First Solar Inc (FSLR), the world’s biggest thin film solar module manufacturer and one of the largest developers of utility-scale solar projects worldwide, has announced its first development project in India in Telangana.

The company, which has a global project pipeline of more than 2500 MW, through its Indian subsidiary announced today that it would build 45 MW capacity of solar power generation and supply electricity through the grid to the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana State Ltd (TSSPDCL) at a levelised tariff of Rs 6.49p/kwh for 20 years.

The project will include construction at two different sites in Mahabubnagar district and is expected to be in commercial operation by May 2015.

“Telangana has an energy deficit that demands immediate creation of incremental generation capacity. The excellent solar resource in the State, combined with our thin film module technology that is ideally suited for hot climates such as in India, allows us to bid for tariffs that bring solar energy pricing on parity with diesel/gas and potentially imported coal, for consumers across 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,” Sujoy Ghosh, Country Head for First Solar India, said.

Ghosh, in a statement said, construction of the project was expected to begin by October.

On completion, the projects are expected to produce approximately 86,880 Mwhr of electricity each year, which will be sufficient to meet the needs of over 92,000 average homes in Telangana.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW