US-based thin film solar module manufacturer and one of the largest developers of utility scale solar projects worldwide First Solar recently announced plans to set up a solar power generation project of 45 MW capacity in Telangana through its Indian subsidiary.
The company’s first development project in the country will supply electricity through the grid to Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana State Limited at a levelized tariff of Rs. 6.49/kWh for a period of 20 years.
The company said that the project, which includes construction at two different sites in the Mahabubnagar district, was expected to commence commercial operation by May 2015. Mahabubnagar is the largest district in Telangana in terms of area.
“The state of Telangana has an energy deficit that demands immediate creation of incremental generation capacity. The excellent solar resource in the state combined with our CdTe thin film module technology that is ideally suited for hot climates like India, allows us to bid tariffs that brings solar energy pricing to parity with diesel/gas and potentially imported coal, for the consumers across all segments. We are optimistic that the state will enhance their plans for creating a higher deployment of solar in the overall energy mix to address the energy deficit in a sustainable manner,” said Sujoy Ghosh, Country Head for First Solar India.
Ghosh added that construction of the project was expected to begin by October this year.
On completion, the project is expected to produce approximately 86,880 MWh of electricity each year which will be sufficient to meet the needs of over 92,000 average homes in the state.
First Solar has a global project pipeline of more than 2,500 MW.
Meanwhile, the Telangana government has decided to fast track solar power projects keeping in view the long-term power requirements of the state. The Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, in partnership with the Solar Energy Corporation of India, proposes to set up an integrated 1,000 MW solar power generation park in Mahabubnagar district.
Good to know that Telengana is also making a move towards its own sustainable sources of energy. This small steps will ultimately lead to a better greener India…!!