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Adani Group

China’s East Hope Partners India’s Adani For Solar Equipment Manufacturing

written by saurabh

One of China’s largest industrial groups East Hope has announced partnership with Indian conglomerate Adani to set up solar equipment manufacturing units in India’s western state of Gujarat.

Representatives of the two companies recently signed a memorandum of understanding at the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. As per the agreement, East Hope would invest a total of $300 million to develop various facilities include solar equipment manufacturing, chemicals, and aluminium.

The Adani Group has reportedly already set up the largest solar modules and cell manufacturing facility to manufacture solar modules and cells. According to a disclosure made to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy earlier this year,

Mundra Solar, part of the the Adani Group, has commissioned 1,200 megawatts of solar cell and 1,200 megawatts of solar module production line. As on 31 December 2016, the production lines are ready but actual production is yet to begin.

Adani’s solar equipment manufacturing venture had first attracted SunEdison. The two companies had agreed to invest $4 billion in the production facilities which were to become the largest in India. However, the agreement became null following bankruptcy of SunEdison.

Adani was supposed to initiate production at the Mundra Solar facilities by March this year, however, it is unclear if the company has actually started manufacturing any cells or modules.

East Hope Group would possibly bring to the table what SunEdison lacked in terms of manufacturing and production expertise. The company already operates silicon smelters and would aid Adani in its manufacturing plans.

Adani plans to set up a manufacturing facility to produce 1000 MWp/yr of Silicon Ingots/ wafers, Silicon Solar Cells, Modules along with 3000 MWp support manufacturing facilities that includes EVA, Back-sheet, Glass, Junction box and Solar cell and string interconnect ribbon in 3 phases.

The third phase of of Adani’s manufacturing plan would include polysilicon production upto 10,000 tonnes.

Adani has extensive plans for expansion in the Indian solar power market. A group subsidiary already operates the largest solar power project in India and regularly participates in auctions for solar power projects across the country. Having a Chinese partner may also smoothen Adani’s entry into the Chinese market which is significantly larger than the Indian one.

June 23, 2017 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India’s Solar Module Production Tops 5,000 Megawatts

written by saurabh

India’s solar module production has crossed 5,000 megawatts according to the latest information shared by manufacturers with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

The total capacity of installed solar module production lines increased from 5,848 megawatts on 30 June 2016 to 8,113 megawatts on 31 December 2016, a 23% increase. The total number of companies into the business of module manufacturing has also increased from 94 to 104 during the six months.

The largest installed capacity of module production line is owned by Mundra Solar, part of the Adani Group. At 1,200 megawatts the company commands a share of 15%. However, Mundra Solar is expected to start production of modules by March this year.

The utilisation of installed capacity has reduced from 74% as on 30 June to 65% as on 31 December 2016. Capacity utilisation could again jump to 80% as soon as Mundra Solar starts production next month.

Encouragingly, three module manufacturers that jointly have the second largest installed production lines for solar modules have 100% capacity utilisation. These are Emmvee Photovoltaics, Vikram Solar and Waaree Energies, each having installed capacity of 500 megawatts.

Solar cell production capacity also increased during these six months from 1,468 megawatts to 2,953 megawatts with Mundra Solar once again making a massive contribution of 1,200 megawatts in the installed capacity. Due to the non-operationalisation of Mundra Solar, the solar cell production could increase from 1,123 megawatts to just 1,448 megawatts by 31 December 2016. The capacity utilisation thus dropped from 76.5% to 49%.

Image by vectoropenstock.com for Cleantechies

February 12, 2017 0 comment

Renewable Energy

At 1,200 Megawatts, Adani Group Has India’s Largest Solar Cell, Modules Production Line

written by saurabh

Adani Group, one of the leading industrial conglomerates in India, is ready to start production at the country’s largest solar cell and module manufacturing line.

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has reported that Mundra Solar, part of the the Adani Group, has commissioned 1,200 megawatts of solar cell and 1,200 megawatts of solar module production line. As per the information shared by the company with the ministry as on 31 December 2016, the production lines are ready but actual production is yet to begin.

The ministry seems to be taking stock of the solar cell and module production capacity every six months now. The last report stated data as on 30 June 2016. Between these six months Mundra Solar managed to add solar cell as well as module production lines.

The solar cell production line installed by Mundra Solar helped India increase the installed capacity from 1,468 megawatts to 2,953 megawatts. The actual capacity in use witnessed a more modest increase from 1,123 megawatts to 1,448 megawatts.

India’s solar module production capacity stands at 8,113 megawatts as on 30 December 2016, up from 5,848 megawatts. Mundra Solar has almost 15% share in this installed capacity.

As reported earlier, Mundra Solar is expected to start production at its facilities by March this year. And by June the company will further increase the production capacity to 2,000 megawatts.

The planned facility will produce polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules. Adani had signed an agreement with SunEdison to set up the largest solar module manufacturing facility in India. The two companies had agreed to invest $4 billion on the project. The joint venture plans fizzled out following SunEdison’s bankruptcy.

The company will reportedly start polysilicon production upto 10,000 tonnes in the third phase.

Modules manufactured at the facility are likely to be absorbed in the company’s own projects and may be sold to other developers in the country and even sold to other markets. Adani Enterprises signed an agreement with the government of Rajasthan to set up 10 GW solar power park.

February 12, 2017 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Adani Working On India’s Largest Tracker-based Solar Power Project

written by saurabh

Adani Green Energy has reported progress on the development of what will be the largest tracker-based solar power project in India.

Adani Green Energy is setting up a 105 MW solar power project in the northern state of Punjab. The company had secured the project through competitive bidding under the state’s solar power policy. The project will use trackers provided by NEXTracker.

NEXTracker recently delivered the trackers to the project site. According to a press release issued by NEXTracker, this association marks only the first phase of engaged with Adani Green Energy. The Indian project developer has pledged to add 10 GW solar power capacity by March 2022; this constitutes 10% of the planned operational solar power capacity in the country at that time.

Adani Green Energy has a very ambitious expansion plan in the Indian solar power market. The company has been aggressively participating in the solar power auctions around the country and has also signed agreements with state governments to set up large-scale solar power parks directly.

Additionally, the company is also planning to set up perhaps the largest solar power equipment manufacturing unit in the western state of Gujarat. First phase of the unit is expected to be operationalised by March 2017 and will have production capacity of 1.2 GW; a second phase is expected to be operational by June 2017 increasing the production capacity to 2 GW.

September 13, 2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Indian Companies Plan Polysilicon Production

written by saurabh

As India’s ambitious solar power mission sees implementation of solar power projects at an increased rate several Indian companies are looking to set up production facilitates for polysilicon, raw material used for manufacturing solar PV modules.

At least three Indian companies are planning to set up polysilicon manufacturing facilities. Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the Adani Group and Panchavaktra Power are reportedly planning to set up the entire manufacturing chain of solar power equipment, from polysilicon to modules.

India has a target to have 100 GW operational solar power capacity by March 2022, a very large majority of this capacity is expected to be based on solar PV technology. However, India’s solar modules manufacturing capacity remains very low compared to the planned annual capacity addition, which is 12 GW for the current financial year.

According to media reports, Panchavaktra Power plans to invest $1 billion and plans to produce 6,000 tonnes of polysilicon for solar power modules. Shapoorji Pallonji is planning to set up solar manufacturing facility of 2,000 MW. Adani Group is looking to collaborate with international companies to set up the largest solar modules manufacturing unit in the western state of Gujarat.

Adani had earlier planned to collaborate with SunEdison in a $4 billion venture. The company has already started work on the project and recently submitted an application with the Ministry of Environment and Forest for approval to set up 1 million tonne/year copper smelter.

The company plans to set up a manufacturing facility to produce 1000 MWp/year of Silicon Ingots/ wafers, Silicon Solar Cells, Modules along with 3000 MWp support manufacturing facilities that includes EVA, Back-sheet, Glass, Junction box and Solar cell and string interconnect ribbon in three phases.

A large majority of solar PV modules used in India are imported from countries like the US and China. The Indian government is looking to promote domestic solar equipment manufacturing so that Indian companies also benefit from the huge capacity addition target.

July 26, 2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Indian Project Developers Quote Lowest-ever Solar Bid Of US¢6.5/kWh

written by saurabh

Indian project developers have pushed solar power bids to record-lows in the latest solar power auction under the National Solar Mission.

An auction held by NTPC Limited for the implementation of 130 MW capacity in the western state of Rajasthan saw project developers bidding at Rs 4.35-4.36/kWh (US¢6.5/kWh). This the lowest-ever tariff bid by Indian companies and almost matches the lowest-ever tariff bid quoted in India.

Three companies, all controlled by Indian industrial conglomerates, secured the projects. Shapoorji Pallonji secured rights to develop 50 MW capacity at tariff of Rs 4.35/kWh. Mahindra Susten, part of the Mahindra & Mahindra Group, won a 60 MW project at Rs 4.35/kWh. A company part of the Adani Group secured 20 MW project at Rs 4.36/kWh.

The lowest-ever solar tariff bid seen in India till date stands at Rs 4.34/kWh (US¢6.5/kWh). The bid was placed by Indian arm of Finland-based Fortum Group. The company secured the 70 MW project as part of a 420 MW solar power park being developed by NTPC Limited in the western state of Rajasthan.

It is no coincidence that the lowest tariff by an Indian company has been received for a project located in Rajasthan. The state has ample solar radiation resource and cheap land which can be leased from the government for several years.

Another reason for the low bids is that the power shall be procured by NTPC Limited, a government-owned entity. Being an NTPC project has its benefits as financial institutions and banks tend to favour the developer in the lending process.

July 20, 2016 0 comment