This is the first time that MNRE has included data for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant performance.
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released data on solar plant performance in December 2013. This time figures included the nation’s first concentrating solar power (CSP) plant under the National Solar Mission, as well as solar photovoltaic (PV) plants.
Godawari Green Energy Ltd.’s (Chhatisgarh, India) 50 MW CSP plant only reported a 9.99% capacity utilization factor (CUF) during the month. CUFs for PV plants generally continued their slow decline from highs in September 2013.
Plants commissioned under both batch 1 and batch 2 of phase 1 of the National Solar Mission came in at 16–22%, with only three outliers, two of which performed above this range at 23.71% and 23.95%. As in previous months batch 2 projects showed slightly higher performances.
The nine Migration Scheme projects again showed trouble. While four came in at 20–23%, another three reported CUFs of 10–14%, with no data from two. One of these three low-performing plants had reported a 18.67% CUF during November 2013.
Rooftop and Small Solar Power Generation Program (RPSSGP) plants mostly reported CUFs in the 11–22% range, with three of the 46 reporting 9–10% CUFs.
For full MNRE CUF figures, please see the RESolve Energy Consultants blog.
