Solar Plant

Farmers, landowners, or developers interested in setting up solar power plants can participate. The project requires land within a 5 km radius of APDCL’s 33/11 kV substations. Participants need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by May 8, 2025, as per the tender issued by APDCL. The scheme encourages local farmers to collaborate with solar developers to install decentralized solar plants.

This might be a little surprising, but solar generation doesn;t have much to do with how hot the weather is. Yes, summer days when it’s not cloudy are a great time to see solar kick in strongly,. but extreme heat is not good for generation as well.

This is because solar panels generate electricity thanks to the flow of electrons that are stimulated by light falling on the cell. Most panels available today are tested for optimum operations between 15 to 35 or even 40 degrees centigrade.

When temperatures spike, these electrons can bounce around too much and too fast, reducing voltage, or the amount of electricity generated.

Thus, for every rise in temperature beyond 38 degrees or so, efficiency can come down by 0.5%. At 45 degrees, you could be looking at a 3-4% drop in efficiency therefore.
Excessive heat can even lead to malfunctions of other parts in the system.

Factors to consider include the contractor’s experience, track record, technical expertise, financial stability, adherence to quality standards, and ability to meet project timelines. If major financiers and NBFCs are backing their projects or allow loans for their project, it adds to their creditworthiness too.