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India Solar Thermal Bidding sees Massive Discounts;479 MW Projects to be constructed with 90% in Rajasthan

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India’s ambitious JNNSM Plan to build 20 GW of Solar Capacity by 2022 has seen projects being awarded for 479 MW of Solar Thermal Projects under Phase-1.The Solar Project Bidding was expected to be extremely competitive and it turned out to be exactly that with discounts of  more than 30% being offered to the base price of RS 15.31 for Solar Thermal generated Electricity.Note Rs 15.31 was determined to be a decent price on which a Solar Thermal Plant Developer could get decent returns just a year ago.This means that a 30% Discount would lead to zero or very low returns for the Solar Thermal Winners.According to news reports there are 7 winners for these Solar Thermal Plants 6 of which will come up in Rajasthan which seems to be the biggest winner of these Solar Subsidy Scheme.Andhra Pradesh is the only other state to win a Solar Thermal Project.There were about 60 applicants for the Solar Thermal Part of the Phase 1 JNNSM Bidding from which these 7 have been selected.

Reliance Power,Lanco and KSK Energy has won 100 MW Projects while 4 others have gotten approval for small plants.There are stringent time deadlines for all phases of the projects with PPAs to be signed in February 2011 and around 30 months to be taken to complete the plant.Note while the 100 MW Plant builders are known power utilities,the other 4 are not that well known.The smaller winners are Godavari Power,Aurum Renewables,Corporate Ispat and Megha Engineering.It remains to be seen how successful the JNNSM Solar Thermal Projects turn out to be.I am not a big fan of Solar Thermal Technology and think that the Desterec Projects is a White Elephant.However the Indian Solar Plan has placed a big emphasis on this technology.Note Areva and Siemens have already set sights on the Indian Solar Thermal Equipment Market.All of these Solar Thermal Plants will be built incidentally in Congress ruled States which is the Ruling Party of the Federal Government

Reliance Power, Lanco shortlisted for solar-thermal modules – DNA

Around 60 companies, including Lanco, KVK Energy and Reliance Power, have been shortlisted for the solar-thermal collector modules project, which is part of the government’s ambitious plan to reduce the price of solar power generation.

Solar-thermal collector-based power plants are seen as cheaper to set up, leading the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission to stipulate a lower price of Rs15.31 per unit compared with Rs17.91 promised for photovoltaic panel-based solar plants.

While Lanco Power and KVK Energy have offered a discount of Rs4.82 and Rs4.11 per unit, respectively, for 100 mw capacity in Rajasthan for solar thermal modules, another company, Megha Energy’s discount works to Rs4 per unit for a capacity of 50 mw, according to sources.

The Reliance Power-promoted Rajasthan Sun Technique has offered a discount of Rs3.34 for setting up a 100 mw solar plant.
Under Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission Phase-I, the discounts are much higher than anticipated by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam.

For solar thermal projects, 60 companies have bid offering a capacity of around 2,666 mw as against the required capacity of 500 mw.

The PPAs are likely to be signed by December, giving a purchase guarantee for the power produced by the plants to be set up by the bid winners, sources said.

PG

Sneha Shah

I am Sneha, the Editor-in-chief for the Blog. We would be glad to receive suggestions, inputs & comments on GWI from you guys to keep it going! You can contact me for consultancy/trade inquires by writing an email to greensneha@yahoo.in

3 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. Blauer

    I am considering sttaring a solar/wind energy business. I would like to know how many people would really consider installing solar panels and/or a wind generator on their home or business. If a complete system is too costly, would you consider a battery back-up system to run essential items in you home or business for when the power drops out? This would consist of 4-12 batteries, a couple of solar panels and/or a wind generator. This would operate items such as lights, well pump, refrigerator, radio or TV, telephones, and computers. Would you consider sttaring a small solar array (4-6 panels) and adding panels to it when you have extra money to spend on them?Please give me your feedback on what you think of GREEN energy and if you think it is the future or just a fad.Good answers so far. In response to f100_supersabre, A 4 battery system is not much. It all depends on what you will operate and how long. The more batteries the better. About the telephone, yes they are powered by the telephone line but businesses usually have multiple lines with a switching station that needs electricity to operate. Most homes now only have cordless phones which require electricity. If you keep a corded phone in your home this would be a non factor. When it comes to the size panels and wind generator that is relevant to your power consumption. What might be good for your house may be too big or too small for your neighbor.Keep the answers coming.

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