Reliance Indian solar projects bear fruit

• 12 years ago (2012-04-02)
• Junior Isles

North America 998 Renewables 752

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One of India’s largest solar projects, a 40 MW PV plant in Rajasthan, north-western India, has begun production. PV company First Solar has provided the 500 000 thin film modules that will help provide clean energy to Mumbai.

The plant was commissioned and funded by Reliance Power, and though covering 350 acres it has been completed in just five months.

The plant is expected to generate more than 60 GWh of electricity, making it one of India’s largest photovoltaic power plants in terms of energy generation. This project is the first of several Reliance projects currently in the pipeline that will use First Solar modules; part of a 100 MW module order placed last year.

More than 70 000 average Indian homes will be powered by the annual electricity generation from the development with nearly 60 000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions saved per year.

"We are proud to partner with Reliance on this milestone project," said Mike Ahearn, First Solar Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer.

"We applaud India on its visionary solar policies and Reliance Power for their leadership in implementing them, and we look forward to helping India realise its solar vision through this and future projects."

"This power plant demonstrates the huge potential of solar energy to help India meet its growing energy needs in the most environmentally friendly manner. It is also a testimony of the quick timeframe in which solar power plants can be built and commissioned," said Anil D Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Power.