Top Stories of the Week for Solar Industry

Narendra Modi Flags Off First Ever Diesel to Electric Locomotive

Prime minister Narendra Modi has flagged off the world’s first ever diesel to electric converted locomotive at the Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi. The Prime Minister unveiled the first of its kind converted electric locomotive during his visit to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on February 19, 2019, to lay the foundation stone of developmental projects and unveil several other projects there. Diesel Locomotive Works has converted two WDG3A Diesel Locos into a Twin Electric WAGC3 loco of 10,000 HP. Read more>>

Argentina Signs Framework Agreement of ISA

Argentina on Monday became the 72nd country to sign the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The agreement was inked on the sidelines of the official three-day visit of Argentinian President Mauricio Macri to India by Argentina’s Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie in the presence of ISA’s Director-General Upendra Tripathy. “A new partner in the Alliance. Foreign Minister of Argentina, @JorgeFaurie signs the Framework Agreement of International Solar Alliance @ isolaralliance. Read more>>

Govt Okays 2nd Phase of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Prog to Target 40 GW by 2022

The programme will be implemented with total central financial support of Rs 11,814 crore.In a bid to achieve the ambitious targets of 40 GW cumulative capacity from Rooftop Solar (RTS) Projects by 2022, the government has provided its consent for the Phase-II of grid connected rooftop solar programme. As per the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the programme will be implemented with total central financial support of Rs 11,814 crore. Read more>>

CCEA Approves Launch of Rs 34,422 Crore KUSUM Scheme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the launch of the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) with the objective of providing financial and water security to farmers. The proposed scheme consists of three components: Component-A: 10,000 MW of Decentralised Ground Mounted Grid-Connected Renewable Power Plants. Component-B: Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps. Component-C: Solarisation of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps. Read more>>

Saudi Arabia Signs Framework Agreement of ISA

Saudi Arabia has become the 73rd nation to sign the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance. The agreement was inked during the official state visit of the Crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Royal Highness Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saad to India. The signed agreement was handed to ISA’s Director-General Upendra Tripathy in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Countries which have signed the agreement until now include India, France, Australia, UAE, UK, Japan amongst others. Read more>>

MNRE’s Rs 175.87 Cr RE Research and Technology Development Programme Renewed

The President of India has given his approval for the continuation of the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RETD) program of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for implementation during 2017-18 and 2019-20 at the cost of Rs 175.87 crore. The scheme aims at scaling up R&D effort for “Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development” during the said period for promoting indigenous technology development and manufacture for wide spread applications of new and renewable energy in efficient and cost effective manner across the country. Read more>>

DGTR Recommends Anti-Dumping Duty on EVA Sheets For Solar Modules

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in its final findings notification on the matter of anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) sheets for solar modules” has recommended the imposition of antidumping duty on the imports from China PR, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand for a period of 5 years. The petition was filed by Renewsys India Put. Ltd., with the claim that there is no known difference between the EVA sheets imported from the above-mentioned countries and that produced by the petitioner, and the consumers can use the two interchangeably. Read more>>