Solar power capacity likely to go up by 1,000 MW this year: Mercom Capital Report

The country’s solar power capacity is likely to go up by 1,000 MW in 2014, almost same as last year, according to a report. Solar installations in India totalled 1,004 MW in 2013 compared with 986 MW the year before. There was very little growth in installations year-on-year, said the report from consultancy firm Mercom Capital Group Llc. There is no likelihood of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission projects coming up until mid-2015. The mission was launched in 2010 by the Government to promote renewable energy generation and, thereby, address India’s energy security challenges. Most projects have stalled and State policies are all over the map. Besides, India is now in a trade dispute with the US in the World Trade Organization over domestic content requirement in the country’s solar programme. “It’s time for developers to go directly to consumers. There is a large power-starved market waiting to be served that looks better as diesel prices keep climbing,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercom Capital Group. In addition to economic viability and project margin woes, State policies are also a concern for solar power companies . There is no real renewable purchase obligation in place, which would have made it mandatory for some entities to buy electricity generated by specified ‘green’ sources. The general elections, too, are likely to impact the solar project installations. http://www.eai.in/360/news/pages/12042