Solar-plus-Storage Makes Tangible Difference in Puerto Rico Recovery Efforts

With a reported 150,000 homes and businesses in Puerto Rico still waiting for electricity since it was lost six month ago during Hurricanes Irma and Maria, small successes with solar-plus-storage installations are making a big difference in ongoing recovery efforts.

Hawaii-based Blue Planet Energy yesterday said that it has completed installation of two ferrous phosphate battery systems for storage of solar power at sites that are central to recovery and electrification efforts in Puerto Rico.

Record Low Solar Tariff in India Puts Thermal and Wind Power on Notice

The Rewa 750MW solar tender in Madhya Pradesh, India, saw tariffs plunge to a record low of INR 2.97/kWh (US$0.044) after a lengthy online auction. Acme Solar, Mahindra Renewables and Solenergi Power won 250MW each. The tariff has an escalation of INR 0.05/kWh (US$0.0007) for 15 years, resulting in a levelized tariff of INR 3.29/kWh (US$0.049) for 25 years, 24% below the previous low of INR 4.34/kWh (US$0.065) as seen in NTPC’s Rajasthan tender in January 2016. But adjusted for lower cost of equipment and changes in other parameters, the fall is only about 2%.