Que: How do you see the role of solar-plus-storage in meeting India’s accelerating clean-energy ambitions?

Ans: Solar plus storage is becoming central to India’s clean energy ambitions because it turns low cost solar into firm, schedulable power that can be delivered when the grid actually needs it, especially during the evening peak. As renewable penetration rises, the need is shifting from only adding megawatts to adding flexibility and reliability, and solar paired with BESS is one of the fastest ways to provide that.

This does not replace wind, it complements it. Storage helps smooth variability across renewables, improves ramp management, and supports more predictable supply for utilities and for industrial and commercial users seeking round the clock or peak matched clean power. With solar module and battery costs falling materially in recent years, solar plus storage is increasingly commercial, and the next step is scaling it through clear contracting, bankable revenue mechanisms, and grid integration standards so it can reliably deliver on demand clean energy at scale.

Que: How is the growing demand for RTC and firm renewable power influencing project design and business models? From a developer’s perspective, what are the key operational and financial challenges in implementing these projects?

Ans: We currently operate across four project categories: standalone solar and wind, solar plus BESS, FDRE, and RTC, and each plays a distinct role in supporting reliable clean power delivery. Across our hybrid and storage integrated projects, the battery architecture broadly remains consistent, with variations in size and charge discharge profiles based on the delivery requirement and specific offtaker needs.

Across all storage enabled projects, the battery component provides on demand, dispatchable power, which is critical for enhancing grid stability. This helps offtakers manage peak load more effectively and directly addresses the core challenge of solar generation falling off the grid during non solar hours. In addition, the storage layer strengthens DSM management by smoothing variability and enabling a more predictable supply profile.

Overall, these hybrid configurations enable more stable, reliable, and firm renewable power, bringing India closer to true round the clock clean energy.

Que: What technological factors, such as choice of chemistry, depth of discharge, and storage duration, guide your decisions when designing hybrid projects for different states or DISCOM requirements?

Ans: When we design hybrid projects, the choice of technology is driven by commercially proven performance, application needs, and long term reliability for each state or DISCOM requirement. Today, LFP remains the dominant chemistry for stationary storage because it is mature, safe, and cost effective, while NMC is available but used selectively. Emerging chemistries like sodium ion are promising but not yet mature for commercial deployment.

Depth of Discharge, or DoD, is another critical parameter. It is always a balance between usable energy and cycle life. For most peak shifting applications, we typically work with 95 to 100 percent DoD, ensuring maximum usable capacity while maintaining a viable life cycle.

Since most DISCOMs currently focus on power shifting and peak management, the core application remains consistent. However, each PPA varies in terms of usable energy requirement, number of cycles, and dispatch profile. This makes it essential to analyse DoD, degradation patterns, and state of health, ensuring the storage system meets long term performance obligations tailored to each state or utility’s needs.

Que: Which industrial sectors are showing the strongest interest in adopting hybrid solutions, and what are the key drivers?

Ans: Storage duration in hybrid projects is primarily driven by the PPA structure and the end user’s power requirements. Two to four hours is common for peak shifting under SECI and SJVN tenders, while RTC or 24×7 contracts require four to eight hours, or multi cycle flexibility, to meet firm supply blocks, with some bids now specifying six hour storage. Current battery technologies are best optimised for two to four hour durations, and slower discharge profiles do not negatively impact battery performance.

The growing interest in hybrid solutions is also linked to market dynamics. GDAM prices during solar hours are at record lows due to abundant daytime generation, which makes non solar hour supply far more valuable for states and large consumers. As a result, sectors with high reliability needs, particularly data centres and IT that require uninterrupted 24×7 renewable power, are emerging as key adopters of storage integrated hybrid solutions.

Que: BluPine recently adopted waterless robotic module-cleaning systems through a partnership with LEAPTING for its 100 MW Gujarat projects. What benefits have you observed in performance, water savings, and O&M cost reduction?

Ans: Beyond the clear reduction in O&M costs, the major benefits we have observed from adopting waterless robotic module-cleaning systems are lower soiling and higher generation, thanks to more consistent cleaning cycles. The shift has also eliminated any dependence on unskilled local labour for module cleaning, improving operational reliability. Additionally, robotic cleaning is environment-friendly, with water requirements greatly reduced, resulting in significant water savings across the project.

Que: How is BluPine preparing for the next phase of India’s energy transition, particularly large-scale adoption of energy storage under national schemes or SECI tenders?

Ans: Large-scale battery utilisation will be essential for India to come anywhere close to its national renewable energy installation goals, and BluPine is aligning its strategy accordingly. We are actively developing a robust battery supply chain, along with the necessary certification and testing frameworks to support future storage-integrated projects. At the same time, we are working closely with Indian suppliers to build an indigenous battery ecosystem, ensuring readiness for the upcoming wave of national schemes and SECI storage tenders.