2018 | Indian Solar Sector

Indian solar sector booming, but now comes the real test.

Lack of an efficient and reliable T&D infrastructure that can handle the kind of solar power being injected into the grid poses a major challenge in the way of realizing the country’s solar potential

The power sector is growing like never before to cater to the ever- increasing needs of a rapidly developing economy, and it is solar energy which has emerged as a pacesetter. Registering a phenomenal 32-fold growth in generation in just six years, the Indian solar industry has really risen to the occasion. In fact, it is poised to grow by leaps and bounds the way so many developers are lining up one mega solar power project after another. Up against a tough target of 100 GW by 2022, India’s installed solar capacity is 16 GW now. The impressive growth notwithstanding, challenges remain.

One of the biggest hurdles in the way of realising India’s solar potential is lack of an efficient and reliable transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure that can handle the kind of solar power being injected into the grid. Solar in India would have everything going for it had the transmission system been growing in sync with the increase in generation. But the fact remains that our transmission lines have not been upgraded adequately to withstand this additional load of electricity. If ignored for long, this widening gap will put immense pressure on the existing transmission lines, which may even result in system collapse. The stakes in the solar sector are so high that we cannot afford to have any breakdowns. We have to be constantly at it by upgrading the grids and coming up with new ones to match the outflows created by new solar projects, just as Andhra Pradesh is doing. As and when the Andhra Pradesh government formulates a plan for a new solar project, it has a parallel plan on T&D going. Apart from encouraging private investment, we should rope in utilities and enable them to acquire the financial firepower to invest heavily in grid infrastructure and make large-scale green electricity purchases.

Upgrading transmission and distribution lines assumes utmost importance. The way the solar sector is growing, all states should take it upon themselves to upgrade their T&D system in accordance with the increase in installed capacity. If they fail to do so, they could find themselves in a difficult situation like Punjab. Cashing in on the solar overdrive, Punjab is poised to achieve an installed solar capacity of 1 GW soon. But the T&D network in the state has not been upgraded adequately to evacuate this additional electricity. Though the government has asked the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) to build separate transmission lines in the form of National Green Energy Corridors to evacuate renewable energy, the PGCIL is likely to put up only inter-state transmission lines, at least in the initial stages. States governments will be required to invest in capacities on their own.

Bogged down by grossly deficient transmission capacities, we lose millions of kilowatt hours of electricity to inter-state transmission congestion. High T&D losses can make solar power a highly unfavorable proposition. Though the government, in association with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the PGCIL, is doing its bit to upgrade its substations and T&D lines to reduce T&D losses, the efforts need to be redoubled. We cannot afford to operate with this redundant network of transmission lines. We should gradually upgrade our grid ring system from 440 KV to 765 KV, and then to 1,200 KV, so that electricity can be optimally transferred to the central ring and suitably distributed among power-deficient areas of the country. The process of upgrade from 66 KV to 132, 220 and 440 KV should take place simultaneously. We must ensure that each unit we generate reaches its rightful destination. The entire exercise will prove to be a wasted effort if we are not able to upgrade our grid infrastructure in consonance with the growth in solar generation capacity.

When it comes to providing grid connectivity to solar projects, the rooftop segment, which accounts for 40 GW of the 100-GW target for 2022, presents no problem as rooftop solar power is distributed smoothly in a well-defined network. It is the 60-GW ground-mounted solar projects which pose a major challenge as these projects will eventually be connected to the grid. When we talk of grid connectivity for solar projects, the one thing that we find lacking is consistency of flow. Be it thermal, nuclear or hydel power, there is a certain consistency of electricity flow round the clock. In power plants using conventional sources of energy, the flow of electricity, design and T&D network are all planned as per the estimated outflows from these plants. Thermal power plants can easily burn more or less coal to generate power as per the demand. But this is not the case with solar. While the T&D infrastructure for solar power is designed to withstand peak loads, the inconsistency in flow at different times of the day leaves the potential grossly underutilised and makes power systems prone to breakdowns and volatile fluctuations. This may be a bigger issue for larger solar projects, potentially leading to problems during peak usage periods.

Solar energy is intermittent. It cannot provide the same amount of power throughout the day. While solar power generation can falter on a cloudy day, we can, on the contrary, have more solar electricity on a bright and sunny day than is actually needed. This disparity in the flow of power poses one of the biggest challenges and calls for massive upgrades or even redesign of the grid infrastructure. Since solar energy cannot be stored at this point of time, how we manage the power generated at a specific point presents an equally stiff challenge. Maintaining grid stability can become a major challenge when a large amount of intermittent solar power is injected into the grid. This problem can, however, be overcome with modern technological breakthroughs and advancements like smart grids and solar energy storage solutions.

But the situation can become even more challenging when the share of renewable energy in total power generation goes up in due course of time, and yet the constant flow of electricity is lacking. While 10% is a challenge, it is still manageable. Beyond that, the task is increasingly difficult. Since many large solar facilities are in remote locations such as deserts where grid infrastructure doesn’t exist, we need to find a viable way to connect to and store solar energy, as and when needed.

Lack of storage poses one of the biggest challenges in the solar sector. We will have to create batteries so that whatever power is generated can be stored and distributed 24×7 as per the requirement. There has to be consistency in the flow of power to the grid to keep volatile fluctuations to a manageable extent. With the integration of storage facilities, we will also be able to use solar energy at night and regulate its supply during the day. The US and some European countries are working on solar batteries to address the problem of storage. We may have a solution in a couple of years with research going on at a furious pace in these countries.

Containing costs through R&D is another formidable challenge. Costs will go down if indigenous R&D is encouraged. But India lacks in R&D. It has a long way to go. Let’s pump enough money into R&D and create a mindset for research. Why can’t India develop its own technologies and export them to build foreign reserve rather than depending on imports and foreign capital? Collaborative and outcome-based R&D can make India a world leader in PV technologies, but we also need closer industry-government collaboration for these technologies to achieve scale.

One more area that we need to work on is reducing the costs of modules and inverters and enhancing their efficiency. As the costs of modules and investors are going down, so are the bidding prices. Though production costs have declined on account of cheaper capital, technological innovations and falling prices of equipment, inefficiency continues to be a major hurdle before the solar industry. While the best panels in the market convert at the most 35% of sunlight into energy, most modules have an efficiency rate of just 15%. Many companies are working on more and more compact modules and inverters to make them more efficient.

Solar developers also need to guard against the tendency of depending too much on grants, especially if they are looking at commercially viable ventures. Though the solar industry is supported by government incentives like lower duties, tax concessions and guaranteed purchases by state utilities, these concessions can be withdrawn as and when the government’s financial considerations get the better of its commitment to clean and green energy. Facing severe fiscal deficit, the central government may not stick to its obligation to fund mega-projects, leaving cash-starved state governments in no position to buy power from either the Centre or private developers. To counter this situation, solar developers should do everything to make their businesses commercially sustainable without depending overly on grants.

State utilities, too, should take responsibility and rise to the occasion. The surge in production of solar power should be matched with large-scale guaranteed purchases from state utilities despite the drain this costlier source of energy puts on their finances. In the long term, the answer lies in transforming state utilities into financially robust profit- making enterprises through power reforms. On a positive note, the gap in the cost of conventional and renewable energy is gradually narrowing down, thanks to technological breakthroughs and economies of scale.

Last but not the least, fast-paced advancements pose another big challenge. Every two- three year we have a new technology, which makes the old one obsolete. This is what big developers are doing to stay ahead of competition. Blessed with abundant sunshine and vast tracts of non-cultivable land to run solar projects, India—given the conducive business environment and favorable government policies—can virtually become a global solar superpower if it takes these challenges head on.

Nov 2018 | Hartek Power Bags 400-KV Power Grid Order

The project would spread over three states encompassing Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan

Chandigarh, November 28, 2018: Hartek Power, the engineering procurement construction (EPC) arm of the Chandigarh-based Hartek Group, has bagged a 400-kilovolt (KV) substation project from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).

The project would spread over three states encompassing Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. It will cater to a population of about seven crore and is scheduled for completion by February 2020, the company said.

The scope of work of the project entails complete execution of the substation package involving the conversion of fixed-line reactors into switchable line reactors with the purpose of curtailing outages.

PGCIL is heavily investing in upgrading low- and high-voltage substations to extra-high-voltage substations to ease pressure on transmission lines caused by rapid surges in electricity flow.

Sep 2018 | Hartek Solar Bags Rooftop Solar Projects in Chandigarh

“Hartek Solar has secured most of the orders from owners of kanal houses, which have started opting for rooftop solar since the UT administration made solar systems mandatory for all buildings with an area of 500 sq yd and above,” Hartek Solar Director Simarpreet Singh said in a release here.

Chandigarh, September 13, 2018: Hartek Solar said Thursday it has bagged orders for more than 100-kWp rooftop solar projects from about 25 households in the city.

“Hartek Solar has secured most of the orders from owners of kanal houses, which have started opting for rooftop solar since the UT administration made solar systems mandatory for all buildings with an area of 500 sq yd and above,” Hartek Solar Director Simarpreet Singh said in a release here.

“While owners of kanal houses are required to install only 1-kWp systems, most of the rooftop plants being installed by us in kanal houses are in the 5-kWp range, which is an encouraging sign pointing towards the greater acceptance of rooftop solar among residents in recent months,” he further said.

With the November 17 deadline set by the UT administration for installing rooftop plants in kanal houses still two months away, the company expects more orders to come, he said.

Hartek Group Chairman and Managing Director Hartek Singh said Hartek Solar would be targeting at least 100 rooftop solar installations in the city alone in the next six months, covering the residential, commercial and industrial categories.

July 2018 | Hartek Power Bags Substation Order From HSIIDC

While the deadline for the Kundli project is November 30, the project at Rai is stipulated for completion by February 28 next year.

Chandigarh, July 10, 2018: Chandigarh-based Hartek Power has bagged an order from Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) for executing a 132-KV substation project at Kundli and Rai in Sonipat district of Haryana.

To be commissioned at a cost of Rs 9.17 crore, this HSIIDC project will involve designing, manufacturing, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of 16/20-MVA and 132/11-KV Transformer Bay Extension at the existing 132-KV substation in Rai and Kundli on turnkey basis, a company statement said.

While the deadline for the Kundli project is November 30, the project at Rai is stipulated for completion by February 28 next year.

Hartek Group Director Strategy Simarpreet Singh said, “Electricity being a backbone of industrial sector, this substation will play an important role by catering to 80 per cent of the industry in Rai and Kundli in Haryana.” The company, which also provides complete solar EPC solutions, has connected 1,143 MW of solar power to the grid for leading independent power producers., it added.

May 2018 | Hartek Solar Launches Customized Rooftop Solar Kits

Hartek Solar’s rooftop solar kits come with an option of a unique remote sensing technology tailor-made for small-scale solar plants.

Chandigarh, May 19, 2018: Solar power solutions provider Hartek Solar on Friday launched customised 5-10 kWp plug-and-play rooftop solar kits suitable for kanal houses, housing societies, nursing homes, small commercial establishments, hotels and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Founder-director Simarpreet Singh said the company plans to install at least 100 units in residential, commercial and industrial areas over the next six months, targeting the Tricity as well as industrial clusters in Ludhiana.

Hartek Solar’s rooftop solar kits come with an option of a unique remote sensing technology tailor-made for small-scale solar plants. The launch comes at a time when the Chandigarh administration has decided not to extend the deadline for installing solar plants in houses, commercial and industrial units beyond May 18, 2018.

The administration had made installation of rooftop solar power plants mandatory for houses and commercial and industrial units measuring 500 sq yards and above. “Around 1,000 applications have been received for solar rooftop installation against a capacity of 7,500 such building structures,” Santosh Kumar, director, environment, science and technology and renewable energy of the Chandigarh administration, said. “Those who have not sought installation of solar rooftop plants in Chandigarh now face action for violation of building bylaws.”

Hartek Group is looking at the potential for growth in the rooftop market in the country. Singh said these plug-and-play kits, which will cater to both gross metering and net metering consumers, promise to be a game changer in driving the demand for rooftop solar owing to the advantages they offer. Not only do these solar kits offer lower labour and maintenance costs on account of the optimised design, their non-invasive structure with roof protection pads also rules out any damage to reinforced cement concrete (RCC) roofs, he said. Moreover, the per unit generation cost from
solar works out to be less than half as compared with diesel gensets.

Best suited for 1-kanal houses, a typical 5-kWp solar kit can produce 20 units of electricity every day, which is enough to run 10 fans, three laptops, three television sets, one air-conditioner, one refrigerator, 10 CFL and 10 LED bulbs and even a microwave oven and a 1-Hp water pump.

Hartek Group chairman Hartek Singh said, “We are going all out to tap the small-scale solar market by adopting a cluster-based approach to reach out to end consumers. Besides approaching commercial establishments and medical, hotel and restaurant associations, we will also be conducting door-to-door campaigns to draw on the residential category.”

There are 1.75 lakh electricity consumers in the domestic category in Chandigarh. While shortage of space in the city is a major constraint, the adoption of rooftop solar in the residential category can make all the difference, he said.

Feb 2018 | Hartek Solar Executes Remote Monitoring-Based 10-kWp Rooftop Solar Project in City

Ø The 10-kWp plant comprising 320 Wp modules will generate 13,500 units of electricity annually, which will offset 15 Tonnes of carbon dioxide

Ø Its hi-tech remote monitoring system will give regular updates on plant performance through web interfaces and smart phones, have quicker fault detection tools to optimise generation

Chandigarh, February 28, 2018: Marking the commissioning of its second rooftop solar project in the city, Hartek Solar Pvt Ltd, the rooftop solar arm of the Chandigarh-based Hartek Group, has successfully executed a 10- kWp project at Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Sector 32, Chandigarh. Based on state-of-the-art remote monitoring system, the project was inaugurated by Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher today.

The 10-kWp system comprising 320 Wp modules will generate 13,500 units of electricity annually, which will offset 15 Tonnes of carbon dioxide. Equipped with a 10-KVA inverter, the 10-kWp plant will have a hi-tech remote monitoring system which will give regular updates through web interfaces and smart phones on the performance of the plant, aid lower downtimes and have quicker fault detection tools aimed at optimising generation.

Known for its unmatched product design and high-quality standards, the company has set up a special non-invasive structure to ensure more robust working of the plant.

Hailing the achievement, Hartek Group Chairman and Managing Director Hartek Singh said, “The seamless execution of this project is a result of great teamwork. We are striving to emerge as a formidable rooftop player by focusing on operation and maintenance.”

Hartek Solar has installed 13.75-MW solar PV projects so far. It had successfully executed the city’s very first solar project in the commercial category, a 436-kWp plant at Chandigarh Technology Park in May 2016.

Feb 2018 | Hartek Power Surpasses 1-GW Installed Solar Capacity

Punjab-based solar power solutions provider Hartek Group today said its power system business surpassed the 1,000-mw-capacity-milestone in solar installations across the country.

Chandigarh, February 13, 2018: Punjab-based solar power solutions provider Hartek Group today said its power system business surpassed the 1,000-mw-capacity-milestone in solar installations across the country. “From 598 mw capacity as of March 2017, solar power system EPC projects executed by Hartek Power have now gone up to 1,143 mw, registering nearly a twofold growth,” company said in a statement.

Involving 15 substations of up to 220 KV, the 545 mw projects executed in the current financial year include a 100 -mw project in Telangana, 50- mw project in MP, 25 mw project in Punjab, six projects totaling 180-mw in Karnataka, two projects of 140-mw in Rajasthan and four projects of 50-mw in Uttar Pradesh. “With other 285 mw projects under execution, we are expected to reach the 1,500 mw-mark by March 2018,” chairman and managing director Hartek Singh said.

With presence in 18 states, it ventured into the solar power systems domain just six years ago and is focusing on the Southern markets and new geographies like Jharkhand and Bihar to consolidate its position now, he said. “At the same time, we are strengthening our hold in Punjab, Rajasthan and UP where we’ve traditionally been doing well,” Singh added.