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Bifacial photovoltaic technology is considered an emerging and promising PV technology. However, the unavailability of proven field data or efficient models prevents the stakeholders from going ahead with this technology. The currently available bifacial performance models have limitations; they are location specific, for a single bifacial PV module alone, or ground-level installed bifacial PV only. This paper develops an experimentally validated view factor-based optical model using the Cross-string rule to predict the power output and bifacial gain for bifacial PV power plants with good accuracy and low computation power and time. An optimal model for the best performance of bifacial PV at any location was also suggested by optimizing the parameters like the pitch, height of installations, and slope. The results show that the year-round performance of bifacial PV in cities in India's five climatic zones is 30.54%–34.93% higher than the monofiacial PV panels at an average ground albedo of 30%. Bi-annual tracking improved a bifacial PV's overall power output and bifacial gain. The financial indicators like Levelised cost of energy, Net present value, Discounted payback period, and Internal rate of return indicate higher financial gain from the bifacial PV power plant compared to monofacial PV power plant. • An experimentally validated novel model of a bifacial PV power plant is developed • Bifacial PV installation parameters are optimised for improved performance • The effect of bi-annual tracking on bifacial PV power plant performance is explored • Bifacial gain and financial indicators for six climatic zones in India are studied [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key barriers to diffusion of domestic solar water heater in India is its high capital cost. Hence, there is a perception among people that it is not economically viable. The objective of this paper is to check the validity of this perception using net present value as a tool. An explicit formula has been developed from first principle to calculate the net present value of a domestic solar water heater which can be used globally. Scenario analysis has been conducted taking three scenarios: current, pessimistic and optimistic, to understand the spread in net present value. Taking probability of each scenario, expected net present value is calculated. The next objective is to go a further step to simulate using Monte Carlo simulation to attach a probability value with the net present value. Monte Carlo simulation model has been developed for risk assessment of solar water heaters. A range of values of all input variables have been considered assuming a normal distribution curve and based upon that a probability distribution curve of net present value is obtained. It was found that solar water heater is a viable option for east-coastal region of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analytical assessment of 5.05 kWp grid tied photovoltaic plant performance on the system level has been carried out in this study. The solar PV plant has been installed on the roof of the block-A of the Darshan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajkot. India. The Darshan Institute of Engineering and Technology has been monitoring and recording all the parameters of 5.05 kWp grid tied solar PV power plant for 3 years. This paper helps in study of the performance and consistency of this system. The final yield, reference yield and performance ratio are observed to vary from 2.96 h/d to 5.43 h/d, 4.22 h/d to 7.29 h/d and 68%–83% respectively. The global in-plane solar radiation at the city of Rajkot is 2212 kWh/m 2 /annum. The average annual measured energy yield of the plant is found to be 1636 kWh/kWp. The total estimated system losses due to irradiance angle, temperature, module quality, array and cell mismatch, AC/DC wiring, MPPT, soiling and dirt, and inverter are found to be 26%. As a whole, the location, soiling pattern, design of PV and maintenance of solar PV system are the primary reasons of energy variability and system energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of state level institutional differences in attracting FDI (foreign direct investment) in wind energy in India. The role of institutional differences is measured by means of constructing a policy index using five key policies in wind energy: feed-in-tariff, open access transmission, third party sale, banking, and wheeling charges. Panel data techniques are then employed to investigate the impact of the policy differences on FDI inflow in wind energy for eight Indian states that have significant resource potential over the seven year period (2004–05 to 2010–11) after controlling for several state-specific factors. The results indicate that state-specific policy index for wind energy is significant in attracting FDI in a state irrespective of whether control variables are included or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we evaluate opportunities to mitigate CO 2 emission from the power and industry sectors of India by carbon capture and storage. Results show that the total CO 2 emission from 630 power and industrial plants is 1.7 Gtpa. Of this, 0.9 Gtpa comes from power plants and 0.8 Gtpa from industry plants. There is 416.2 Gt of CO 2 storage capacity (mid case scenario) in India, enough to store 237 years of emission. Of this, 412.7 Gt (99%) comes from saline aquifers in 22 sedimentary basins, 1.9 Gt (0.44%) from six major gas fields, and 1.7 Gt (0.41%) from 37 major oil fields. The total mid CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery potential in India is 500 × 106 m3 with the biggest potential found in the following oil fields: Mumbai High (231 × 106 m3), Gandhar (13 × 106 m3), Mangala (17 × 106 m3) and Nahorkatiya (24 × 106 m3) in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Assam, respectively. Results of a CO 2 source-sink mapping exercise show that in most cases, CO 2 source-sink distance is less than 500 km, and many cases less than 100 km. • India's CO 2 emission is 1.7 Gtpa from the power and industry sectors. • There is 416.2 Gt of subsurface CO 2 storage capacity in India. • There is a total of CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery potential of 5.01 × 108 m3. • A CO 2 -EOR pilot is recommended for the offshore Mumbai High oil field. • Most CO 2 sources can be stored in sinks within a 500 km distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Natural Gas is one of the important fossil fuel energy resources in India. Anchor customers of natural gas are the power sector and nitrogenous fertilizer. It is the cleanest form of energy derived from the fossil fuel basket. Because of clean combustion characteristics, natural gas is the fuel choice for many sections of Indian industry. The demand for natural gas will grow with time. Currently natural gas accounts for 7% of the primary energy consumption of India. The Government of India has its commitment to food security and energy security. The policies are directed toward greater allocation of natural gas on a priority basis to fertilizer and the power sector. Natural gas is the main and preferred feedstock for urea manufacture. This paper analyzes and estimates projected demand of natural gas in the next two decades. The demand projections have been reviewed in the context of changing government policies regarding the fertilizer industry, such as farm gate price regulation and self-sufficiency level of indigenous urea production. The current growth plan of natural gas supply and evolving supply scenario in the future are also considered in the study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]