India’s Solar Energy Market

Solar energy is an extremely vital and rapidly developing industry in India. From May 2014 to March 2017, the country quadrupled its solar generation capacity. The average cost of solar electricity is 18 percent below the average price of coal-fired energy, making solar electricity the cheapest form of alternative fuel in India.  

The Indian government is fully supportive of this market, setting a goal of USD 100 billion in investment and 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity for the country by 2022. Solar is particularly important in the rural areas of India where there is limited access to electricity, so the government plans to install solar lanterns, home and street lighting systems and solar cookers.

The world’s largest solar farm is in Tamil Nadu, India. (Source: Alternative Energies)

In November 2017, India became home to the world’s largest solar farm in Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu. The farm covers 2,500 acres with 2.5 million solar modules. India’s solar electricity market has the potential for further expansion, and global suppliers and manufacturers are taking notice.  

POSCO India, a Partner for PV Structure Manufacturers

POSCO is a steel supplier making headway into the Indian solar energy market with its innovative and sustainable products. In September, POSCO India took part in the 2017 Renewable Energy India Expo in Greater Noida.

POSCO’s Booth at the 2017 Renewable Energy India showcased PV structures made of PosMAC steel.

POSCO India Chairman and Managing Director Gee Woong Sung and other POSCO employees showcased POSCO’s solar (PV) structures, constructed from PosMAC steel (POSCO Magnesium Alloy Coating Product). “By the end of this year, we will complete the Indian solution marketing system, which will supply not only steel but also solar PV structures,” said Sung. “In 2018, we will further expand PosMAC sales in India.”

By the end of the event, POSCO signed memorandums of understanding with four major manufacturers of PV structures in India, and will be supplying 49,000 tons of PosMAC with a goal of increasing production to 60,000 tons by 2018.

Solar Electricity Solutions with PosMAC

PosMAC steel has great potential in India because it is ideal for solar panel application. It is ultra corrosion-resistant and cost-effective. Watch the video below to find about the technology behind PosMAC.

A typical PV unit lasts for about three decades, during which a failure of any part would lead to an early demise. PosMAC steel provides weather resistance and is also less expensive than other PV materials like stainless steel.

Despite its varying climate, India is a country with excellent conditions for capturing and using solar energy, with roughly 300 days of sunshine each year. Along with vibrant market conditions, heavy government backing as well as a large consumer base, India’s new and renewable energy industry is set for growth. As solar energy is the cheapest form of alternative fuel, solar PV unit manufacturers will have plenty of business opportunities in India’s growing market.  

Cover photo courtesy of l’Ener Geek.

Growing Need for Rust-free, Corrosion-Resistant Steel

Steel is an essential industrial material, but exposure to water, salt, or oxidation can cause it to rust. Rust and corrosion can drastically reduce the safety of buildings by posing a constant potential threat to their structural stability. Additionally, rust has a negative effect on the aesthetics of a structure and its surrounding environment. There has been a jump in interest and demand for corrosion-resistant steel to avoid the high costs of frequent maintenance and replacements.

POSCO Presents Ultra Corrosion-Resistant PosMAC Steel

POSCO’s undying focus on the research and development of steel material products has produced PosMAC, a revolutionary plated steel sheet that is five to ten times more resistant to rust and corrosion than existing versions. The product is an upgrade of existing generic plated steel imbued with resistance to the corrosion of the cut edges that is superior to competing products in strength and resilience. This innovative product, PosMAC represents over 30years of technological progress in the field of steel plate production, as well as POSCO’s commitment to the research and development of ultra-resistant steel plates for the past six years.

PosMAC, or POSCO Magnesium Alloy Coating Product, is an ultra-corrosion resistant alloyed steel plate developed with unique POSCO technology. One of the world’s highest quality steel surface treatment products, PosMAC is five to ten times more resistant to rust and corrosion than existing alloyed steel plate products. Being less expensive than other corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel, the revolutionary PosMAC steel is highly sought after not only for its strength and resistance but also for its affordability.

PosMAC: Resistant to scratches and steel cut edges corrosion

Existing rolled steel is vulnerable to steel cut edge corrosion

PosMAC is highly resistant not only to rust in general, but also to alkali, scratches and steel section corrosion, thanks to PosMAC’s superior steel plating technology. The magnesium in PosMAC’s plating accelerates the formation of highly stable corrosion products, which in turn forms a layer on the surface of the steel plating, preventing the steel plate from corrosion. While existing rolled steel are vulnerable to steel cut edge corrosion, PosMAC’s steel edges form a protective layer from corrosion products after six months, preventing steel cut edges from forming corrosion. This makes PosMAC five to ten times more resistant to corrosion compared to existing products, as well as giving it resistance to steel cut edges corrosion, a unique advantage not found in other general plated metal products.  Furthermore, PosMAC is highly resistant to alkali and ammonia, which makes it highly suitable for use in livestock handling facilities or in situations where components are in contact with concrete tar.

Let’s have a look at the various applications of PosMAC technology

Reducing production costs of solar panels

PosMAC is being highly sought after in the solar panel market for its high resistance and affordability

The demand for highly durable PosMAC is on the rise in the solar panel industry where solar panel structures are expected to be fully functional for up to 20 to 30 years from their installment. We expect PosMAC to become highly popular in the solar panel market: the plated steel used in the manufacture of supporting fixtures of solar panel structures are extremely costly, and using highly durable and resistant PosMAC steel will significantly lower costs by removing the need for frequent replacement.

Manufacturing automobile motor cases with PosMAC

PosMAC is used for motor cases which require extra-high resistance and durability

POSCO is also offering PosMAC as a solution for automobile components that require extra-high resistance and durability such as ABS, power windows and motor cases. PosMAC will take the lead in a new era of more durable and long-lasting automobiles!

The PosMAC Initiative: Expand PosMAC’s applications

PosMAC has been expanding its market presence mainly in agriculture/livestock/fishing, solar panels, motor cases, and road facilities. Now it’s time for the next phase of the PosMAC Initiative: plans to expand PosMAC’s applications to home electronics and automobile steel plates are under way!

POSCO takes the lead in a new era in the steel industry with PosMAC, the revolutionary product developed through years of research and development. POSCO will continue its commitment to leading the global steel market with the highly resistant and durable PosMAC.