A new deal to deliver baseload electricity in India using concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology illustrates once again that setting national renewable energy targets can boost green jobs numbers and deliver profits, both fiscal and environmental.
India’s National Solar Mission aims at developing 20,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy projects by 2020, with 1000MW to be completed by 2013, and anticipates the cost of solar power reaching grid parity by 2022.
Indian sustainable solutions company Thermax Ltd., has announced it will partner with California-based Amonix Inc., to bring proven, concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology for a new source of clean power generation to India.
Under the deal Amonix will supply high-performance solar power generation systems that the company claims offer a 31 percent solar panel efficiency and 29 percent system efficiency, significantly higher than competing solar technologies such as crystalline silicon and thin film. Thermax will be the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner to provide installation in India.
Managing Director of Thermax, M. S. Unnikrishnan, says large-scale thermal CPV technology is the most efficient way for India to meet its climate goals and Amonix is the world leader in its field.
“Concentrated PV will be a game changer in solar power generation technologies because of the substantially high efficiency it offers. India, with its above average solar incidence, is an ideal location for CPV technology and we expect our National Solar Mission to act as a catalyst for its growth.”
Amonix CPV systems use dual-axis tracking with advanced optics to focus sunlight onto multijunction solar cells, which were originally developed for aerospace applications. The technology requires no water for power production and uses land more efficiently compared to conventional solar technologies, allowing CPV systems to deliver more energy output from a given area.
“This [deal] provides us the opportunity and access to the Indian market that is greatly suited for CPV solar power systems,” commented Chief Executive Officer, Brian Robertson.
