Premier Solar Systems electrifies 57 villages near Visakhapatnam...

 

Thanks to a project of Premier Solar Systems, headed by Surendra Pal Singh and his son Chiranjeev Singh Saluja, 57 villages near Visakhapatnam have finally got electricity.

Recently, the group was in the news for winning the International Solar Project, 2013 Award, given by the Renewable Energy World organisation, for its work in helping these villages, many residents of which had not even seen a light bulb, get electricity.

Surendra says, “Most of us take electricity for granted, but when you visit these villages, then you realise what you have got.”
Though the project was a government initiative that the company won a tender for, Surendra Pal Singh adds that the “the entire experience was gratifying”.

“According to the project, each village or hamlet was provided with a 2 kilowatt or 18 kilowatt solar array,” says Surendra.

“The stand-alone systems come with batteries. The batteries are charged for the entire day and when evening sets in people can use lights for five hours,” he says, adding, “We were asked to work on a support system, wherein people would get electricity for five hours, from six in the evening to 11.”

The project has alternately provided these villages with street lights, depending on the size of the village.

“This project will always remain special,” he says. But there were problems too. “The connectivity to these villages was anything but easy. We had to pass forests, cross rivers, ponds, marshes and then climb mountains. People had to carry the material on their heads or on huge poles and get across.”

There was another problem, “Most of the paths to the villages were through Naxal-affected areas. But no harm was done,” he says.

Surendra adds, “It feels surreal. To know that we have played a part in helping someone is a feeling beyond words.” He says that the group is also working on electrification of 39 villages near Khammam and Adilabad, apart from working on an island near Uganda.

“People need to realise the importance of solar energy. I see homes even in cities tapping solar energy in the next five years,” adds Surendra.

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Premier Solar ties up with US firm to invest $400 m in Andhra Pradesh...

 

Premier Solar has tied up with Chicago-based renewable energy company New Generation Power to set up solar farms in Andhra Pradesh.

The consortium, which plans to invest $400 million (Rs 2,500 crore) in the next couple of years, has already secured contracts to set up 70-MW capacity and will bid for another 245 MW under the Andhra Pradesh Solar Policy, which aims to build 1,000 MW in renewable capacity.

In the first phase, the consortium will install 70-MW solar farms in 14 locations in the State. "Funds have been tied up and the execution should be completed over the next 12 months," said Karthik Polsani, Premier CEO. The Hyderabad-based company is negotiating with US investors to get low-cost funding, he added.

The consortium has signed a power purchase agreement with the AP Government for 20 years. Mumbai-based WAAREE Group and Premier Solar will be the joint EPC contractors for the first phase.

New Generation , promoted by India-born Chirinjeev Kathuria, will hold a 74 per cent stake, while Premier will have the balance in the joint venture. There will a few more partners as the project implementation progresses, Polsani told Business Line.

New Generation is a diversified global developer, investor, owner and operator of energy infrastructure assets with focus on renewable energy. It is currently developing grid scale projects in Africa, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

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New Generation Power’s Consortium to be Awarded 315 Megawatt Power Purchase Agreement in India...

 

New Generation Power, a Chicago based renewable energy company, along with Premier Solar Group, a Hyderabad based solar company has signed one of the largest Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in India by a consortium. Under the Andhra Pradesh Solar Scheme, the open bid process will now be part of a 1,000 megawatt (MW) development plan that will be built out in the region.

Expected to cost roughly US$400 million over a period of 12 months, installations will spread across multiple sites in the State of Andhra Pradesh with PPA’s for 20 years. NGP’s valuable consortium will build, own and operate all of the plants.

The initial phase for the 70 MW PPA has been executed and development work has already begun. By the end of 2014, the entire 315 MW of solar projects will be completed. WAAREE Energies Limited has been awarded the exclusive EPC contract for 245 MW and Premier Solar/WAREE will be the joint EPC contractor for the initial 70 MW.

Long term financing for the project is being negotiated with various EXIM and other financial institutions.

WAAREE Group, a Mumbai based leading multi-technology company, along with Patriot Solar Group (PSG), will be setting up a joint-manufacturing facility in Gujarat, India that will be fully capable of supplying all product solutions and opportunities by the project’s completion.

“We are very happy with a partnership that will bring more green, sustainable energy to the world. WAAREE will bring its manufacturing and project execution skills to execute this project,” said Hitesh Doshi, Chairman of WAAREE Group.
“Patriot Solar Group is truly delighted to be a part of this world class team. Together with WAAREE Group, the production facilities for our full line of tracking, mounting and mobile fixed off-grid solar systems are already being developed,” said Patriot Solar’s President, Jeff Mathie.

“Premier Solar is proud to have won this large contract and partner with New Generation Power, on the largest solar development project in India. Premier will bring its project development and execution skills to get the project off the ground and ensure timely completion”, said Mr. Karthik Polsani, CEO of Premier Solar group. Premier’s co-development partners on this venture are RRE Power and Inspirra Energy, both US-based development firms.

"New Generation Power will build a world class solar facility that India will be proud to call its own that will create significant job opportunities and economic development for Andhra Pradesh. It’s an honor to be part of one of the largest solar farms globally in my native country," said Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, the Chairman of New Generation Power. NGP’s additional partner in this venture is Thermo Source.

NGP is currently developing grid scale projects in Africa, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

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