Staff Reporter

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has proposed the new feed-in tariff (FiT) rates for PV projects commissioned from January 29, 2012 until March 31, 2015. These new rates range from INR10.27 (US$0.21) to INR13.14 per kWh (US$0.268) and are applicable for ground-mounted, rooftop and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems. Should the proposed rates be confirmed, CSP projects will be eligible to receive levelized tariff payments between INR12.45 (US$0.252) and INR13.14 (US$0.266) per kWh, while systems over 100kW are in line for tariffs from INR10.37 (US$0.21) to INR10.92 (US$0.221) per kWh. Rooftop projects under 100kW will still receive the greatest assistance, with subsidies ranging from INR12.6 (US$0.255) to INR13.24 (US$0.268) per kWh. The deadline for feedback on the new FiT is December 1. Gujarat’s solar industry is booming at present and this is reflected in the GERC’s change of approach in terms of subsidies; previously PV had been eligible for higher tariffs than CSP, but with PV module and inverter prices continuing to fall, the commission is believed to feel project developers are deserving of less generous handouts. Another facet of the new FiT is phased subsidies. This will see large-scale PV and CSP projects receive roughly double the subsidy payment level during the first 12 years of operation than in the next 13 years. Tariff levels will also vary depending on whether or projects utilise an accelerated depreciation benefit. Since 2009, more than 80 companies have signed power purchase agreements worth an estimated 965MW in Gujarat. At first, progress was slow, with red tape and financial difficulties holding up developers. However, the state is finally beginning to deliver on some of its early promise – last month a 30MW system was completed in Banaskantha – and GERC expects many more to be commissioned by the year’s end.  

With an installed capacity of over 14,150 MW, India is currently the fifth largest market in the world for wind energy. Estimates put the available potential for wind energy at around 65,000 Mw which leaves a lot of room for expansion. India is being considered as a market of the future by many global wind energy majors who are lining up to enter the market. With an estimated wind potential of 8,591 Mw, Karnataka produces 1,576.2 Mw according to the World Institute for Sustainable Energy. While this places the state behind others like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat where wind energy has taken off on a bigger scale, there are many small producers. Windmill management is no easy job, however, as industry experts point out, it is a huge investment of financial resources and planning. “Windmill maintenance is a very demanding sector, it is not very easy to get up there and fix problems whenever they occur as there are no lifts,” said Bhagwant Divate. “Windmills need to function for 20 years which is their average life span. During this time they see strain on all their parts due to varied velocities, vibrations and idle time, and lubrication and sealants play an important part,” he added. The height of the windmill increases each MW of extra power it generates. Some windmills can reach up to 80 m in height with blades that spin up to 22 times per minute. Blade manufacture is a science that ensures proper functioning of the windmill. “A minor crack in the blade before installation can run up a bill of crores in repairs if installed improperly. It is very important to use a proper release agent when manufacturing,” said Gerard Lourduraj, Chem Trend. The release agent helps in freeing the blade from the mould in which it is cast without causing cracks in the blade. “Proper management of financial resources is essential for small players, they are strained by land expenses, lack of regulatory framework in the state for power sales to other states and inadequate government incentives, investment in proper machinery is very important,” added Divate. Express News Service.  

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