US thin-film manufacturer, First Solar is to build a 45MW solar power plant in the state of Telangana, India.
The site is to be the company’s first solar development in India. The project is to be constructed in the Mahabubnagar district, in the former southern half of Andhra Pradesh, the new Indian state of Telangana
“The state of Telangana has an energy deficit that demands immediate creation of incremental generation capacity,” said Sujoy Ghosh, country head for First Solar India. “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,” he added.
Electricity from the plant is to be sold to the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana (TSSPDCL) with a tariff of INR6.49per kWh, agreed in a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
The plant is scheduled for completion by May 2015.
Once complete the 45MW solar project could power thousands of homes and help reduce Telangana’s energy deficit by utilising the ample solar conditions of the state.
First Solar enjoyed early success in India but struggled in a recent solar capacity auction. First Solar is currently a prominent supplier of thin-film modules, but said in May that its existing projects are under threat due to a proposed US$0.11/W anti dumping duty on its modules.
