Mahindra Powerol enters power backup segment in UP
Mahindra Powerol has entered the home UPS, inverter and battery market in Uttar Pradesh. The company already has power backup operations comprising a network of 37 showrooms in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Bihar and is now keen to build its presence in UP.
IESA to devise ESDM roadmap for Odisha
Odisha’s IT department has tied up with the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) to devise a roadmap for the development of the ESDM industry in the state. The body is supposed to identify potential areas across Odisha for setting up hardware industries within the next six months.
Bosch Solar to shut down solar business
German manufacturing major, Bosch, has reportedly announced that from 2014, it will be shutting down its solar energy operations, primarily owing to the heavy losses posted last year. This development could clearly dent the German photovoltaics (PV) industry, which is currently undergoing a rough patch.
Karnataka plans to call for tenders for 130MW of solar projects
Karnataka has plans to place tender notices for 130MW of solar projects. According to the state electricity utility, the tender will be floated soon. The tender document from Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd states that developers are allowed to bid for more than one project, of 3 to 10MW capacity.
“PMA will depress FDI”
According to Ron Somers, president, US-India Business Council, the Preferential Market Access (PMA) Policy of the Government of India will make India an undesirable market. He feels that, “PMA will depress foreign direct investment, potentially undermine security and lower India’s competitiveness as a desirable location to do business.” He believes that the Indian manufacturers are presently incapable of meeting the target of 30 per cent local value-addition.
Tektronix enters power analyser market
Tektronix’s entry into the power analyser instrument market will be highlighted by the introduction of a full new product line in the coming months. To facilitate this move, Tektronix has implemented a technology transfer agreement, which includes power analyser intellectual property, patents and product designs from its partner Voltech, which will exit the power analyser segment of its business by September 30, 2013.
Growth in solar industry to drive related markets: Report
A report by Frost & Sullivan on the Indian market for chemicals and materials used in photovoltaics, finds that the market was worth US$ 1.05 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach US$ 2.05 billion in 2015. The research covers chemicals and materials used to manufacture solar cells (polysilicon, metal paste and wet process chemicals) and solar modules (frontsheet, backsheet and encapsulants).
Mahindra eyes solar segment
The Mahindra group is reportedly eyeing the emerging solar power market in the country. The company has plans to add a capacity of 500MW of solar power generation in the next two to three years.
The group is already present in the solar power sector, as it forayed into the energy world three years back. And now, the company is eyeing the solar-powered product segment that doesn’t require any negotiation with the ministry for tariff bidding or any such formal procedures.
Bidding for phase-II of the Solar Mission postponed to May
Bidding for grid-connected projects under the second phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) may get delayed by a month or two, as the government is yet to decide on covering more products under its domestic sourcing norms. The Ministry for New and Renewable Energy, however, maintains that the batch I of the second phase, which includes off-grid projects, will start from April 1 as envisaged in the JNNSM. Draft guidelines spelling out the criterion for the prospective bidders have been prepared and now formal approvals are required.
BEL to produce parts for Boeing
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) will manufacture parts for Boeing’s new Hornet fighter jet, under a follow-on contract with the US-based company. The contract extension means that BEL will be responsible for producing special parts for the new Hornet jets including ground power panels, helmet vehicle interface stowage and cockpit console panels.
Anritsu opens India subsidiary
Anritsu Corporation has announced the opening of its 100 per cent India subsidiary in Bengaluru. The new office brings together the functions of marketing, sales, engineering, services and support. By co-locating all the departments, the company expects to accelerate the rate of delivering new products and provide better, broader support to its growing customer base in India. It also plans to open a branch office in Noida within this fiscal year.
Panasonic initiates solar lantern project in India
Panasonic has decided to foray into the highly-lucrative Indian solar energy sector by launching its ‘100 Thousand Solar Lantern Project’. The basic aim of the project is to contribute a total of 100,000 solar LED lights across the globe by 2018. The company has also announced that around 5,000 compact solar lights have been allotted to off-grid areas in India. It has joined hands with the likes of World Health Partners, Swayam Shikshan Prayog, Plan International India and Sahaj in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
Prices of LED components to fall in 2013, globally
According to a report, the first quarter of the financial year is a traditionally slow season and the pricing of LED components used in backlighting and lighting products is expected to fall in 2013. In particular, medium-size LEDs used in lighting will see continuous price falls in 2013.
Labs recognised for testing of electronics products
The testing facilities of Intertek India Pvt Ltd and Conformity Testing Labs Pvt Ltd have been recognised by BIS under the ‘Electronics and Information Technology Goods (requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012’. Intertek’s facility has been recognised for testing IS 616: 2010 and IS 13252(Part 1): 2010, while that of Conformity Testing Labs Pvt Ltd has been recognised for IS 13252(Pt-1):2010 and IS 302-2-26:1994. Both the labs are based in Delhi.
South Korean firms keen to set up units in Rajasthan’s SEZ
South Korean automobile parts and electronic components manufacturers are eager to set up their production units in Rajasthan’s upcoming special economic zone, said a South Korea Trade Promotion Agency (KOTRA) official.
KOTRA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation for an exclusive industrial zone for the South Korean industry in Ghilot near Neemrana, in close proximity to the national capital.
Roads can have solar roofs, claim GERMI scientists
A proposal has been floated to cover major Indian roads with solar roofs. The idea is the brainchild of scientists at the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI). According to a recently published paper, the scientists say highways can be used to generate solar power, if a roof of solar panels was laid over them, across the length of the roads.
Projects in limbo due to unclear AP solar policy
According to the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, about 750MW of solar power projects are in limbo for want of clarity in policy issues and clearances in the state. While the state government announced its Solar Power Policy in September 2012 seeking to encourage solar power projects, those at various stages of execution were impacted by a lack of clarity. Applications for about 750MW were submitted and many more are in the pipeline awaiting clarity.
Bosch selects Mirtec as its exclusive AOI partner
Bosch has chosen Mirtec, a leading global supplier of automated optical inspection (AOI) systems, as its exclusive AOI partner for the next five years. With this agreement, Mirtec becomes an exclusive supplier contractor for multiple MV-9 2D/3D AOI systems. Mirtec was selected after scrutinising a large number of competitors from around the globe.
Hong Kong-Thailand sign MoU to expand trade promotion
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce (DITP), have signed an MoU to promote economic growth, encourage business development, enhance trade information activities and strengthen the economic partnership between Hong Kong and Thailand.
“Under the MoU, the HKTDC and DITP have set up a strategic alliance through the exchange of trade information, and organising professional training and exchange programmes,” said Benjamin Chau, HKTDC deputy executive director.
