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					</table>The supply mismatch between India’s solar module and cell capacity has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/module-glut-cell-shortage-drag-down-solar-manufacturing-plant-utilization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">had</a> an unlikely fallout: low utilization of module manufacturing lines. With average capacity utilization at about 35% to 40%, manufacturers are struggling to keep their lines running as module capacity continues to expand while domestic cell production lags.
The Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ctuil-issues-guidelines-for-enhancing-storage-capacity-of-bess-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the procedure for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects with existing connectivity to increase their energy storage capacity in MWh without increasing their approved charging or discharging capacity in MW.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-issues-guidelines-for-gobardhan-program-to-boost-biogas-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> operational guidelines for the GOBARdhan program to accelerate the development of the compressed biogas sector.
Coal India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/coal-india-tenders-80-mw-320-mwh-battery-storage-projects-in-odisha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> an engineering, procurement, and construction tender to develop 80 MW/320 MWh battery energy storage systems at four locations in Odisha, along with comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&amp;M) for 15 years. The last date to submit bids is October 9, 2026. Bids will be opened the following day.
NTPC Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-rel-invites-bids-for-215-mw-wind-project-in-madhya-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to develop a 215 MW wind energy project with connectivity to the state transmission utility in Madhya Pradesh. The last date to submit bids is October 9, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-invites-bids-for-off-grid-solar-water-pumps-under-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids from vendors to design, manufacture, supply, install, and commission off-grid solar water pumping systems under Component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.
The New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/nredcap-floats-om-tender-for-canal-top-solar-project-in-andhra-pradesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for a five-year O&amp;M contract for a solar power project in the state’s West Godavari district. The last date to submit bids online is October 12, 2026. Bidders can submit hard copies of technical bids till October 13, 2026. The technical bids will be opened the same day, and the financial bids on October 16, 2026.
Cochin Shipyard <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cochin-shipyard-invites-bids-for-battery-storage-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up a BESS at its premises in Kochi, Kerala. The last date to submit bids is October 13, 2026. Bids will be opened the following day.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/chidambaranar-port-authority-tenders-3-mw-green-hydrogen-electrolyzer-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to develop a 3 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer plant and hydrogen refueling station at its premises in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The last date to submit bids is October 6, 2026. Bids will be opened the following day.
Kolkata-based solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/vikram-solar-signs-1-gw-solar-cell-supply-deal-with-avaada-electro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> an agreement with Avaada Electro to procure 1 GW of domestically manufactured solar cells.
Agastya Energy and Infrastructure’s board of directors <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/agastya-energy-approves-%E2%82%B95-66-billion-preferential-share-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> a preferential issue of equity shares and convertible warrants totaling approximately ₹5.66 billion (~$59.32 million).
Houston-based vertically integrated solar manufacturer SEG Solar <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/seg-solar-begins-hjt-module-production-at-second-us-manufacturing-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">started</a> commercial-scale production of heterojunction solar modules at its second U.S. manufacturing facility, Tomball #1, in the Greater Houston area, Texas.
U.S.-based solar module manufacturer First Solar <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/first-solar-to-withdraw-topcon-patent-complaint-before-usitc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">planned</a> to withdraw its Section 337 patent complaint before the U.S. International Trade Commission and continue pursuing lawsuits over tunnel oxide passivated contact technology in U.S. District Court.
Planted, a company that develops automated systems for solar project deployment, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/planted-raises-31-8million-scale-autonomous-power-deployment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised</a> $31.8 million to expand its robotic fleet and scale solar project deployment. The company’s solution combines project planning software, terrain-following solar arrays, energy storage, and field robotics.
38 Degrees North, a community solar and distributed renewable energy developer and operator, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/38-degrees-north-secures-260-million-community-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">closed</a> a $260 million financing facility with infrastructure finance platform Apterra Infrastructure Capital to support the construction of approximately 85 MW of community solar projects across New York and Illinois.
ZAKH Renewable Energy and Engineering Manufacturing <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mena-weekly-round-up-zakh-renewable-launches-solar-module-plant-for-bipv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> a full-cycle manufacturing facility dedicated to producing solar modules and building-integrated photovoltaics. The facility is located in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone in the UAE.

Daily News Wrap-Up: Solar Manufacturing Hit by Module Glut, Cell Shortages

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.nitkkr.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra</a> claimed that they developed a system that could be utilized to provide electricity access in rural areas of developing countries.
The researchers developed the system by combining an off-grid photovoltaic (PV) system with pumped hydropower storage.
In the report, the researchers explained that batteries are widely used in PV energy systems for electrical energy storage (EES) due to their quick and easy installation. However, several production and recycling processes of batteries generate poisonous and greenhouse gases, which is a threat to the environment and public health. On the other hand, PHS is a well-established and one of the most mature energy storage technologies despite its limitation, such as the requirement of a large amount of water, the researchers stated.
&#8220;Pumped hydropower storage has the lowest cost/kWh, and is reliable and capable of supplying continuous power. The technology has a lifespan of 40 to 60 years, while its efficiency ranges from 65% to 87%,&#8221; the researchers stated.
To develop the system, the researchers designed the PHS with one lower tank and two upper tanks, out of which a large upper tank is used to store water. The other small upper tank, closer to the open well, is utilized to provide control over the pico hydro turbine (PHT) head and discharge for continuous power generation and constant output voltage. The open well is used as a lower tank of the PHS. They also constructed two separate strong foundations over the water surface inside the open well to fix the solar water pump and hydro turbine generator (HTG).
According to its research report, the system continuously stores energy throughout the day using a solar water pump powered by a photovoltaic system. The solar water pump sucks the water from an open well and stores it in the large upper tank of PHS in the form of potential energy. The water stored in the upper tank is utilized to generate electricity continuously during the day and night. The water will be discharged in the open well again after passing through PHT, and the whole cycle restarts again.
In its report, the researchers stated that the proposed system&#8217;s levelized cost of electricity is $0.053/kWh. The proposed system&#8217;s payback period is nearly 19 years, and its expected lifespan is over 50 years, they added.
India is the fifth largest hydropower generator in the world with an <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-overtakes-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">installed</a> capacity of 50.07 GW. Hydropower projects have the potential to be associated with solar in many ways. According to a research <a href="https://mercomindia.com/floating-solar-hydropower-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the addition of floating solar projects on the top of water bodies, which already have hydropower stations, can annually generate around 7.6 TW of clean energy from the solar photovoltaic systems alone.
Pumped hydropower storage currently accounts for over 94% of installed global energy storage capacity, and over 96% of the energy stored in grid-scale applications, according to a <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-overtakes-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> by the International Hydropower Association (<a href="https://www.hydropower.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IHA</a>). Coupled with solar, this technology could supply greater capacities of green power to the world.
&nbsp;
Image credit: Snowy Hydro Limited

Combining Off-Grid Solar System and Pumped Hydro Storage for Steady Power Generation

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (<a href="https://www.eeslindia.org/">EESL</a>) has issued a tender for an off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping system in selected States on a pan-India basis under Component-B of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy&#8217;s (MNRE) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.
The last date for submission of bids is February 4, 2021. Prospective bidders are expected to pay ₹25,000 (~$ 342.19) towards bidding document cost.
In all, 317,975 pumps are slated for installation across 30 states and five union territories
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23864" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EESL-Solar-Pumps-Allocation-Approved-for-Various-States-and-Union-Territories.png" alt="EESL Solar Pumps Allocation Approved for Various States and Union Territories" width="500" height="991" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EESL-Solar-Pumps-Allocation-Approved-for-Various-States-and-Union-Territories.png 500w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EESL-Solar-Pumps-Allocation-Approved-for-Various-States-and-Union-Territories-151x300.png 151w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />
The scope of work includes design, manufacture, supply, transport, installation, testing, and commissioning of off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping systems (SPWPS) of 1-10 HP, including complete system warranty, repair, and maintenance for five years.
The empanelled firm must install and commission  SPWPS within 90 days of NTP (Notice to Proceed) issuance for general category states. However, for special category states, hill states, union territories, and island union territories, the empanelled firm must complete the installation and commission within 120 days of the NTP issuance.
Only indigenously manufactured photovoltaic modules and pumps should be used in the program. &#8216;Made in India&#8217; must be mentioned on solar panels and pumps. Systems must meet technical specifications and construction standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards and MNRE.
The winning bidder must ensure timely maintenance of the systems and train a local person while making necessary spare parts and tools available in each district. The vendor must have one authorized service center in each operational district and a helpline in English, Hindi, or the state&#8217;s regional language where the SPWPS are installed.
The prospective bidder should be a manufacturer of solar modules, solar pumps, or pump controllers using indigenous technology. Firms involved in engineering, procurement, and construction of similar works can enter a joint venture with the manufacturers.
The bidder&#8217;s net worth as on the last day of the preceding financial year (2018-19 or 2019-20) should not be less than 100% of the paid-up share capital. The bidder should be profitable in at least two of the last four financial years.
In 2019, EESL had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/eesl-tender-solar-pumps-kusum/">invited</a> bids for off-grid solar water pump systems across India under (PM KUSUM) program to promote solar in agriculture. In all, 181,200 solar pumps were slated to be installed across the country, categorized under clusters in each state.
In 2019, MNRE had issued an <a href="https://mercomindia.com/manufacturers-solar-pumps-modules-bid-kusum/">amendment</a> to the guidelines for implementing the KUSUM program, which would help solarize agriculture. Only manufacturers of solar water pumps or solar modules were allowed to participate in the bidding process.

EESL Issues Tender for 317,975 Solar Pumps Across India

The sun is shining a little brighter for the farmers of Mujkuva village of Anklav taluka, nearly 17 km away from Anand, Gujarat. A group of 11 farmers in the village have turned their backs on conventional electricity and have taken up solar to irrigate their farms. This initiative, taken under Mujkuva Solar Pump Irrigators’ Cooperative Enterprise (SPICE), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 30, 2018.
“As many as 11 farmers in our village are using the solar energy to pump out borewell water to irrigate their farms. Most of them are irrigating for one to two hours a day, leaving behind surplus to be sold at ₹3.24 (~ $0.044) per unit. With this, every farmer is expected to earn around ₹6,000 (~ $81.68) per month. Moreover, there will be no electricity bill too. Prior to this, any farmer had been shelling out around ₹2,000 (~ $27.23) per month as electricity bill,” Labubhai Patel, secretary of Mujkuva Saur Urja Utpadak Sahakari Mandali Limited told Mercom.
The mandali that was formed with the help from the <a href="https://www.nddb.coop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)</a>, headquartered in Anand, is selling the surplus to Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL), a state-owned power distribution company. The farmers are currently using 15 HP water pump and the energy being generated from the 150 kW solar panel is around 90 to 100 units per day.
Elaborating further, Patel added, “This project has also put an end to our many sleepless nights. As per existing policy, the village gets electricity for one week during day (around eight hours), followed by one week during nights for eight hours. So, while we could irrigate our farms during the day for one week, the next week required us to stay up at night”.
Gujarat government has been rolling out initiatives to empower the farmers by generating electricity on their farms.  Mercom has earlier reported <a href="https://mercomindia.com/gujarat-program-solar-panels-farmers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suryashakti Kisan yojana (SKY),</a> a program announced by Gujarat government. Under SKY, farmers will be provided with solar panels to generate power on their lands.
In <a href="https://mercomindia.com/government-kusum-solarize-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March 2018</a>, the Government of India announced that it is preparing to launch the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) program which aims to solarize the agricultural sector using solar-powered water pumps and provide solar-powered electricity to rural areas.
Image credit: By Rajarshi MITRA (Flickr: Down on the farm&#8230;) [<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>], via Wikimedia Commons

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