. We are targeting major IPPs, developers and investors, who are investing their capital to reap better ROIs of the projects with high quality and timely delivery of the projects. BVG Clean is targeting 1GW+ of solar EPC projects within year 2021-22. Our turnover averaged at 20 billion (approx.) for the past three years and we are financially stable to execute the solar projects which allow timely completion of the projects to avoid time and cost overruns.

EQ: How do you think Green hydrogen is important for India’s RE targets?

PD: Green hydrogen is very critical to meet India’s target of 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. This target is extremely ambitious and achievable. Due to surplus generation of renewables in peak-generation hours, with further addition of renewables to its power grid, India will face a ‘duck curve’. To utilize cheap solar power, currently at INR 1.99/kWh, we need to find other uses of solar power during its generation hours.

Through the scaling up of green hydrogen from renewables, we will require a significant amount of renewable energy capacity addition to help India march towards its 450 GW target.

Electricity typically accounts for 70% of the production cost of green hydrogen. Hence, surplus electricity from India’s renewable plants can augment green hydrogen economics. This will also protect the grid and make more reliable & stable.

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EQ: Which industries will have more access of Green Hydrogen?

PD: Wind and solar energy can provide the electricity to power homes and electric cars, but green hydrogen could be an ideal power source for energy-intensive industries like refining, steel, cement, heavy mobility and industrial heating. India is the world’s third-largest emitter, with 3.6 gigatonnes of Co2 equivalent across sectors, and green hydrogen will have to play a role in our development energy transition in India.

EQ: What should India do to build a global-scale green hydrogen industry?

PD: More than 25 nations have set up roadmaps for green hydrogen, including mandates and financial incentives to accelerate the transition to it. In India, as per my understanding, we should go this way: 1. Clear ambitious targets for green hydrogen and electrolyzer capacity by 2030 on similar lines as renewables.

2. Mandate blending a certain percentage of green hydrogen with grey hydrogen for existing applications like oil refining and fertilizers, depending on the viability gap, and mandate new greenfield capacities of hydrogen applications like oil refining and fertilizers to use only green hydrogen from a future cut-off date (to avoid long term lock-ins).

3. Well planned aim to build a vibrant hydrogen products export industry, such as green steel, using a phased manufacturing programme.

4. I think, India should form a regional alliance with South Korea, Japan and Singapore to export green hydrogen from coastal India to help them reach their net-zero ambitions.

5. Capital cost contributes around 30% of green hydrogen costs, and dollar-linked contracts for procurement of hydrogen should be explored in relevant demand sectors, as is done for oil and gas.

6. And lastly India should plan to roll out a production-linked incentive scheme for electrolyzer manufacturing to address the huge global supply bottleneck.

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interview

Mr. Daniel Liu

Head of South & Central Asia JinkoSolar

EQ: Kindly shed some light on JinkoSolar’s presence in the Indian market.

DL: JinkoSolar has been a consistent leader in the Indian market both in terms of shipments and technology. Jinko captured a market share of 22% with shipments reaching 1200 MW+ just in 2020. In addition to this, Jinko has also been recognized as the top supplier to India in the last quarter (Q4) of 2020 with a 650 MW shipment number across all segments. To put things into perspective – Jinko has touched the 70 GW+ installation record across the globe and is the first company ever to achieve this amazing feat. As we continue to increase our market share in India, we have added some of the best clients and projects in our kitty. Jinko boasts of a rich customer mix between major IPPs, C&I Developers, EPCs and Rooftop players. We have been able to penetrate in the distribution segment as well with our Tiger and Tiger Pro Series modules which are already class performers in the utility segment. Jinko has been a market leader when it comes to orchestrating a technology shift from poly to mono in India. We have been the advocates of Bifacial technology and its rampant adoption in all future utility scale projects. Jinko has supplied huge capacities to the likes of Azure Power, Adani Green, Fortum, ReNew Power, Mahindra Susten, CleanTech Solar, Amplus Solar, Hinduja Group, EDEN and KEC International among others, which speaks volumes about Jinko’s presence and its part in India’s solar journey.

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EQ: How would you like to respond to the recent reports claiming major suppliers backing out of contracts citing raw material price rise issues?

DL: Jinko has been the only global player that was able to steer through these raw material supply and price challenges without backing out from any of the signed deals with our Indian customers. We have a well-defined strategy for India as it is one of the largest and most price sensitive market globally. I would like to shun away some recent baseless claims as rumors, which implied Jinko not being able to honor its commitments to its customers. We have had an excellent track record in India having the best of the clients in our kitty. We saw a fabulous 2020 despite the challenges posed by the pandemic with over 1.2 GW of shipments to India. Moreover, JinkoSolar is the leading supplier to India in Q1 as per customs import data. This fact itself contradicts the false reports claiming Jinko to back out of orders. There will be an overlap with China, with demand peaking during Q4 in India too because of the BCD announcement from next year forcing developers to secure shipments by March 2022. This will further leave little or no room for price drops, but we are well equipped to face this challenge. Our focus and commitment to India will only grow stronger as we strive to bring the best products and technology to this market.

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interview

EQ: Proposed BCD on Module/Cells Import in India…What are your views on this?

DL: Basic Customs Duty is a paradigm shift in the Indian solar program. Several global investors had made a conscious choice to invest in India looking at its progressive policies.

However, BCD is appearing to be a disruptive step, which would support only a select section of the stakeholders, while posing hurdles to many. Independent Power Producers are always willing to take risk by offering lower tariffs, bid after bid. They could only achieve such lower tariffs due to certain positive and supportive policies. While we appreciate the Government’s intent behind imposing BCD on solar imports, a plan needs to be chalked out for its phased and gradual application rather than 40% straightaway from April 2022. This gives limited time to domestic players to ramp up their capacity in India and to the foreign players like us to take steps towards setting up base in India with a long-term business perspective. Apart from manufacturers, IPPs will also face the burden of added costs in their financial models with the BCD and the cess (4%) on it coming into play. It is also important to view the BCD imposition timeline considering the ongoing COVID situation which might lead to manpower shortage and project delays, like last year. IPPs will have no option but to file appeals for COD extensions due to labor and raw material mobility constraints. It will only make sense to extend the BCD imposition timelines as well to account for these issues. This, in the near team, will have only one affect – Increase in tariffs!

As the demand is very high with aggressive RE targets in India, dependency on imports cannot be zero both due to the quantity and quality factors. Are DISCOMs and end customers ready for this…?

EQ: World Market Scenario and its impact on pricing and availability of modules in this year. Expected Pricing & Availability in this year and next year?

DL: As many countries take actions to promote solar energy to cut carbon emissions and create a better environment, the demand is expected to be on a continuous rise. The sector is seeing a lot of serious investment worldwide across Utility Scale, C&I and Residential space. It is expected that the hiking price trend may continue until the first half of 2021. All of us are also aware of the raw material and freight situation and how that impacted prices in the last few quarters. If polysilicon and other components continue with their upward trend, the module pricing may be impacted further in the second half of 2021. Recently, Solarzoom reported that polysilicon prices have hit an all-time high of 150 RMB/kg which is almost three times the Q2 2020 price! It is clear that polysilicon prices are not expected to drop for at least another six months. With our capacity, advanced technology and strategic partnerships with raw material suppliers like Tongwei and Flat, JinkoSolar will maintain its leading position in the global market.

EQ: Currently, what kind of modules have been demanded by Indian customers i.e. mono, poly, bifacial etc? Which grades?

Explain.

DL: The Poly technology is gradually obsoleting, primarily because it can’t produce higher wattage modules due to technology limitations. Mono PERC technology is the most preferred choice today. Within the Mono PERC technology, we have several options such as Standard Flat Ribbon, Tiling Ribbon, etc. Then we have the option to choose between mono-facial and bi-facial variants of one make.

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Within Bifacial technology, we have options with the type of back cover – glass-glass or glass-transparent back sheet. For the most efficient technology of modules, which can produce 550Wp to 580Wp power, only top-Tier (Super League) players have large production capacities to the tune of over 100-150GW globally. This means that IPPs can benefit immensely from the large volume availability and the resulting optimised BoS costs. We have been seeing this trend around the globe and India is not lagging anymore in adopting latest technologies. Recently, Mono PERC with Tiling Ribbon & Bifacial with dual glass or transparent backsheet have been the top choices by IPPs. EQ: What are the new technology innovations in Solar Modules, Logistical aspects and usage of larger format modules?

DL: Jinko’s Tiger Pro product was released in 2020 with power of 580W/585W, making it one of the most powerful products in the industry. This will completely change the dynamics. Our 182” platform for large-scale solar projects, is by far the most powerful commercial offering in India, with an output of 540-545W. The product’s size and weight are good enough to be packed safely and economically and is designed for traditional two-man carry and installation practice even in South East Asia regions or under other tough field conditions. Any size beyond this proportion is not friendly for shipping and installation. JinkoSolar has 182” wafer-based Tiger Pro modules, measures 2,274mm x 1,134mm, weighing 28kg, making it perfect for two-man installation. It is compatible with centralized inverters and sits securely on a conventional tracking system. Besides, no portrait loading or lying flat package is required for fitting it into a 40’ High Cube. So, basically the m10 wafer-based module is optimized to meet the performance and reliability demands of the industry and to reduce the LCOE of a solar power plant.

EQ: What are your plans to set up or grow your manufacturing base in India in light of the Proposed BCD? DL: JinkoSolar is a leading global player and we keep on expanding our manufacturing base year on year. We are evaluating the recent changes in Indian renewable energy policies and solar module import framework, and at an appropriate time will take a call on this.

EQ: How much is your R&D budget as % of your sales/ profits?

DL: We are very focused on R&D. Last year more than 2% of the revenues were directed to R&D and this will be increasing each year as we grow in terms of sales, profitability and market share. Our emphasis has always been on offering advanced technology to our clients. We achieved 1347 Patent Applications, 94 invention patents, 958 Authorized Patents, with 1.124 billion RMB expenditure in last year.

EQ: What do you foresee for JinkoSolar in 2021?

DL: India is a strategic market for us due to its inherent growth opportunities and will continue to be so. We have even better expectations from 2021 both in India and globally. In India, we have already opened the year with record shipments in Q1 maintaining our market leader position form Q4 last year. This paves the way forward for us as we continue to focus on quality, profitability and technology.

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interview

Mr. Chiranjeev Saluja

Founder & Managing Director Premier Energies

EQ: Proposed BCD on Module/Cells Import in India…What are your views on this.

CS: Introduction of BCD will encourage investment in the solar manufacturing sector and facilitate creation of at least 10GW of module capacity and about 5 to 10 GW of cell capacity additionally in the coming 2 to 3 years. These investments will ensure creation of at least 20000 new jobs directly and indirectly. The new BCDs should at least last for 5 years as the technology of solar we have seen in the past rapidly shifts/changed i.e. on an avg. every 4 to 5 years basis. However the Major Raw material cost are still in control of Chinese. Until unless we are not manufacturing the raw materials in India the price pressure will persist.

Indian manufacturers should take this opportunity of trade to improve their manufacturing capability not only for solar modules and cells, but we should also focus on other Raw materials such as Wafers , back sheet, glass, junction boxes and aluminum frames which are predominantly imported by the manufacturers as part of their supply chain requirements.

EQ: Please share your Product Road Maps – Pricing, Technology.

CS: 1. Premier energies’ new module line of 750 MW p.a is capable of handling various cell sizes i.e M2, G1, M4, M6, M9, M10 & M12, right from 156. to 210mm. We shall be able to offer industry leading 500+Wp solar panels.

2. Also our Cell line comes with a Universal texturing machines which enable us to produce Poly and Mono Perc cells in the same line with minimal downtime.

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Technology & Trend: Cell technology: Multi will remain for several years but mono is clearly continuing its triumph.

Wafer size trend: Wafer sizes are increasing for mono and multi, for multi sizes 158.75-161mm will prevail, for mono, 182mm and 210mm will become standard.

PERC and derivative are – and will be – the ruling cell technology for a long time to come. Bifacial cells are gaining market share.

Cell bus bar technology: Multi bus bar (>9 BB) technology is replacing 5BB, gain is significant when combined with round wire module interconnection.

Premier Energies is well prepared for industry leading technology trends for many years to come.

EQ: World Market Scenario and its impact on pricing and availability of modules in this year. Expected Pricing & Availability in this year and next year ?

CS: 1. It is very tough to predict the market scenario in short term because the price of key raw materials is highly volatile. In the 3rd and 4th quarter of FY 20-21, we saw an exponential rise in the cost of glass which subsequently crashed in the last week of March 21, citing the reason as ‘low demand’ while a few weeks prior to that, Chinese suppliers were swamped with orders which led to the price rise in the first place.

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interview 2. Coming to wafers, there has been price rise of over 100% for poly crystalline in the last 2-3 months which is being attributed to excessive demand from India since rest of the world has stopped using Poly modules. Currently there is a shortage of modules in the market due to year-end pressures and the covid pandemic but we expect the situation to ease gradually in the next 3-4 months. Predicting the price is not something that we’d speculate in at the moment.

3. After the imposition of BCD, the costs may go up or the producers in China may decide to reduce the raw material prices by some extent due to demand adjustment in the beginning of FY 22-23.

EQ: What is the likely price trend, availability trend of solar modules in upcoming quarters?

CS: Same as Above EQ: How much modules have you supplied to India till now, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year?

CS: More than 1.5GW of modules has been supplied till date in India. And our target is to supply approx. 1 GW per year next year onwards.

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your modules in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback.

CS: We have been producing modules since 1995 and our modules have used in various applications like, ground mount, rooftops, solar pumping system, floating solar, canal tops, etc.

This exposure to various applications has given us the opportunity to continually add to our product portfolio and to make our product robust for different kind of environments. Our products are well accepted in India as well as exported to 30 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa & North America. We expect the performance will increase significantly as we have put up a new advanced cell & module line recently, which is capable of handling various cell sizes i.e. M2, G1, M4, M6, M9, M10 & M12.

EQ: Present some noteworthy projects, case studies of solar plants built using your solar modules.

CS: 1. Canal top.

2. 100MW NLC. 3. More than 35000 solar pumps across Nation, plz refer website for more.

EQ: What are the new technology innovations in Solar Modules, Logistical aspects usage of larger format modules?

CS: 1. BSF Cells: With an outdated technology & low efficiency the market share shall decrease over a period of time.

2. PERC and derivative are the currently ruling cell technology due to its efficiency compared with BSF. And its market share is expected to increase further.

EQ: What are your plans to ramp up or set up or grow your manufacturing base in India in light of the Proposed BCD? CS: 1. Currently we have set up a new advance cell & module line capacity of 750MWp.a each in Hyderabad.

2. And we are planning to put up another 1.1GW of cell line this year 3. Our target is to ramp up 1GW of cell & Module line every year to achieve 3GW cell & Module line capacity.

EQ: Please describe in brief about your company, directors, promoters, investors, its vision & mission Over 25+ Years of Excellence.

CS: 1. Premier Energies (Formerly Premier Solar System) is one of the oldest players in the Indian solar industry with over 25+ years of experience. Incorporated in 1995, Premier Energies is an integrated solar solutions company and provides turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for setting up solar power plants. It has also forayed into segments such as solar power generation and manufacturing of solar photo voltaic cells and solar products.

2. The company is managed by Mr. Surenderpal Singh Saluja and Mr. Chiranjeev Singh Saluja, who have an experience of over 25 years years across various business verticals.

3. The Company is one of the leading solar PV module manufacturers in India with a track record of more than two decades and provides the following services: 4. Manufacturing: Operates a 750MW of Cell manufacturing & 1250 MW automatic solar module manufacturing which can produce both, polycrystalline and mono PERC modules. And It is in the process of expanding its module facility by 2000 MW and 1,875 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing facility 5. IPP: Operates ~28 MW solar power projects.

6. EPC: Provides EPC services for ground mounted and rooftop solar power projects and has executed 500+ MW projects till date It also provides upgradation services for transmission line and substation.

7. Solar products: Offers solar products such as solar water pumps, lanterns, lighting systems and solar e-vehicles.

EQ: What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities, growth chart, future expansion plans, revenues, shipments, ASP’s, financial figures?

CS: Manufacturing Capability: CELL MANUFACTURING CAPACITY

750MW

Module Manufacturing Capacity

1250MW

Future Expansion Plans:

3. Newer technologies like HJT (Heterojunction) will have small market share at present due to complicated construction and process leads to high cost. However in near future it is expected to have increase in market share due to its high efficiency.

And we are planning to put up another 1.1GW of cell line this year. Our target is to ramp up 1GW of cell & Module line every year to achieve 3GW cell & Module line capacity.

4. Indian market requires reliable & low cost technology, where PERC seems to be most suitable choice in coming years.

More than 1.5GW of modules has been supplied till date in India.

5. Since wafer size and technology is dynamically changing, newer technology like HJT can be adopted in the future.

EQ: What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future?

6. It’s too early for Indian market to comment on possibility of mass scale demand for large format modules. World is exploring on upcoming challenges of logistic & MMS for the larger format modules and will get know on when it becomes available in India.

CS: In Past we have been focusing on OEMs market. Currently we are dealing with large EPC & IPP customers and in future we will be focusing on exports as well.

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Shipment:

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interview

Mr. Bharat Bhut

Cofounder & Director Goldi Solar

EQ: Proposed BCD on Module/Cells Import in India…What are your views on this.

BB: Introduction of BCD will encourage investment in the solar manufacturing sector and facilitate creation of at least 10GW of module capacity and about 5 to 10 GW of cell capacity additionally in the coming 2 to 3 years. These investments will ensure creation of at least 20000 new jobs directly and indirectly. The new BCDs should at least last for 5 years as the technology of solar we have seen in the past rapidly shifts/changed i.e. on an avg. every 4 to 5 years basis. However the Major Raw material cost are still in control of Chinese. Until unless we are not manufacturing the raw materials in India the price pressure will persist.

Indian manufacturers should take this opportunity of trade to improve their manufacturing capability not only for solar modules and cells, but we should also focus on other Raw materials such as Wafers , back sheet, glass, junction boxes and aluminum frames which are predominantly imported by the manufacturers as part of their supply chain requirements. Overall, BCD is a step in the right direction towards boosting domestic manufacturing and reaching the nation’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

EQ: Please share your Product Road Maps – Pricing, Technology etc.

BB: As per the changing market scenario, we will start with higher power range of modules with 166mm and 182mm cells.

And later on, we will upgrade to 210 mm cells, which is the one of the largest and the latest technology. Very few companies in the world have this. We will also be introducing the micro-gap technology to increase the efficiency. We will introduce a range of products from bi-facial, black, glass-to-glass etc.

EQ: World Market Scenario and its impact on pricing and availability of modules in this year. Expected Pricing & Availability in this year and next year?

BB: Owing to the pandemic, the solar supply chain has now been disrupted heavily. The pandemic has opened up a host of issues including increase in shipping costs, almost five times increase in freight charges, multifold increase in raw material prices etc.

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Not only are the polysilicon cells and wafers in short supply, but there is a rise in cost of the total Bill of Materials – EVA, aluminum, backsheet, ribbon etc. This issue has been further aggravated by shortage of raw materials worldwide. Manpower shortage at the raw materials makers’ end has led to a shortage of production. The solar industry is mainly dependent on Chinese supplies – nearly 90% of solar raw materials come from China. Bilateral relations between China and the world have also had a cascading effect on the overall costing of solar panels.

EQ: What is the likely price trend, availability trend of solar modules in upcoming quarters?

BB: 2021 is going to be a year of uncertainty. Expect price fluctuations across the world. Apart from China, all other countries will face some challenges with respect to pricing and availability. We can expect some stability from the third quarter of 2021 or from 2022. Prices can be pegged at INR 21-22/Wp for Mono-PERC modules, and above Rs. 21/Wp for Polycrystalline modules and may rise depending on the market scenario.

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your modules in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback BB: Quality Product meets Quality People at Goldi Solar, making it one of the most quality-conscious brands in the solar module manufacturing industry since our inception.

We ensure optimal output backed by a series of quality check measures. Every panel manufactured in our premises undergoes a series of tests to check its efficiency and output capacity in different geographical areas, and most importantly under different climatic conditions. Goldi Solar has a history of exceptional power generation and strong performance of modules of various locations. Performance is usually higher than promised and all modules come with a positive tolerance. There have been no complaints so far with regards to quality.

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interview EQ: Present some noteworthy projects, case studies of solar plants built using your solar Modules.

BB: Another fine example is a 9 MW project for Maruti Enterprises in Surendranagar, Gujarat that features solar panels from six companies including Tier-1 international and national manufactures. Goldi is leading amongst the Tier-1 Indian companies. Our 1.5 MW plant with Goldi modules have recorded the highest output amongst all the Indian brands present.

EQ: What are the new technology innovations in Solar Modules, logistical aspects usage of larger format modules?

BB: Solar companies have been racing towards building high-efficiency modules. Manufacturers have been increasing cell sizes, reducing the gaps between cells, and increasing the module sizes to achieve better outputs. The industry is now seeing higher range of modules, as high as 600Wp. This innovation has led to doubling of power generation in the same or slightly larger space. Logistical aspects are taken care of while designing these modules.

Designs such as 800 Wp of 2.5-meter length is unviable and cannot be transported. 182 cell modules are a more ideal choice when it comes to transportation.

EQ: Kindly comment on policies and regulatory aspects like BCD, BIS, ALMM etc.

BB: The other issue at hand is that SGD (safeguard duty) ends in July 2021, and BCD will be implemented only next year. This time period leaves the solar developers a window of opportunity to import modules from outside India, resulting in a huge blow to domestic solar manufacturers.

Also important is the announcement of anti-dumping duty application on units in SEZs (Special Economic Zone).

Earlier, SEZ’s supplied domestically without any implications of the saved duties resulting in almost a one-rupee gap in the cost of 1 unit. While there is still no clarity, manufacturers operating in DTU (Domestic Tariff Unit) are hopeful that they will no longer have to deal with price disparity owing to concessions. Government bodies should invite industry players in the BIS committee, and take into account the industry stand. BIS is a necessity, but should cater to both customer and manufacturers’ demands.

Currently, there are many loopholes in the implementation of BIS, creating hurdles, administrative clashes and negatively impacting the manufacturing industry. As for ALMM (Approved Lists of Models and Manufacturers) – it is a good initiative. The government needs to be firm and should ensure smooth, swift execution.

EQ: What are your plans to ramp up or set up or grow your manufacturing base in India in light of the Proposed BCD? BB: Currently we have 500 MW production capacity. We plan to set up 5 GW in next four years, out of which the setting up of 2 GW has been commissioned for August 2021. We plan to foray into solar cell manufacturing as well. Within a year, we will have a 600 MW cell manufacturing line. We are also tying up with raw material manufacturers and developing a whole ecosystem in South Gujarat.

EQ: Please describe in brief about your company, directors, promoters, investors, its vision & mission BB: Goldi Solar is one of the leading Tier-1 Indian solar panel manufacturers, EPC services provider and independent power producer (IPP). Founded in 2011, it is headquartered in Surat, Gujarat. The company was born

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with the vision of harnessing an abundant power source to produce sustainable energy. This was also expected to further develop skills, as well as meet the energy requirements of a burgeoning Indian population. A leading OEM supplier catering to several international brands in 20+ countries like USA, UAE, Turkey, Myanmar, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, Denmark and Croatia we deliver high-end quality at a competitive price. Today, as we continue to explore global export opportunities, strengthen our production, technological and marketing capabilities, we intend to further consolidate our leadership position in the Indian solar industry. Our vision is to Transform Tomorrow’s Energy and bring about wide acceptance of green energy in India. Our mission is to provide clean energy solutions to the world and protect Mother Earth. Ishver Dholakiya is the Managing Director and Founder of Goldi Solar.

A successful serial entrepreneur, Ishver was always passionate about the environment and was looking to make a lasting, positive impact on future generations. He brought to solar precision, quality and perseverance from his 14 years of exposure in the diamond industry. Bharat Bhut is the Director & Founder of Goldi Solar. He provides the strategic direction for growth and is responsible for all operations. He spearheads all the expansion and technology tie-ups efforts. Bhut has helped increase revenue, margin and customer satisfaction levels, owing to his razor-sharp focus on team building, strategy execution and client relationships.

EQ: What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities, growth chart, future expansion plans, revenues, shipments, ASP’s, financial figures etc.

BB: Goldi Solar is one of the oldest players in the country with more than 10 years of experience in the manufacturing. Right from its inception, Goldi’s growth has never stopped. We started with 10 MW and we now have a 500 MW manufacturing capacity. We are installing another 2 GW line soon. We are the one of the few players in India who can manage and run gigawatt-scale manufacturing successfully. Goldi Solar has the vision, strength and expertise, backed by a legacy of decades of manufacturing not just in solar, but other industries as a group company. We have a strong team of professionals and have setup an excellent sales and business network globally. The company is growing at an annual growth rate of 80% CAGR. EQ: How much is your R&D budget as % of your sales / profits?

BB: We have a dedicated R&D lab for process development and have been innovating to offer better products to our customers. For example, we have brought down the frame size from 50 mm to 35 mm with the same efficiency, making the panels easier to transport and move more panels in one truck. We have special gap system and are developing products that will help reduce the shadow effect. We are developing a full-fledged solar lab and we will accredit it through NABL. EQ: What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future?

BB: Our top 5 markets globally are India, Europe, USA, Latin America & Canada. In India, we are focused on various regions like North, West and South.

EQ: Explain various guarantees, warrantees, insurance, certifications, test results, performance report of your modules.

BB: Our modules have undergone all stringent quality tests at reputed third-party laboratories, along with being certified for PID resistance. Besides, we are one of the few companies globally to have 4mm glass certification. Our modules are also marked for “CE” certification and also tested at ERTL and UL laboratory as per STQC/MNRE standards for projects initiated under the policy of Government of India. We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified. We cater to international business requirements, and have met all the standard quality criteria in all major countries.

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interview

Mr. Jianfei Li

Vice President/CTO Sineng Electric

EQ: How much inverters have you supplied to India till now, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year?

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your Inverters in India in various geographic locations?

JL: We have supplied more than 3GW inverters as of 2021.

Though 2020 was a bit slower than the predictions made by industry specialists due to the pandemic, but Sineng is expecting a large pipeline of projects to spur the return to growth. We have shipped over 500MW inverters in the first quarter of 2021 and more than 1 GW projects contract have been signed.

JL: Sineng has served all-round the solar industry by associating with almost all major key players in the market namely Softbank, Spring, Mahindra, ACME, Renew, AZURE, AVAADA, ADANI, L&T, ENRICH etc. We have a total of 3 GW+ supply record in India. Clients has adopted Sineng 1500V outdoor central inverter solutions in all geographic location such as Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Punjab etc.

EQ: What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities and future expansion plans?

EQ: Please share your Road Maps – Pricing, Technology etc…

JL: Constant innovation and optimization at product level is the only way to exist in the present competitive environment.

Market has seen some stability in solar tariffs. We are expecting the same in inverter price. At the moment, the prices have reached to a level where if further drop happens it will be a threat for the industry. However, we are committed to bring out the solutions which can optimize the project cost for the customers. In recent years, we have seen that market moved from small block size to 6.5/12.5MW block size and 1000V to 1500V. Presently, our R&D team is working on higher voltage solution than 1500V for the future. Storage is also going to happen at big scale in near future. We have been providing DC/AC coupled PCS and integrated solutions in China and Korea market. Sineng is one of the few companies who manufactures both central and string inverters. Our string inverter technology is already mature and have been extensively adopted by Chinese customers. We have started to promote it worldwide. Expectedly, our string inverter has been able to turn customer’s attention and that’s why, we are going to set up production lines for string inverter by the Q3, 2021 in India manufacturing base. In 2020, we have added a new string model (SP-275K-INH) in our string inverter product line which gives an ease to design array with larger wafer 210 mm high power module. The maximum current for each string input of this inverter is 20A.On the other side, Sineng is also working to come up with higher capacity compact central inverter solutions in near future.

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JL: Sineng Electric was founded in March, 2012; and acquired fortune 500 listed company Emerson’s PV business in 2014. We have inherited the entire R&D, production, service and management personnel from Emerson which helped us become one of the top five inverter manufacturer in a short time. By virtue of cutting edge high-quality products, better performance and competitive price, Sineng Electric has achieved the recognition of capital market in last successive years. Consequently, it has been listed as a public company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) in April, 2020. At present, the annual production capacity of China manufacturing base is 12GW and India manufacturing base is 3GW. To meet exponentially increased demand due to the vigorous development of the global PV market, we will increase the production capacity of China and India manufacturing base to 20GW and 10 GW in Q3 of 2021, respectively. At the same time, Sineng Electric will continuously expand the international market and beef up its core business in coming years. As a part of the expansion plan, Spain branch for Europe market and Dubai branch for MNEA market will start its full operation in May, 2021 to better serve the customers in the respected areas in terms of spare parts and after-sales services along with collaboration, cooperation and communication etc.

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interview EQ: What are your views on inverters – Make in India?

JL: Sineng realized the future potential of Indian solar market at the earliest. In Bangalore, our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is one of the implementations of that realization. At the moment, it spreads across 38082 square feet area and can produce 3 GW inverters annually. We were, and are very passionate to contribute to the “Make in India” and bring success to the goal.

EQ: What are the opportunities and challenges in manufacturing in India?

JL: Investing in domestic manufacturing reflects the company’s stable and long term plans. With the increasing market share, it was a natural choice to set up a localized factory in India. And, it has been helping us with production planning and forecasting efficiently which, in return, help us reduce the lead time. Thus, we are able to serve our clients timely. We acknowledge that there were many challenges we had faced in the beginning.

Skilled manpower was the crucial challenge. To overcome this, we regularly organized internal training and skill competition program. It not only helped our employees to accomplish the company goal, but also achieve their career prospects. Now, we confident that we can provide our clients with localized quality product in time. The other challenge is sourcing of the components. The supply chain of power electronics components has been evolving in India and is still in its infancy stage. Currently, we are using local components which meet quality requirements. Hopefully, we could increase the local sourcing quantity in the near future.

EQ: What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future?

JL: Prior to discussing Sineng’s focus market, it is worth first mentioning the state of the play of current and forthcoming market. The Asia Pacific region saw significant growth in its contribution to renewable energy (RNEs), thanks in no small part of China, India and Vietnam’s meteoric rise. Asia Pacific (APAC), led by China, is predicted by IHS and other data powerhouses to remain the largest regional market of PV installation in the future. The “Rest of APAC” region -Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and others is being driven by strong growth in utility-scale (>5 MW) installations.

Therefore, the company focus on already owned large market share APAC regions like-China, India and Vietnam will remain same, on the other hand, it has extended its focus on other regions like Middle East and Europe.

EQ: Kindly comment of Energy Storage as a game changer, its technology, cost trends…etc.

JL: There is great potential in the storage segment and that is why so many inverter players have entered this field. Storage options have now been applied to many different scenarios including ground-mounted PV stations, C&I projects and rooftop residential PV. For large-scale PV stations, storage can help shave peaks and improve power quality.

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For C&I projects, it can improve off-grid utilization.

Storage technologies will allow for more reliable and flexible operation of the electricity distribution and transmission grids, enhancing electric power quality and making renewable energy user-friendly. The prices of lithium-ion batteries have fallen from $1,000 /kWh in the year 2010 to approx. $209/kWh in 2020. Bloomberg projections state that prices are set to decline to $100/ kWh by 2025 and $75/kWh by 2030. So, there is still lots of potential and we expect the market to boom in the next few years. We saw the turning point coming last year and we know it’s just the beginning. Sineng has been offering its DC/AC coupled energy storage solution with various rating PCS. Our energy storage solutions have extensively been adopted in various place in China and Korea etc.

EQ: Kindly highlight your product, technology and distinctive advantages etc.

JL: Sineng is a technology driven company and therefore we strive to bring innovative solutions that can offer more competitive advantages in the form of more generation and BOS saving. Sineng have a wide range of central inverters, string inverter and energy storage solutions. Sineng product portfolio have below mentioned solutions for India market: 1. 1500V 3125/2500 kW Central Inverter- Higher DC/AC ratio; Grid friendly; Low BOS cost.

2. 1500V 250kW/275kW String Inverter- 20A/Input which suitably adopt 210mm wafer; 12 MPPT, high yield; Smart O&M; Cost effective.

3. 1500V 2.5~3.465MW PCS and integrated solution- Highly integrated; Smart and friendly; Efficient and flexible.

EQ: Please describe in brief about your company’s vision & mission?

JL: Sineng lives by its motto of ‘Endless Energy for Limitless Green,’ to make the world a better place to live in by reducing the globe’s greenhouse emissions! Sineng Electric is a leading global high-tech enterprise specialized in renewables and has been pioneering inverter market with enormous amount of worldwide installed inverters. Being a “one stop solution provider” for solar inverters and energy storage, we have a broad product portfolio to meet the diversified needs of customers for residential, C&I and utility -scale applications. To ensure state-of-the-art technology and reliable products, the company possesses in-house testing center and a dynamic R&D team. As a product-focused company, Sineng always looks at its offerings and there is a zeal in us to make products and service betters. Sineng has been and will be holding on its mission “high quality is low cost” and thus will cope up with the evolving market.

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interview

Mr. J.S. Bhatia

Head (Solar business) BVG Clean Energy Limited

EQ: What are the BVG key strengths in Solar EPC Business?

EQ: What are the company’s future plans?

JSB: Our main USP is ‘Trust’ as we have delivered the projects with highest standards for HSE and quality in time to our clients.

Our core strength is group diversification of business verticals, a pan-India presence, manpower and a company with strong financials, that provide us a competitive edge over others and make us pro-actively handle local liasoning and address bottlenecks.

This makes BVG team deliver the projects within time and with quality. BVG Clean Energy has successfully completed a 110 MWp clean energy project at Tirunavelli, Tamilnadu for NLC India Ltd in the shortest possible duration. This project was inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister and was dedicated to the nation. BVG has executed more than 200 MW+ of EPC projects.

Further 600 MW+ projects are in pipeline and more than 1 GW of EPC projects are under discussion with leading developers. We are executing a 200 MW solar-wind hybrid EPC project in SouthEast Asia and a 30 MW project EPC in Africa under IPP mode.

We have planned to expand our team to execute minimum 1 GW EPC in FY21-22.

JSB: With the government focusing on local manufacturing of solar power equipment as part of its strategy to make an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Indian solar equipment manufacturers need to scale up capacities to meet demand of solar modules in India. Thus, BVG clean is also planning to go for manufacturing of cell and modules with latest technologies like mono PERC, half-cut, bifacial etc. We will have a production line of minimum 500 MW+ and will scale it up to 1 to 1.5 GW according to the future demand. BVG will use multi-busbar technology, adopt the 210 mm silicon wafer, non-destructive cutting and high-density interconnect technologies which together allow us to exceed 500 W+ power output and more than 21 per cent module efficiency. Apart from above businesses, BVG is also thinking of foraying into segments like li-ion cell and battery manufacturing, energy storage solutions for solar plants and automobile industry as well as organic waste to good quality manure and CNG.

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interview

Mr. Darshan N Shah President – Sales & Marketing Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Pvt Ltd

EQ: Please share the brief about your company – Hitachi HiRel Power Electronics Private Limited.

DNS: Founded & established in 1983 as Hi-Rel Electronics Pvt. Ltd., which later on in year 2015 had become the 100% subsidiary company of Hitachi, Japan which is one of the Global fortune 500 companies with a new name as Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Private Limited, which is being recognized as one of the pioneers in power electronics domain. Hitachi Hi-Rel, today, is a leading manufacturer of. industrial UPS, IT & Infra UPS, medium & low voltage variable frequency drives, grid tied solar inverters, air compressors and railway inverters. Hitachi Hi-Rel has state-of-the art manufacturing facility at Sanand near Ahmedabad in Gujarat-India. Hitachi Hi-Rel is helping a wide array of industries and organizations to meet the mission critical demands through technologically superior, low polluting and innovative products Solutions and continue to offer world class power electronics products, value added services & customized solutions. With a vision of “To be recognized as the most trusted Power Electronics Company by supplying superior products and services”, Hitachi Hi-Rel has garnered a significant

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level of trust in Indian power electronics market segment wherein it serves the entire gamut of Industries, particularly in mission critical applications for Refineries, PetroChemicals, Power Generation, Steel & Metals, and Process Industries as well as Critical Data Processing Applications.

Besides offering greater energy efficiency & lower carbon footprint, each of the company product streams bears the hallmark of excellence with company accreditations.

Hitachi Hi-Rel is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2008 certified company having export house status. Hitachi Hi-Rel sales network & service infrastructure expands out to the world & with this network, we have made strong inroad in Global markets like South East Asia, Middle East, Africa and Brazil. Also, with a presence of strategically located skilled service engineers in India helps us to score high in terms of customer expectations on service deliverables & uptime of the product. Coming to the Solar Inverters, Hitachi Hi-Rel grid tied solar inverters are based on the contemporary technology of Hitachi Ltd, Japan. Currently Hitachi branded Solar Inverters are generating more than 5.5 GW renewable power in Global Solar Domain as

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interview well as more than 3 GW+ renewable power in Indian Solar Domain. With expertise, experience and an efficient product line, Hitachi Hi-Rel will always try to be your power electronics partner. When you choose to do business with Hitachi Hi-Rel, you are partnering with a company who cares.

EQ: How much Inverters have you supplied to India till now, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year?

DNS: Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics started solar inverter business in 2012 here in India and has supplied & installed more than 3 GW grid tied central and string solar inverters in India. Through our social innovation business, we have been actively participating in providing renewable energy solutions through our highly advanced and Efficient Solar Inverters to esteemed set of customers which includes Power Generation companies, Developers & EPCs like NTPC, Adani, BHEL, Tata Power, KEC International and many more. We are targeting to leverage our existing installation base by almost 50% to 4.5 GW (from existing level of 3 GW) in the span of next 2 years EQ: What are your views on Inverters – Make in India?

DNS: As of now, we as country are definitely not self-sufficient to cater to our ambitious plans of capacity additions under National Solar Mission & other initiatives by central & state governments in the solar sphere, in terms of major equipment supplies including the Solar Inverters. Major raw materials like semiconductors & few others, which are being extensively employed in Manufacturing of Inverters, are still being sourced from other countries in Asia, Europe or America. We do not have any indigenous supplier for these products even now. This is despite of Government’s aggressive approach to facilitate conducive environment for investments to develop a modern and efficient infrastructure under Make in India Drive. Hence, to have the cost viability of the Solar projects which are to be announced/ implemented, it would still be highly imperative that these raw materials are allowed to be sourced from the respective country of origin with minimal imported duties & same may continue, till we develop sufficient manufacturing capacity in India. On the other side, the step pertaining to increase in the Basic Custom Duties on finished goods i.e. the Complete Solar Inverter, is definitely a welcome move & well appreciated by indigenous manufacturers like us as it really makes them competitive against the heavy influx of the imported inverters.

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your Inverters in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback.

DNS: The solar inverter is a key and an important component of the photovoltaic (PV) systems that changes the direct power (DC) from the PV array to alternating power (AC) used in the electrical grid may be an autonomous or grid connected. It really affects the inclusive performance of the PV system. The solar inverter does not only convert the DC power into AC power but it also regulates the PV system so that the maximum power is being obtained from the whole system. The Performance of our Solar Inverters has been well appreciated by our customers/ users both in terms of product performance & Reliability. With 3 level IGBT technology, suitability to operate at higher ambient temperature and wider MPPT range, Hitachi Solar Inverters are delivering considerably high Output in terms of intended power generation & also consolidates immensely the reliability of plant operation. Hitachi Solar Inverters are among the most popular Grid Tied Solar Inverters currently in India also in terms of facilitating the major saving in the area of EBOP (Electrical Balance of Plant).

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Hitachi Hi-Rel has been consistently maintaining uptime of around 99% for all our Solar Inverter Installations. We also offer highly reliable after-sales-service-support from our dedicated & decentralized service centres located at strategic locations across the country. With regards to the Geographical bifurcation of our installation base, we have 40% of our installation base in Southern part, 30% in Northern part, 20% in Western part & approx. 10% in Eastern Part of the country, With respect to the customer feedback, there are plentiful positive responses and standpoints from the well-known and renowned power generating companies, Solar developers & EPCs of India for the Hitachi solar inverters supplied to them by Hitachi Hi-Rel. Few of the key feedbacks received are, Hitachi solar inverters are really running successfully and satisfactorily in all weather conditions, These inverters are user friendly, highly efficient & easy to maintain, many customer provided their accolades in terms of they being fully satisfied with the prompt service support from Hitachi service team & inverters meeting the guaranteed uptime as assured since commissioning,. Today Hitachi Hi-Rel is being viewed as one of the most trustworthy partners for Solar Inverter Solutions.

EQ: What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities, growth chart, future expansion plans, revenues, shipments, ASP’s, financial figures?

DNS: Hitachi Hi-Rel, India, is a key hub, for both “Manufacturing” as well as “Research & Development”, within the power electronics division of Hitachi Group and we try to leverage it to drive Innovation and Growth. Sprawling across an area of 26,000 square meters and modelled on Hitachi’s Omika Works in Japan, our Sanand manufacturing facility is one of the most modern and state-of-the-art power electronics manufacturing facilities in India. All aspects of manufacturing, testing and quality assurance are overseen by highly experienced & trained individuals..

It also employs Omika Works based software tools for engineering and manufacturing and has one of the most advanced in-house product testing facilities in the country.

We manufacture grid tied solar inverters locally in India at this Sanand manufacturing facility, based on the contemporary technology of Hitachi Ltd, Japan. For -Inverters, presently, the estimated manufacturing capacity is approx.

2.5 GW/Annum considering the continuous operation of the plant. Innovation through research & development has been rooted in Hi-Rel DNA since 1984. Hitachi Hi-Rel has an in-house R&D (Research & Development) facility, set up in 1984, which is recognized by DSIR (Department of Scientific & Industrial Research), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India enabling development of valuable new products. This has enabled company to develop and market products that have become industry standards.

Hitachi Hi-Rel also has an additional facility at Gandhinagar near Ahmedabad in Gujarat which is sprawled across an area of 10,000 Sq. Meter. We are strategically targeting to leverage our market share in almost all the product groups with increased emphasis on Solar segment in view of very conducive government polices & aggressive plans to add capacity under renewable energy sphere, On, short term & long term basis, we are looking at sustainable business growth in all the product segments.

EQ: Briefly describe the various technologies and its suitable applications such as Central Inverter, String, Micro Inverter, 1500V, Outdoor, Container solutions etc.

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interview DNS: HIVERTER NP-215L Series 2.5 MW Solar Central Outdoor Inverter for 1500 VDC PV System...

As a part of continues technical advancement, Hitachi HiRel has developed most advanced & next generation 2.5 MW Solar Central Outdoor Inverter that is suitable for 1500 V DC Solar PV system. This inverter has been thoughtfully designed keeping all the critical parameters and challenges faced by project developers in terms of ease of installations, better grid compliance & most importantly CAPEX Vs. YIELD factor.

Highlights

• Rated Power 2500kW @ 50 Degree Centigrade , 2700V@ 25 Degree Centigrade.

• 3 level PWM technology to achieve maximum effi-

It is available from 250 KW to 2.86 MW capacities.

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connection

• Totally Outdoor Unit – saving on civil construction, hassle free Installation

Benefits

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25 Years reliable service life span

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High power density 400kVA/m2

Low auxiliary power consumption due to variable fan speed as per power feeding

MW Scale: 1 MW, 1.25 MW, 1.34 MW, 1.43 MW, 2.5 MW, 2.68 MW, 2.86 MW

Hitachi Solar Inverters offer maximum ROI (return on investment) over the lifetime of the plant. With proper maintenance and parts replacement on schedule, it has an operating life up to 25 years.

Highlights

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World class quality & High performance – reliable & efficient product

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3 Level PWM Inverter technology resulting in reduction of losses, low harmonic output current (< 3%) & improved efficiency

• • • •

Low current harmonic distortion

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Rated power @ 0.95 pt at 50°C

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Flexible output AC voltage suitable for retrofitting jobs

ciency 99.0%

• Single MPPT having voltage range 950V – 1300V • Efficient Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) • Latest LVRT / FRT • High DC overloading up to 200%’ • BUSDUCT / CABLE CONNECTION OPTION for AC

kW Scale: 250 kW, 500 kW, 630 kW, 670 kW, 715 kW

Reactive power control (night time Lowest auxiliary consumption Suitable for handling DC overloading capacity up to 140% Widest MPPT range Provision of air circuit breaker at o/p at each MW scale inverter Up to 2.86MW containerized solution

Easy to install and maintain Efficient reactive power feeding with ANPC technology

HIVERTER Si Series Grid Tied String Solar Inverters

HIVERTER NP201i Series Grid Tied Central Solar Inverter Hitachi’s HIVERTER NP 201i Model Solar Inverter is among the best available Grid Tied Solar Central Inverters that is suitable for multi-megawatt and utility-scale PV power plants. It is a critical balance of system (BOS) component in a solar photovoltaic system. With 3 level IGBT technology and wider MPPT range, Hitachi Solar Inverter delivers considerably maximum power generation.

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Hitachi, with more than 100 years of legacy worldwide and with over 3 GW installation base of PV Central Solar Inverters in India, offers you the PV STRING INVERTER with latest, efficient & flexible design to maximize the energy yield for large commercial & utility solar projects. With highly efficient conversion technology, this HIVERTER Si Series PV String Solar Inverter is available from 4.4 kW to 70 kW range with 3 Phase output and 1.1 kW to 6 kW range with 1 Phase output.

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interview Highlights

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Best suitable for heavy industries and large commercial establishments in India

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Wide range of 1.1 kW to 136 kW , 1000V Inverters offers more flexibility as per project design

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Real time precise MPPT algorithm to ensure highest efficiency up to 98.6%

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Intelligent grid management features first of its kind IV curve diagnostics feature

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A robust IP65 enclosure allowing hassle free outdoor installations

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Low maintenance cost

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Wide DC input range from 250 V to 950 V

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MPPT accuracy is up to 99.9 %, max euro efficiency 98.4 %

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Wide ambient temp range -25°C to 60°C

Safety assured through its anti-islanding, RCMU, ground fault monitoring Highest AC output range +/- 25% Up to 3 Independent MPPT to ensure optimal energy harvest

IP 65 protection for Indoor & outdoor application

String Inverter Technology

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Intelligent Power Management Built-In Protection Functions Humanized Functions Remote monitoring and operation IV curve tracking

We also offer Hitachi PV Power Station which is an advanced containerized solution for large-scale and commercial PV (photovoltaic) power plants, which contains Solar Inverters and optional equipment’s for auxiliaries, serves to protect electric equipment’s from environmental influence. It has been developed to fulfil the objective of faster commissioning, helps developers/EPC to significantly reduce the planning and execution time of the PV project. To ensure long lifetime in the most challenging Indian environmental condition, Hitachi PV Power Station is designed & developed with highest structural stability which is water proof, weather resistant, termite proof and easy to install. It achieves an excellent performance with IP protection class mechanism design. Its design life is up to 25 years.

EQ: Kindly highlight your product, technology & company USP’s, distinctive advantages etc…

DNS: Hitachi Hi-Rel’s UPS and power conditioning backup systems, the flagship product, works as an exceptional safeguard against power disruption and reflects the industry’s ultimate in advanced technology with proven track record in mission critical applications. Its variable frequency drives represent the most energy efficient means of process control and reflect the best in process control. Its grid tied solar inverters are based on the contemporary technology of Hitachi Ltd, Japan and currently generating more than 3 GW renewable power in Indian Solar Domain. It is contributing to new value creation in India by manufacturing an array of highly efficient and cutting edge power electronics products which are helping India meet the present and future Information Technology and Operational Technology requirements. The cutting-edge products of Hitachi Hi-Rel conform to and promote essential criteria of availability, affordability, reliability and quality of electricity supply, which are fundamental pillars of ‘Power for All’ program objectives. Being a part of every small yet significant transformation, Hitachi Hi-Rel is at the forefront of Social innovation in India’s power sector and helps bring-in the nation’s dream of clean and green power to realization.

Inbuilt memory option available to track lifetime data of system.

HITACHI PV POWER STATION

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interview

Mr. D.V. Manjunatha

Founder & Managing Director EMMVEE

EQ: Proposed BCD on Module/Cells Import in India. What are your views on this?

EQ: Please share your Product Road Maps – Pricing, Technology etc.

DVM: India has a huge capability to manufacture solar Photovoltaic modules and cells. A company like Emmvee which has been into solar manufacturing since 1992 has acquired enormous experience and knowledge to produce world-class products and supply them to the global markets. Our eastern counterpart has enjoyed a lot of benefits in terms of supply chain and other incentives leading to a number of cases relating to the dumping of solar PV modules. The announcement to impose a basic customs duty of at least 40% on solar imports is an extremely important development providing great relief to the Indian solar manufacturers especially with the existing safeguards duty ending this July. It will also act as a booster to expand our manufacturing capabilities as well as backward integrate into cell, ingot, and Polysilicon manufacturing. While the basic customs duty will come into effect only from April 2022, there is no clarity on whether the existing safeguards duty will continue till that date or there will be no duty on solar PV modules till then. It is extremely important that the existing safeguards duty is continued until basic custom duty comes into effect. This will help the local manufacturers to sustain and concentrate on expanding their module capacity as well as backward integration to compete in the global market.

DVM: Emmvee, since its inception in 1992 has been a pioneer in manufacturing solar water heating systems and with solar photovoltaic modules from 2006. We have always strived to develop innovative solutions and have always been the first movers in the industry to adopt new technological advancements. We are the first company to set up a fully automated PV module manufacturing facility and the only company to use a multi-stack Burkle laminator from Germany. Also, we are the first Indian company to introduce a fully automated tabber stringer for PV module manufacturing.

Emmvee is planning to expand its PV module manufacturing capacity to 1.5 GW from 500 MW by the end of 2022 at its existing Dobaspet facility in Bengaluru. We are also planning to expand into cell manufacturing by as early as 2023. All our production facilities will be capable of completely manufacture and handle the new technology of PV modules of up to 650 Watt peak and cells of up to 220 mm. This line will be capable to produce glass to glass, glass to back sheet, half cut cell, and one-third cut cell modules. This state-of-the-art facility will also have a world-class laboratory to ensure all our materials used in the manufacturing PV modules are of this most superior quality and standards to achieve the highest production results.

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interview EQ: World Market Scenario and its impact on pricing and availability of modules in this year ,A Expected Pricing & Availability in this year and next year?

DVM: The solar PV module industry has also been a victim of the on-going pandemic like any other industry. This has resulted in an unprecedented increase in prices over the last year which has never been witnessed before. Apart from some shortage of supplies, there seems to be no proper evidence to show the exact reason for the increase in prices.

In the current financial year as well a similar price trend is continuing and I’m not yet able to see any downward trend in the price of raw materials especially solar cells. All though some materials have had a price correction compared to last year where one of the key material solar glass prices had increased substantially and now there has to seem to be a decrease in that price, but other materials remain to be going on an upward trend. Apart from increasing prices, we have seen good demand in the coming months. Developers throughout the industry are aggressively building for projects and the same is passed on to the supply chain. Also, the incoming basic custom duty and the implementation of ALMM from October are all showing positive expectations for companies across the solar manufacturing industry.

EQ: How much modules have you supplied to India till now, what is the target/expectation in this year and next year?

DVM: Emmvee has a strong history of being one of the most reliable PV module manufacturers in the solar industry. Since 2006 we have supplied more than 2 GW of solar PV modules globally. Emmvee has a strong presence not only in India but also in international markets such as Western Europe, Africa, Middle East, and North America. With our expansion plans to increase PV module manufacturing capacity to over 1.5 GW by the end of 2022, we are expecting to supply over 5 GW of solar PV modules by the end of 2023.

EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your modules in India in various geographic locations, customer feedback.

DVM: Emmvee has a strong record of commissioning more than 200 MW of solar projects and has manufactured and supplied more than 2GW of solar modules in India and across the world. It has developed rich expertise in executing solar photovoltaic roof top projects, large scale solar photovoltaic power projects, land to PPA (Power Purchase Agreement), EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) projects, O&M (Operation & Maintenance) of large projects and OEM and retail sale of solar PV modules for DCR & Non-DCR requirements. Emmvee over the years has built a strong brand legacy of providing world-class quality products across the world. Emmvee right from its inception has focused on make in India ideology and has a proven record of supplying and installing world-class quality products across the world including countries such as Germany, France, UK, Yemen, South Africa, and Canada Etc. EQ: What are the new technology innovations in Solar Modules, Logistical aspects usage of larger format modules?

DVM: Now over to 650 WP, Solar industry has taken large strides. Initially, it started off as just a paradigm shift from Poly Silicon cells to Mono Silicon cells, whereas it has now become much more than that with the introduction of PERC technology, half cut, bifacial with double glass and with transparent backsheet.

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It is also not wrong to note that all these changes have happened just in over a couple of years. Emmvee has adapted to these changes quickly, we have introduced our half cut and bifacial modules in 2018, as one of the first entrants in India.

Although most of these techno logical advancements involve huge capital expenditure in PV module production, but heavy has not side away from adapting to these change including in these times of pandemic and uncertainties, Emmvee is expanding its capacity to adapt to this new technological innovations of state of the art facility to produce this hi a fish and see modules including using larger format cells. Emmvee to launch modules with over 600 Watt peak power rating in the coming year.ALMM and BCD have certainly been graciously welcomed in the industry along with PLI. These policies have been some of the driving factors for module manufacturers to focus on capacity enhancements and backward integrations.

In the meantime main focus at the moment is to make sure there is an interim duty of at least 14.5% to ensure sustainability of the module manufacturers. Also, a long term policy framework is required from the Government .The government should concentrate on building strong integrated solar industrial clusters along with a clear policy framework for solar manufactures to prosper in India. We need a clear policy framework from the government ensuring substantial solar cell and module production demand in the next few years for Indian solar manufactures. Technological advancement and innovation is the key to truly achieve Atma Nirbhar Bharat in the solar manufacturing sector. It will also lower the dependence on imports eventually leading the way for an increased demand for local solar manufacturers. To achieve this goal, the government should build integrated solar industrial clusters in India and create a specialized infrastructure covering the entire value chain from R & D, testing, training centre, and other required supporting services. By creating a value chain at a single location within the country will not only help India to compete with China at the domestic level but also in the international market. It will also reduce the reliability of duties/ tariffs imposed by the Indian government EQ: Please describe in brief about your company, directors, promoters, investors, its vision & mission.

DVM: Started with an idea to bring clean and sustainable hot water to households in Bengaluru, our company has strong values and belief in the renewable sector. Our organisation and every one of our employee strives to make our vision of making every individual energy independent a reality. All our stakeholders strongly work towards the same vision and mission with enormous prior experience in the renewable sector as well as in the corporate world to achieve our goals successfully EQ: What are the top 5 markets for your company in the past, present and future?

DVM: With a strong brand name reflecting our values of trust and quality markets across the globe accept our products showing strong customer loyalty. We take pride in repetitive customers who prefer our products and trust our quality aspects. With strong roots in India aligning to the Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Make In India campaigns we are strongly keeping ourselves as one of the largest module manufacturers and suppliers in the country. Apart of hour home turf we have had great response for our products in the American, European, African and Middle Eastern mark.

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interview

Mr. Manish Dabkara

MD & CEO, EnKing International EQ: Tell us about your journey in the industry of climate change and renewable energy.

MD: I’ll start with telling about our organization which I started in 2008-09. Back then in India, there were not many consultants in the climate change industry. Before I started my own consultancy company, I worked in an audit company- SGS. There I observed that the consultants who visit for auditing of projects faced issues with quality. So, we thought of making a good consultancy company where quality issues can be managed and time taken for registration can be minimised at a reasonable cost. From 2008-09 to 2015-16, we were majorly a consulting company. We developed many projects but lacked connections or adequate resources to sell the credit. Later, we realized that we are only offering credit creation services but the customers also required revenue generation model by selling the generated carbon credit. For the generation of such revenue, there were many existing consultants available in Asia and developed nations. At that time, the carbon market was also low. So, we started our own trading depth to sell carbon credit. Today, in that trading depth, we are the world’s largest carbon credit developer and supplier. We develop lots of our own projects and supply those credits through our trading list to the international carbon market. In the world, about 90 per cent of registered projects in carbon credit are received from the renewable energy industry.

Our projects also link to the renewable energy industry.

Today, we have more than 2000 clients across more than 40 countries. In Indore, we have our registered office, and we have our team across many parts of the countryBangalore, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bhopal and many more.

This way, we cover overall India. In the international market, we have our team in Vietnam, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and more. We work in nine nations along with our team and work virtually in locations with fewer projects.

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EQ: Your brand name says that you are the world’s largest carbon credit developer and supplier. Could you please elaborate on the development and supply of this carbon credit?

MD: Our major work is to provide carbon credit advisory services through which projects generate credit and later sell those carbon credits. Any technology of project installed to reduce emission of one tonne CO2e get one carbon credit. For example, if a solar project generates 20 lakh electrical units then around 2000 carbon credit are generated. It gets credits because it generates electricity with almost no emission. The same electricity generated from coal power plants consumes a lot of coal and also leads to a lot of emissions. The solar project owner is responsible for the lack of emission. So, it gets carbon credit which it sells in the international market and gets extra revenue that boosts the return of their projects. The boost varies according to the size of the project and country. It depends on the trade rate of the carbon credit. This is an additional revenue stream through which developing nations like ours, installing clean and green technology gets additional incentive so that the project becomes more financially feasible and viable. This is the concept of carbon credit. There are different standards of carbon credit like Clean Development Mechanism, Verified Carbon Standards, Gold Standard, Global Carbon Council and many more international standards are available. First, we register projects in advisory services and then get them verified every year based on the generation of electricity and carbon credits. We then find the buyer, sell carbon credit and bring revenue to the client’s account.

Our major USP is that starting from document collection to revenue realization, we provide inbuilt service to the client. We charge a fee from the client only when he/she gets revenue from selling carbon credit, making us a unique service provider. We cover the financial risks of our clients in our business model leading us ahead of our competitors.

EQ: Please tell us details about the progress of your company and what is your vision for the future?

MD: From 2008 to 2015, our turnover was around Rs 1,55,000 in the financial year 2008-2009. Up to 2015, our turnover was

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interview less than three crores. After the expansion of our services, last financial year recorded turnover over Rs 193 crores. In next two years, we have a vision to cross a turnover of Rs 500 crores. Recently, our company has launched its IPO that is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. Our IPO rate is Rs. 102.

At the time of listing, on April 7, 2021, the opening rate was Rs 140. Now, the trade date has crossed Rs 400. Our prediction for the future of the company is bright. Our investors/ shareholders also predict the same. Our market capitalization is around 250 crores on the Bombay Stock Exchange. We anticipate that in the next two years, considering our growth and confidence/ trust of shareholders, it should be more than 1000 crores. We have only one target, to achieve a high top-line which we expect around 500 crores and our market capital to cross 1,000 crores, as per our company’s growth. This is the short term vision of our company.

EQ: How are you going to deploy the capital raised by IPO? MD: We will use the capital raised by IPO to develop more and more sustainability and community-based projects. We are currently executing more than 800 projects. Our working capital goes in generating more credits and bringing revenue to the clients at low financial risks.

EQ: Please tell us about other services that you offer.

MD: We offer combination of services related to carbon credit and associated market mechanisms. First, we provide carbon credit advisory services in which we offer consultancy related to GHG Mitigation Programs which are also called carbon credit standards. In this, we handle registration and verification of projects. The second is Carbon Offsetting, under which we supply carbon credit generated from our previous services. The third is Renewable Energy Attribute, an international renewable energy attribute similar to India’s REC program. It has its own criteria and standards. We offer adjoining services. The fourth service is Carbon Footprinting and Neutrality where we help to determine an organization’s carbon footprint and design carbon neutrality pathway for it. We estimate the tonnes of CO2e emitted in the atmosphere through every business activity which reflects carbon impression of the business on the environment and commonly known as carbon footprint of the business. We estimate it and provide strategies to optimize and eventually reduce the emissions and help them to become carbon neutral.

Next is Sustainability Reporting Service with which we help the client in sustainable reporting like GRI and more. Under Electrical Safety Audit, we help many banks, RBI, retail outlets, Oil and gas companies (like BPCL, IOCL) and others by conducting an electrical safety audit to stay safe and ensure that there is no scope for electrical hazards in their premises. We also offer Business Excellence services, where we provide advisory and training services on complicated management standards like ISO 14001, ISO 50001, etc. Implementation of these management systems enable our client to adopt worldwide standard business processes and procedures.

EQ: Being in Indore, How challenging it was to establish, run and upscale your business?

MD: Best manpower, professionals and experts prefer living in metro cities rather than Tier-II cities. From the beginning, it has been challenging for us. Today we have a team of more than 120 people which is amongst the world’s largest team in carbon credit consulting companies. It was quite challenging to develop manpower in Indore. Another problem was we could not find candidates in Indore to hire from another company. So, we select candidates for internship, train them for around two years and provide them on-roll. We have developed our own manpower. They are Indore-originated or Madhya Pradesh- oriented. Some members who belong to other states have now settled in Indore. We have developed a nice team by converting this challenge into an opportunity.

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EQ: Please tell us about the past, present and future of the climate change industry?

MD: Greenhouse gases help to maintain the average temperature on earth. There is no sunlight at night. So, greenhouse gases like CO2 trap heat during the day and emit it at night. After the Industrial revolution of 1978, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased at an unprecedented rate due to excessive burning of coal. The burning of fossil fuels and coal led to an increase of gases like methane, CO2 and more which were trapping heat in the atmosphere. This whole mechanism is called the greenhouse effect. The Earth’s temperature started rising due to an artificial boost in the greenhouse effect. This eventual led to excessive heating of the atmosphere which is commonly known as the phenomena of global warming and it was recognized in the 1970s. All nations of the world along with the United Nations introduced a protocol to reduce global warming popularly namedKyoto Protocol. Its implementation started across the globe in February 2005. It stated that all developed nations are responsible for the current level of GHG emissions and they must do something to reduce their emissions.

In case, they are not able to do then they are allowed to buy carbon credits from the projects located in developing nations like Brazil, India and more. So, extra revenue received through extra climate finance and carbon credit will make our projects viable. From 2005 to 2020, we have seen that global temperature has increased by one degree.

If rate of emissions continued to be same then the earth’s temperature will increase three to four degree by 2050. The number and type of natural calamities the world is facing today will increase exponentially in future. To reduce this, Paris Agreement was signed in the year 2015 which stated that both developed and developing nations are responsible for this and they need to reduce their emissions. For reduction of emissions, every country has submitted a Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) document to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) on how they will reduce their emissions. Paris Agreement states that by 2050, the global temperature should not increase more than two degrees and should be capped at 1.5 degrees. It also states that all nations have to become carbon neutral by the end of the century i.e. the amount of emission generated should be equal to the emission absorbed through forests or technology. The future of the climate change industry is seems to be bright. By 2050, it is not very easy for countries to reduce their emission as reduction in emission is directly proportional to the reduction in consumption of fossil fuels which means turning to renewable energy, energy efficiency, forest and more. The requirement for these concepts is increasing gradually.

Every nation has two options- implementation of carbon tax like Singapore Government or the initiation of emission trading like European Union has done through European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS). The majority considers emission trading as the best system to reduce emission in any nation. Every country is working on it.

EQ: Would you like to convey any message to our Readers?

MD: We should make our lifestyles carbon neutral. We can try our best by adopting different habits like replace use of plastic bags with bags made up of cloth. We must try to minimize the use of electrical energy, reduce emission, decrease pollution and bring down waste generation. So that, we can help our country to meet the sustainability target of becoming carbon neutral. Nations can meet such target only when industries and individuals contribute to minimize the GHG emissions.

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