Tata Group Invests In Swiss Clean Tech Firm Flisom

1. Flisom uses a compound CIGS technology that is coated on a polymer foil.
2. Flisom is a spin-off of ETH Zurich. Would be nice to hear a similar story from India as well. But for that we need more investment into basic sciences and fundamental research.

http://www.vccircle.com/500/news/tata-group-invests-in-swiss-clean-tech-firm-flisom

"Tata Group, one of India’s diversified business conglomerates, has invested in Swiss firm Flisom--which produces flexible, thin-film solar cells at a low-cost technology—for an undisclosed sum."

IIT-B looks to Solar Thermal

The project, which will last for five years, is expected to start in another two years.

http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_iit-b-looks-to-solar-power_1290554

To help facilitate cost-effective solar thermal power generation, IIT Bombay plans to develop a megawatt-scale solar thermal power facility, which is being sponsored by the ministry of new and renewable energy.

Global Cleantech 100 - world's most promising cleantech companies

2 companies from India in the Top 100.

1. d.light design, New Delhi, India
2. Jain Irrigation Systems, Jalgaon, India

http://www.guardian.co.uk/globalcleantech100/by-country

Institutional investor from India funds 7.4-MW Solar PV Project in Germany

1. While the identity of the investor can be speculated, interesting to note that projects in Europe are being preferred to India.
   
2. Capital availability for Renewable Energy projects in India should not be a problem, given the right incentive and policy roadmap.
3. As somebody said - India is a poor country with many rich people.
   

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/09/sinosol-builds-7-4-mw-solar-pv-project?cmpid=rss

Sinosol AG is building a 7.4-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic project close to Augsburg in Southern Germany. The project is being funded by an institutional investor from India. On a surface of approximately 17 hecatares more than 35,000 polycrystalline PV-modules will be installed.

Both parties have agreed on the takeover of a power plant portfolio in Europe with a total size of 65 MW.

Sinosol is the project developer and EPC contractor. Construction for the project in Nordendorf started on August 4. After a construction period of four months the PV-plant will be finished and grid connected before the end of 2009.

The project in Nordendorf is a pilot project for further joint activities of Sinosol and the institutional investor from India which is planning to build an international PV portfolio of 200 MW until the end of 2010.

Both parties have agreed on the takeover of a power plant portfolio in Europe with a total size of 65 MW. The agreement covers PV parks that will still be grid connected in 2009 as well as power plants that will be erected in 2010 by Sinosol Group.

MNRE incentives for CSP - Dish technology

Solar thermal space is gradually heating up.

http://mnes.nic.in/solar-steam-systems.htm

Two types of solar steam generating systems; one based on fixed receiver E-W automatically tracked concentrating technology (Scheffler) and the other on fully tracked receiver on dish technology (Arun) are under promotion in the country. Whereas the fixed receiver technology is in promotion for last many years and about 40 systems covering over 12,000 sq. m of dish area have been installed, the fully tracked technology is under pilot scale demonstration and only six dishes with area 1920 sq. m have been installed as on date.

Incentive for Scheffler Dish

50% of the cost of system, subject to a maximum of Rs. 5000 per sq. m of dish area to non-profit making institutions/organizations and 35% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 3500/-per sq. m to commercial/industrial organizations (profit making and claiming accelerated depreciation) is available from MNRE. There is no restriction of any number of proposals to be supported by MNRE to industry and commercial organizations, 80% accelerated depreciation is available in addition to Govt. subsidy.

Incentive for Arun Dish

Rs. 12.00 lakhs per dish to a maximum of 2 dishes installed at one place. Only 20 dishes could be supported at present under the scheme. Proposals for 6 dishes have already been supported so far.

MNRE calls for EOI for projects based on Combustion, Gasification

It is interesting to note that even MNRE proposes that gasification systems are mainly suitable for projects below 1MW capacity. Above 1MW, combustion or co-generation route is being suggested.

http://mnes.nic.in/tenders/current/eoi-mips.pdf

As part of this Project, the Ministry is contemplating for establishment of Model Investment Projects (MIPs) in the different parts of the country. The Biomass Conversion Technologies that are proposed to be deployed are – Combustion, Gasification and Cogeneration using different type of captive and distributed biomass resources. The aim of these projects is to demonstrate the viability of new investment and financing models for mainstreaming the biomass power sector and is also expected to act as the “Best Practices” for faster replication in other States.

In the biomass sector (other than the sugar mill sub sector), the MIPs has been categorized into less than 1 MW and greater than 1 MW of installed plant capacities. While MIPs with less than 1 MW are to be based on gasifier technology, others may be based on cogeneration or combustion technologies.

Punjab launches scheme for harnessing solar energy

One more state follows the lead of NDPL.

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/23/stories/2009072352360300.htm

The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has come out with the comprehensive plan to provide financial support to all government institutions, private commercial establishments, industries, housing complexes to install SPV systems from 1 KW capacity to 100 KW capacity. As the government has offered 33 to 40 per cent subsidy, Mr. Khanna said the SPV system would pay back the cost incurred in 5 to 6 years. This system doest not require maintenance and has a life of about 25-30 years. A 100 KW capacity system would save around 50,000 litres of diesel per year, he said.