Sustainability Outlook Headlines

French Government Plans Solar Energy Tender, Modifiable Rates, Besson Says

France plans to start tenders for large solar projects and adopt a “modifiable” system for the tariffs that utilities pay for the renewable power, according to Industry Minister Eric Besson.

“We are planning a mixed system,” Besson told an energy conference in Paris today. Tenders could be used for ground- based solar projects, while regulated tariffs for smaller installations may vary depending on demand from industry to develop them, he said.

“Prices will decrease depending on the number of projects proposed,” Besson said. “This isn’t a system of quotas.”

France in... Read more..

Date : Feb 12

Source: Bloomberg

Lanco Infratech Plans to Set Up $300 Million Solar Manufacturing Plant

Lanco Infratech Ltd., an Indian energy and infrastructure company, plans to build a plant in Chhattisgarh to produce purified silicon, cells and other components for solar photovoltaic facilities.

The plant in Rajnandgaon district will have a capacity of 250 megawatts a year and will produce ingots, wafers, photovoltaic cells, modules and polysilicon, the company said in an e-mailed statement.

The first phase of the project will require an investment of 13.7 billion rupees ($300 million) and will start production by 2012, it said.

The plant will be located within a... Read more..

Date : Feb 12

Source: Bloomberg

EU energy commissioner unwilling to push for 30 per cent carbon cuts

Guenther Oettinger, the EU's energy commissioner, has signaled opposition to British, French and German calls to cut carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2020.

Last year, the UK, French and German governments, as well as a large coalition of businesses and investors pushed the European Commission to raise the EU target of carbon cuts to 30 per cent from 20 per cent. They argued that it would give European industry a headstart in its race with China to dominate the rapidly growing global market for low-carbon technology.

However, the Guardian reports that Oettinger... Read more..

Date : Feb 12

Source: PennEnergy

UK solar panels for Kolkata slums

A British renewable energy major is providing photovoltaic solar panels and other equipment as part of the Indian government''s plan to provide free shelter in the slums of Kolkata and other parts of the country.

Based in Flintshire, Wales, eco-retailer Allbrite UK, is supplying the equipment for ''housing pods'' being developed by the Indian government to provide sustainable housing for the poor.

The pods will be used in poverty-stricken parts of India, starting in the slums of Calcutta, and could also be used to provide emergency accommodation in the aftermath of natural... Read more..

Date : Feb 11

Source: MSN India

India can generate 68,000 MW power from renewable sources: WB

The World Bank today said 68,000 MW of power costing less than Rs 6 per unit can be generated from renewable energy sources, which can play an important role in increasing India's energy security.

A report by the multilateral funding agency said that the 68,000 MW of wind, hydro and biomass energy can be harnessed at less than Rs 6 per unit.

"Developing indigenous renewable energy sources, which have low marginal costs of generation, are more economically viable in the long run," the study --Potential of Renewable Energy in India -- said.

India's electricity demand is... Read more..

Date : Feb 11

Source: Economic Times

US, India identify areas for tech exchange in clean energy

The US-India Energy Cooperation Program (ECP) and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have identified many areas in clean energy and energy-efficient sectors where industry-specific pilot projects and technology exchange projects could be undertaken and funded, a statement said on Tuesday. The areas identified are in solar, renewables, unconventional gas, biomass and wind sectors, it said. The USTDA delegation accompanying the US Commerce Secretary, Mr Gary Locke, as part of the high tech US trade mission to India, apprised the ECP members on the formation and long-term objectives... Read more..

Date : Feb 11

Source: Hindu Business Line

Moser Baer in solar tie-up talks with foreign firms

Moser Baer India Ltd (MOSR.BO) is in talks with foreign players to partner in its solar business, a top executive said on Friday.

"They have interests, we have the same interests, not only in manufacturing but right up the entire value chain," Chief Financial Officer Yogesh Mathur said, but decline further details.

Indian government's push to use domestically made components in solar projects are forcing many companies to set up new plants and expand aggressively in the country, and also opens the door for foreign tie-ups

Date : Feb 11

Source: Reuters India

Symposium on Global Green Cities of the 21st Century to Be Held in San Francisco

Organizers and sponsors of the Global Green Cities of the 21st Century: Evolving Models for Sustainable Urban Design today announced that the symposium will take place Feb. 23-25 at the San Francisco JW Marriott. With the goal of fostering sustainable urban development and design, the landmark symposium will shed light on the development of green cities. Gavin Newsom, lieutenant governor of California, will deliver the opening remarks on Feb. 23.

The symposium will feature a high-level exchange of ideas and information among elected officials, planners, researchers,... Read more..

Date : Feb 11

Source: Trading Markets

Ragpickers get government nod for waste management practices

The country’s ragpickers have expressed “absolute happiness” in having found mention in a rule notified by the Ministry of Environment and... Read more..

Date : Feb 11

Source: Indian Express

India is fifth largest wind energy producer: Anand Sharma

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said that India is today fifth largest wind energy producer in the world and 8th in terms of investments made in clean energy technologies.

Inaugurating 7th edition of Eco-Products International Fair (EPIF 2011) and 19th International Engineering Trade Fair (IETF), here today, Sharma informed that globally, investments in clean energy have growth by as much as 230 per cent in the last four years and are touching 200 billion dollar.

"Within the manufacturing sector, we need to pay special focus to the development of... Read more..

Date : Feb 11

Source: New Kerala

Vestas to Unveil 6-Megawatt Offshore Turbine in March, CEO Says

Vestas Wind Systems A/S will unveil a new offshore wind turbine, its biggest yet, at the end of next month, the company’s chief executive said.

“The 6-megawatt turbine will be marketed and presented here in London on the 30th of March,” Ditlev Engel, CEO of the Randers, Denmark-based company, said today in a London interview. He declined to give more details.

The turbine has a greater electricity-generating capacity than any machine currently commercially producing sea-based wind power. Companies including REpower Systems AG and Areva Wind GmbH have commercialized 5-megawatt... Read more..

Date : Feb 10

Source: Bloomberg

Morf India Wins Unesco - Water Digest Award For The Second Successive Year

MORF INDIA LIMITED, an ISO certified and CRISIL rated public limited company has once again won the UNESCO Water Digest Award for the year 2010-11. UNESCO Water Digest Award has been awarded this time to MORF for distinguished domestic project executions and for the outstanding contribution in the field of water in India.

Mr.K. Sukumar, Head-Corporate Strategy, MORF INDIA said “UNESCO-Water Digest award a second time has only reinforced our position as a formidable player in the water treatment industry. This award for distinguished domestic project executions will help us further... Read more..

Date : Feb 10

Source: PRLog

Climate change to cause more migrations in Asia Pacific: ADB

More and more people from Asia and the Pacific region are expected to migrate in the coming years, as climate change is expected to result in extreme weather conditions, according to ADB.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB)today said that typhoons, cyclones, floods and drought are forcing more and more people to migrate.

The multilateral lender noted that natural calamities in countries such as Malaysia, Pakistan, China and the Philippines, caused temporary or long-term dislocation of millions.

"This process is set to accelerate in coming decades as climate change leads... Read more..

Date : Feb 10

Source: Zee News

Trinidad seeks India's investment in energy search

Trinidad and Tobago wants Indian, Chinese and Brazilian investment in its on-shore and off-shore energy development.

Finance Minister Winston Dookeran told an international energy conference here that Trinidad and Tobago's promotional effort for new investment in the on-shore and off-shore development must now expand our global reach to include Indian,Chinese and Brazilian investment prospects.

'As such, a new era of economic diplomacy will now inform our efforts to vigorously seek investment to support the new direction in our development strategy,' adding that no longer... Read more..

Date : Feb 10

Source: MSN India

First Solar to build 250 MW plant in Nevada

U.S. solar company First Solar Inc (FSLR.O) said on Wednesday it will build a 250-megawatt plant in Nevada that will supply enough electricity to power about 80,000 homes.

California utility Southern California Edison will purchase the plant's output, the companies said.

The project, called Silver State South, will be located on 2,500 acres of public land near Primm, Nevada. It will begin producing energy in 2014 and will be fully operational by May 2017, the companies said.

First Solar's cadmium telluride "thin film" panels, which are cheaper to produce than... Read more..

Date : Feb 10

Source: Reuters India

Moser Baer Starts Production Of Junction Boxes For Solar PV Modules

Moser Baer India Ltd. said it had commenced production of junction boxes, a critical component in solar PV installations, at its Greater Noida facility. This was possible by utilizing its existing assets and core competencies along with the new know-how of Yukita Electric Wire Co.

The capacity of this facility is 2.5 million per annum, which has been achieved at a low incremental capex cost. These junction boxes would cater to the requirements of both domestic as well as global solar PV market through Yukita's global marketing and sales work.

The facility can cater to the... Read more..

Date : Feb 10

Source: RTT News

Suzlon Energy submits DPR for Rs 600-cr wind power project

After a long delay, Suzlon Energy Ltd has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Orissa government for a 99 MW wind power plant at Damanjodi in Koraput district to be set up at a cost of around Rs 600 crore.

The company submitted the DPR after the state government cracked the whip on it for inordinate delay in submitting the report.

The gross potential for wind power in the state has been estimated at 1700 MW while the technical potential is assessed at 800 MW by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy.

The Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency... Read more..

Date : Feb 9

Source: Business Standard

Schott Gets Record Thin-Film Modules Order From Premier Solar of India

Schott AG, a German maker of solar components, obtained its largest order to date for modules using thin-film technology from India’s Premier Solar Systems Pvt.

Schott Solar Thin Film GmbH will deliver 200,000 photovoltaic modules amounting to 20 megawatts of capacity to Hyderabad-based Premier Solar, the German company said yesterday in a statement on its website.

Mainz-based Schott will supply the first 10 megawatts this year and the remainder in 2012.

The order is the largest to date for Schott’s solar unit in Asia and also its biggest thin-film contract with a... Read more..

Date : Feb 9

Source: Bloomberg

US Wants India to Relax Trade Restrictions in its Solar Energy Sector

US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has expressed ‘great concern’ regarding India’s solar energy policies which restrict the import of imported solar panels and other equipment.

India launched the National Solar Mission which aims at installing 20,000 MW of power generation capacity by 2022. This would be achieved in three phases. During the first phase (till 2013), 1000 MW would be installed. This would include 500 MW of solar PV projects and 500 MW of solar thermal project. In addition, 100 MW of distributed solar power generation capacity would also be installed.

The... Read more..

Date : Feb 9

Source: CleanTechnica

Auto industry misusing the study to derail tighter emissions standards and encourage polluting diesel cars : CSE

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has pressed the alarm bells over the auto industry’s efforts to use a questionable study to deflect policy attention from vehicles, especially diesel cars. Titled ‘Air quality monitoring, emission inventory and source apportionment study for Indian cities’, this study has been released recently by the MoEF.

Says Anumita Roychowdhury, CSE’s executive director-research and advocacy and head of its air pollution control unit: “The automakers are selectively taking advantage of the weak science of the Delhi and Mumbai components of the study.... Read more..

Date : Feb 8

Source: Mynews India

Moser Baer Technologies and Universal Display Corporation Announce Technology & Licensing Agreement

Moser Baer Technologies Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Moser Baer India Ltd., and Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ: PANL), enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED(R) technology and materials, today announced that the two companies have agreed to terms of a Memorandum of Agreement for technology licensing, material supply and technology assistance to support Moser Baer Technologies' initiatives in white OLED lighting. This agreement follows a program that the two companies announced last year in which the companies received $4,000,000 from the U.S.... Read more..

Date : Feb 8

Source: CNBC

India bans plastic packaging of foodstuffs

India on Tuesday banned packaging of foodstuffs in recycled plastics or compostable plastics.

In a notification issued here India’s Environment Ministry also banned the use of plastics for packaging gutka and other tobacco products.

On 2nd February, India’s Apex court Supreme Court had refused to grant more time to the Centre for implementing the law to regulate the use of plastic for packaging tobacco products and asked it to notify that within two days.

Country’s Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, however, on Monday said it is impractical and undesirable to impose a... Read more..

Date : Feb 8

Source: Commodity Online

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) sponsored “Mission on Sustainable Growth” develops GreenCo Rating system for Indian industries

Mission on Sustainable Growth” (MSG) is a CII initiative for the industry towards realizing the objective of ecologically sustainable growth, and with the intention to promote and champion conservation of natural resources in Indian industry without compromising on high and accelerated growth.
“No country has so far developed a rating system that the industry has promoted. MSG (Mission on Sustainable Growth) has developed a path breaking rating system called the GreenCo Rating system through which India is starring at a great opportunity to become a benchmark for industry worldwide.... Read more..

Date : Feb 8

Source: Panchabuta

Louroux setting up 25MW Solar PV plant in Gujarat, India

Louroux Bio Energies Ltd, India, is setting up 25MW Solar PV power generation project in Gujarat, under the Gujarat State Solar Policy 2009. For this purpose, it has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), a Government of Gujarat undertaking.

The Project is being setup near Rajkot in Gujarat. Company has already signed an MOU for acquisition of 200 acres land required for the Project. The remaining formalities for acquiring land are expected to be completed before February 2011. The site has been selected keeping in mind highest irradiance... Read more..

Date : Feb 8

Source: PRLog

Virtual centre at IIT-B mooted to provide climate solutions

Alumni and directors of all IITshave proposed a virtual centre at IIT-Bombay for ClimateChange Science which would co-ordinate work of all environmentrelated faculty across these premier technology institutionsthrough a holistic approach.

Buzz up!Resolving to take on the defining challenges of ClimateChange in the 21st century, scientists and engineers here saidthere was an urgent need to take action for low carbon andclimate resilient development.

At a round table hosted by IIT-B last week-end, theyexplored how to channelise the knowledge and technologymanagement... Read more..

Date : Feb 8

Source: One India News