White Paper – Solar Power Business Opportunities in India

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Solar-Power-Business-Opportunities-in-India

The turning point for renewable energy is round the corner. Indian cleantech market analysts Bridge to India state that 2016 will be the year when rooftop commercial solar power will achieve grid parity with conventional energy in India. Although no legally binding agreement was signed at the Paris climate change conference, it has done a world of good for boosting renewable energy. Despite the price of coal and other fossil fuels hitting the rock bottom, the growth in solar power adaptation has remained steady.

Year-on-year data on the share of various power sources in India clearly indicates that coal is steadily losing its dominant share, while renewable energy sources have gained rapidly. While the installed capacity of solar power has surged, the per-unit purchase price has collapsed to reach closer to the price of thermal power.

Installed Power Capacity in India

Year-on-year data on the share of various power sources in India clearly indicates that coal is steadily losing its dominant share, while renewable energy sources have gained rapidly.

Figure 1: Installed power capacity in India

Installed-power-capacity-in-India
Source: Central Electricity Authority

While the installed capacity of solar power has surged, the price of power has climbed down to reach closer to the price of thermal power. The current solar purchase price of Rs.6.5 per unit is marginally above the price earned by coal power plants in Delhi at Rs.5.71 per unit.

Figure 2: Rising solar power capacity in India

Rising-solar-power-capacity-in-India
Source: Economic Times

Falling Prices of Solar PV Panels
Similarly the cost of equipment is falling steadily in recent years, enabling solar power companies to expand their capacities. However, there is a threat of anti-dumping duties being imposed on Chinese solar PV modules, which is the main supplier for the Indian market. The crystalline PV module prices have fallen from INR39 per watt in 4Q2013 to INR35 per watt in 4Q2013.

Falling-prices-of-solar-PV-panels-1
Source: Bridge to India

The National Solar Mission has been the biggest boost for solar power market to develop since 2010. Gujarat and Rajasthan have emerged leaders among Indian states to offer incentives through state policies. However, Maharashtra has been quite slow in promoting this market, but the new BJP-led government is expected to push forward with the pending projects.

Opportunities-in-Solar-Power-in-India
Source: Bridge to India – India Solar Compass


Opportunities for Market Entry by SMEs
The techno-economic feasibility of solar PV projects are now beyond dispute. Numerous private and state-owned companies have entered the market since 2010 and the market is becoming crowded. Yet, three key opportunities are still available for newcomers. For further details, please submit your contact details and download our e-book on Opportunities in Solar Power in India:


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Ecoideaz is hell bent on proving that sensible green ideas do emerge from India. It is eager to build a comprehensive portfolio of all eco-friendly ideas developed in India and create a repository for innovative green ideas both from the investor and consumer perspective.

6 COMMENTS

    • Dear Fred,
      Solar driers are not hot enough to be used for clay bricks. they can only give you a temperature of 50-70 degrees which is good enough for vegetables and organic material. further, you should not make clay bricks since they are harmful to the environment!

      • One friend of mine make dry bricks for construction. The thing is it should not come in contact with rain. So may be the interior walls can be made by unbaked, just dried mud bricks.
        His philosophy is to leave nothing behind. he says after my death the house should disintegrate and all the resources, most of which are sourced locally should recycle in to the system.
        Hope this clarifies your doubts.

        Warm Regards,

        Shrinivas

        from Pune, India

  1. The price of coal and fossil fuels are low because there is growing competition from wind and solar.

    • Yes i agree Joseph. this is one moment in modern history where prices of all fuels are low!

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