MNRE Issues Specifications for Tech Neutral Lithium Batteries for Solar off-Grid Applications

MNRE has issued new draft specifications for use of technology neutral lithium batteries in off-grid solar applications in different MNRE schemes.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued new draft specifications for use of technology neutral lithium batteries in off-grid solar applications in different MNRE schemes. Stakeholders have been requested to submit comments/suggestions on the draft.

The MNRE is implementing various schemes for the promotion of off-grid solar applications such as solar street lights, solar study lamps, solar off-grid power packs. To ensure the quality of the systems installed, systems specifications have been issued and upgraded by the ministry from time to time.

Under the existing specifications for solar street lights and solar study lamps, Lithium Ferro Phosphate batteries (LFP) are being provided under the MNRE Schemes. System specifications for 12 W LED solar street lights and specifications for solar study lamps have been made available, which are to be followed by all vendors which are supplying equipments under the ministry’s different schemes.

The ministry then goes on to clarify that it has received representations from various stakeholders that specifications for these applications may be battery technology neutral and Lithium chemistries other than LFP may also be allowed to be installed with these systems.

Keeping in view suitability of batteries for solar off-grid applications, following broad technology neutral specifications have been worked out for Li batteries:

Stakeholders in the off-grid solar applications and energy storage sectors have now been requested to provide comments/ suggestions on the above specifications latest by August 28, 2020.

In a recent report, energy analyst firm Wood Mackenzie has predicted a fourfold rise in global lithium-ion cell manufacturing capacity to reach 1.3 terawatt-hour (TWh) in 2030 compared to 2019. The firm has based this estimate on 119 battery manufacturing facilities that are operational, under construction or announced by more than 50 vendors worldwide.

The report adds that China of course dominates the pipeline capacity and is expected to double its capacity from 345 gigawatt-hour (GWh) in 2020 to more than 800 GWh by 2030. Other foreign manufacturers in China such as LG Chem, Samsung SDI and SK Innovation have also been adding new lines after they became eligible for subsidies from the Chinese government in 2019.