SOLAR EFFICIENCY
Mundra to Chile, Adani amps up the volume of its heavy metal rock
Adani Group has signed an agreement with Codelco to explore a copper project in Chile. This partnership aims to ensure a secure supply of copper for its operations in Mundra, Gujarat. The agreement comes amid rising copper demand in India and a need for more imports.
Clean energy gains fail to lift India's climate ranking
India's renewable energy initiatives have progressed, yet the country has dropped in the Climate Change Performance Index rankings. While India met its non-fossil fuel targets ahead of schedule, the challenge of generating electricity persists. The report highlights progress in solar and wind energy capacities and emphasizes the need for better storage solutions. Experts suggest that India should establish new, more ambitious goals for renewable energy.
In 1954, Bell Labs scientists Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson unveiled a solar battery that helped advance solar-powered technology
On April 25, 1954, Bell Telephone Laboratories made a significant breakthrough by introducing a solar battery designed to power telephone systems. The focus was on enhancing efficiency, enabling solar cells to transform 6% of sunlight into usable electricity. While it started as a specialized technology, solar energy has seen remarkable adoption, with projections suggesting that by 2026, it will represent a major share of new energy production.
Tata Power Q2 Results: PAT jumps 33% YoY to Rs 1,652 crore, revenue rises 26%
Tata Power reported its highest-ever quarterly profit of Rs 1,652 crore in Q2 FY27, up 33% year-on-year. Revenue surged 26% to Rs 19,886 crore, supported by renewables, generation, distribution and a record Rs 10,000 crore first-half investment.
India weighs replacing old wind turbines to boost capacity by 50% without acquiring land
India is exploring a plan to replace ageing, smaller wind turbines with larger, more efficient machines to increase generation at existing sites without acquiring additional land. The Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association estimates that 5-8 GW of old wind capacity could be repowered immediately, potentially raising capacity at these sites by nearly 50%. The initiative is being discussed with states including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka as India seeks to accelerate wind power deployment and meet its clean energy targets.
Enough of COP Jamborees
Falling solar and battery costs have made renewable energy commercially competitive with coal in India. As COP31 begins in Turkiye, the focus should shift to accelerating electrification of transport, promoting agrivoltaics, investing in transmission and grid stability, and ensuring reliable payments by discoms to sustain the country's green transition.
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ETtech Deals Digest: Eloelo leads as weekly funding rises to $142 million, down 35% on-year
Eloelo led deal activity with $80 million, followed by Peppermint Robotics at $10.6 million, altM at $10.3 million, Two Point O Capital at $10 million, and PowerUp Money at $10 million. Crane Venture Partners was among the most active investors, backing Peppermint Robotics and Armatrix. Omnivore invested in altM and Two Point O Capital, while Flourish Ventures backed PowerUp Money.
Investors in other markets would be envious of India multiples: Rich Handler, chief executive of Jefferies
Jefferies CEO Rich Handler believes Indian equities remain reasonably valued despite the market correction and says easing long-term capital gains taxes could attract foreign investors. He sees opportunities in India's AI and data centre sectors, argues that global capital outflows reflect external pressures, and believes concerns about an AI bubble warrant a healthy pause rather than alarm.
The man behind Lord’s Mark: Dr. Sachidanand Upadhyay features in TIME Magazine for the third consecutive year
Dr. Sachidanand Upadhyay has gained recognition from TIME Magazine for his remarkable contributions to technology and innovation. Lord’s Mark Industries Limited is spearheading key projects in healthcare, defence, and sustainability. With critical product registrations achieved, the company is poised for international growth. Upadhyay envisions transforming India into a prominent technology and manufacturing hub, emphasizing the importance of homegrown innovation in the global marketplace.
In a divided world, COP31 aims for agreement on electrification
COP31, kicking off November 9 in Antalya, Turkey, is all set to spotlight the global push for electrification. With a target to raise electricity's contribution to final energy demand to 35% by 2035, nations are keenly examining how electrification can effectively curb fossil fuel use.
Jai Balaji Group plans Rs 6000 crore investment in West Bengal for steel and renewable energy sectors
Jai Balaji Group has announced an investment proposal of around Rs 6,000 crore in West Bengal. This investment focuses on specialized steel for railways, defense and aerospace applications, along with renewable energy initiatives. The expansion is expected to create over 20,000 employment opportunities in the region. Additionally, the company aims to enhance its production capabilities in precision engineering and specialized copper products.
Rs 600 for 1,000 km journey: Nitin Gadkari proposes Rs 3 per unit for EV charging at night and Rs 5 during the day to boost EV adoption
Nitin Gadkari recommended varying electricity rates for electric vehicle charging to enhance usage in Maharashtra. He indicated that costs for traveling in electric vehicles are significantly lower than petrol or diesel cars. Gadkari mentioned the potential for solar power to support cheaper night-time electricity. He provided updates on alternative fuel technologies including electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Additionally, Gadkari discussed biofuels, biogas, and their role in environmental sustainability.
In 2024, Cornell researchers grew radishes and radicchio between solar panels near Albany; shade reduced light and crop biomass, with radishes more affected
In a groundbreaking study, Cornell University researchers evaluated agrivoltaics in Albany, New York, focusing on crops like radishes and radicchio. Their findings revealed that solar panel shading led to considerable reductions in light and biomass. With agrivoltaic land usage in the U.S. having more than doubled since 2020, they advocate for strategic adjustments in planting schedules and crop choices to optimize synergy between agriculture and solar energy.
India’s solar components market to more than double to $7.8 billion by March 2028: CEEW
India's market for solar module components is projected to exceed $7.8 billion by March 2028. This growth is primarily driven by increased domestic manufacturing capacity and rising demand. Planned expansions of production facilities are crucial for meeting anticipated requirements. Additionally, ensuring consistent quality and reliable supply chains will enhance competitiveness against imports. The study emphasizes the importance of clear standards and regulations for the solar components industry.
EAM Jaishankar discusses economic partnership, CETA with UK’s Burnham on CHOGM sidelines
S Jaishankar met UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Antigua and Barbuda for CHOGM 2026 discussions. They focused on strengthening economic partnerships under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of digital solutions and climate initiatives during a Commonwealth meeting. He highlighted local distribution networks and the role of the Indian business community in fostering connections.
After Japan and Korea, now Singapore: UP's big plan to build a foreign-style city near Noida airport; check location, sectors and investment plans
Uttar Pradesh is planning to develop a dedicated 'Singapore City' in Sector 7 near Noida International Airport at Jewar to attract foreign investment and boost regional growth. Following talks between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and a Singapore business delegation, the proposed project will focus on logistics, semiconductors, data centres, AI, green energy and modern urban infrastructure.
Renewable energy key to India's energy security, German envoy Jasper Wieck says
Germany underscores the critical role of renewable energy in fortifying energy security for India. During recent discussions, German Ambassador Jasper Wieck highlighted the necessity for India to domestically produce solar panels and batteries. The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit is instrumental in establishing partnerships between Indian and German firms for local production.
These large-caps have ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos and an upside potential of over 25%
Oil prices matter to the Indian economy, and the market responded with a smart rally as Brent crude cooled significantly on Monday. The rally was broad-based and involved all segments. But too much should not be read into one day’s showing. The thing to watch remains the results of the US mid-term elections which will be known in India through Wednesday. It will decide which way the market will move in the coming days and weeks.
Climate platform Two Point O raises $10 million led by Transition Venture Capital
The company plans to enter battery energy storage while expanding its existing offerings in solar power, energy efficiency, and wastewater treatment. It will also target customers in sectors such as data centres, automobile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, where energy and water consumption are significant operating costs.
See data centres less as energy-sucking private warehouses, and more as quasi-public utilities
We need data centres. They run far more than ChatGPT. Search, banking, streaming, social networks, cloud software, government services, hospitals and almost every company's digital operations depend on them. AI simply raises the requirement dramatically. Google says its Vizag hub will provide new subsea connectivity for India. IEA says electricity use by AI-focused data centres jumped 50% in 2025. A country without serious compute infrastructure risks becoming a consumer, rather than a producer, of the AI revolution.
India's 500 GW RE target hinges on LDES scale-up; FY28 viability gap funding key enabler: IESA report
With a target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, India recognizes the urgent need for long-duration energy storage solutions. The India Energy Storage Alliance stresses the pivotal role of viability gap funding to promote quicker adoption of these technologies. Current data reveals substantial solar energy curtailment caused by grid restrictions, highlighting the necessity for strategic policy support and innovative business paradigms.
India climate-tech funding may reach USD 1.9 billion in 2026 as growth capital expands: Report
India's climate-tech and deep-tech sectors are expected to attract new investments by 2027 due to various factors. The report indicates that funding has been heavily focused on larger transactions, which raises concerns regarding smaller companies. Opportunities for investment exist in diverse areas such as deep technology and energy storage, highlighting potential for growth. Government initiatives are increasingly supporting this transition, as they disburse significant funding for projects.
Vedanta Iron Q2 Results: Loss narrows to Rs 324 crore, revenue declines 2% YoY
Vedanta Iron and Steel narrowed its Q2 FY27 loss to Rs 324 crore from Rs 477 crore a year earlier, while revenue declined 1.7% to Rs 2,742 crore. EBITDA rose 56% to Rs 83 crore, supported by improved steel realisations and efficiency gains. The company also reported record half-yearly pig iron production.
Coal India’s H1 capex rises 27% to Rs 7,966 crore, beats target
Coal India Ltd has reported a capital expenditure increase of 27% to Rs 7,966 crore for the first half. The company surpassed its H1 target of Rs 7,286 crore, achieving 109% of the planned outlay. Significant investments focused on mine infrastructure development, land acquisition, and diversification initiatives. Over Rs 1,000 crore was spent on operational readiness of mining projects during this period.
Flexible workspace providers expand solar capacity
In a significant move towards sustainability, managed workspace providers like IndiQube and WeWork India are ramping up their investments in solar energy. With plans to evolve towards renewable power in the near future, WeWork India specifically aims to establish a large-scale solar power plant in Karnataka. Similarly, Table Space is also enhancing its renewable energy capabilities through strategic collaborations and investments.
Torrent Power says 3,000-MW Karjat pumped storage project outside Bhimashankar Sanctuary
The company in a statement said the project, which will supply power to Maharashtra, would support grid stability as the share of solar and other renewable energy rises, while reducing reliance on coal-fired generation during evening peak hours. It also rejected reports of tree felling inside the sanctuary, describing them as based on incorrect information.
Microtek invests over Rs 400 cr to accelerate solar business growth
Microtek has announced a significant investment over Rs 400 crore for its solar business expansion in Jaipur. The new solar panel manufacturing plant is expected to become operational by November 2026 and will support the company's energy vision. The company is also highlighting its new Battery Energy Storage System to improve energy management for households.
In 2019, Purdue began growing corn and soybeans around solar panels in Indiana; after 4 years, even the most shaded corn plots lost only 7.7 percent of their yield
Purdue University researchers have been examining how solar panels affect crop production since 2019, particularly focusing on corn and soybeans, two key crops in America. Their experiments show that significant crop yields are still possible despite shading from solar arrays. The study aims to refine solar panel designs that provide energy while also benefiting agriculture, paving the way for solar energy to support irrigation and farming operations.
Vikram Solar to roll out first cells from 9 GW Tamil Nadu facility in December 2026
Vikram Solar’s 9 GW N-type TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility in Gangaikondan, Tamil Nadu, is on track to begin production in December 2026. The plant will be commissioned in phases, reduce the company’s dependence on imported cells and advance its integration roadmap towards domestic manufacturing from ingots and wafers to finished modules.
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