The publication quotes Naresh Pal Gangwar, chairman of the state-run Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corp., who says the state plans to auction contracts for 100 MW of photovoltaic plants and 100 MWs of solar thermal plants.
Rajasthan, which is dominated by a large desert, is often said to have some of India's most promising resources for the development of solar power. A joint study by the India Meteorological Department and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy found that the state receives, on average, the second most radiant solar exposure in India, after Gujarat.
Among the companies that are already active in the state are SunEdison, Shriram EPC Ltd., ad Reliance Power Ltd.
Bloomberg reports contracts are available for photovoltaic projects of 5 or 10 MW each and for solar-thermal plants of 50 MW each.
Unlike contracts awarded by the central government, Rajasthan will allow companies to import equipment and technology for their projects.
Bids are due by30 January 2011 at 3 p.m. local time. The bids will be opened in April.
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