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.

The REI Expo is one of the world’s largest new and renewable energy exhibitions. More than 725 companies from 40 countries participated in the Expo, along with approximately 50,000 visitors. The turnout was largely due to the Indian government’s infrastructure expansion and intensive investment plans for new and renewable energy.

POSCO’s Booth at REI 2017 showcased PV structures made of PosMAC steel.

POSCO India’s booth at the event showcased its solar PV structures made of PosMAC steel to major solar companies and structure manufacturers such as Adani, Nextracker, Arctech, Softbank, Purshotam, etc.

During the Expo, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreements were signed with four companies. POSCO India’s Chief Managing Director Gee Woong Sung said, “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. In 2018, we will further expand PosMAC sales in India.”

POSCO India signs an MoU with Ganges Internationale.

In addition to showcasing their premium product, POSCO has been working hard to meet customer demands in all areas. In order to meet short delivery times and structural supplies required by various PV projects in all parts of India, POSCO India has decided to establish a PosMAC structure supply chain system through strategic cooperation with local construction companies.

In the first stage of development, the free space at POSCO-IAPC located in Ahmedabad will be utilized via a long-term lease, and the manufacturing machinery is being installed with an operation target set for October. In the second stage, POSCO India has plans for additional installations in the Delhi and Pune regions.

POSCO India will strive to build a differentiated sales network with its solution marketing activities and secure a sustainable competitive advantage over other companies through its premium-quality products and advanced supply chain system.

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Advancements in products, production methods, and new technologies have helped POSCO expand the expectations of what a sustainable steel company should be.  

In honor of Earth Day, The Steel Wire takes a look back at seven recent initiatives & breakthroughs from the last year that have helped POSCO become an industry leader in sustainable development.

POSCO GIGA STEEL: Lighter for EVs, Less Production Emissions

As the auto industry heads toward producing lighter, more fuel efficient vehicles, they need materials that are both strong and light. Car bodies manufactured with POSCO GIGA STEEL and other advanced high strength steels could see a 26% reduction in total weight. Also, based on its life cycle assessment measuring carbon dioxide emissions from production to recycling, POSCO GIGA STEEL performs remarkably well as an eco-friendly material. According to the World Steel Association, steel emits 2.0 to 2.5 kg of carbon emissions when producing 1 kg of material while aluminum emits 11 to 12.6 kg when producing the same amount.

See how POSCO GIGA STEEL offers an ideal material solution for automakers looking to make more lightweight and fuel efficient cars.

POSCO’s Smart Factory Introduces Artificial Intelligence

When POSCO introduced artificial intelligence into its smart factory operations in February, they were able to create higher quality products using a more sustainable production method. Coating weight control is a highly sophisticated process that keeps the coating layer consistent. Quality can deviate depending on the worker, but with POSCO’s new AI technology they can ensure quality control while reducing wasted zinc during production.

Read more about how POSCO is using AI and smart factory technology to make its operations more efficient and sustainable.

POSCO’s Advancements in Lithium Extraction Recharge the Battery Industry

Lithium extraction traditionally takes anywhere from 12-18 months using a slow evaporation technique. However, POSCO’s new extraction method, which came online in February of this year, takes from 8 hours up to one month while also offering a purity rate of 99.9% and increasing the lithium recovery rate to over 80%, which reduces the resources needed for extraction making the process more sustainable and eco-friendly. Also, in a first for the industry, POSCO developed a way to extract lithium from recycled batteries. Both of these innovations have helped create more eco-friendly processes for an industry that is expected to grow exponentially in coming years.

Find out more about POSCO’s developments in lithium extraction and its efforts to reshape the industry.

POSCO Expands Production of its Non-Oriented Silicon Steel for Electric Vehicle Drive Motors

Top-grade non-oriented silicon steel is a core ingredient in high-efficiency premium consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It is an environmentally-friendly material that saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions. With the completion of its non-oriented silicon steel (Hyper NO) facility on February 20, production has increased from 80,000 to 160,000 tons, which is enough to supply parts for approximately 2.6 million electric vehicle drive motors.

Read more about POSCO’s efforts secure its position as a leading supplier to the growing electric vehicle market.

POSCO Humans Selected as Innovation Leader for Sustainable Solar Power Development

POSCO Humans received excellent evaluations last January for its steel structures that were built for solar facility installations. In particular, POSCO Humans received high marks for its structure that are used exclusively for floating solar power generation facilities and exclusive bolts that utilize PosMAC. It is a bolt-assembled structure that eliminates the need for hole machining and special tools.

Discover how POSCO developed floating solar panels using PosMAC.

POSCO’s World Premium Stainless Steel Shows No Corrosion After 18 Years at Incheon Airport

The first passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport was built in 2001 using POSCO’s 446M steel, and after 18 years, few signs of corrosion have been seen. Building exteriors and roofs are the most visible parts of buildings, while also being the most vulnerable to corrosion. Materials used in their construction should be both corrosion-resistant and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, when planning for the second terminal, they decided to use the same type of steel along with the application of the bead blast process that will create a rough texture on the roof to lower the reflectivity rate for aircraft pilots during take-offs and landings.

Find out how POSCO’s stainless steel products offer decorative and durable interior and exterior options in buildings.

PosMAC Shines at Renewable Energy India

PosMAC was recognized at the Renewable Energy India expo for its unique properties that make it uniquely suited for solar energy development. PosMAC is not just lightweight, it is also non-corrosive and durable enough to last 20-30 years.

Find out more about PosMAC at the Renewable Energy India expo, or find out more about PosMAC.

Throughout April & May, The Steel Wire will explore the uses and benefits of POSCO GIGA STEEL and what POSCO is doing to lead the industry with new automotive steel solutions.   Subscribe to our newsletter today.

However, like any other material, it has its limits. Corrosion is a common issue that affects iron’s durability, and environmental factors such as salt and pollution can cause further harm to the metal’s overall state.

To combat this, POSCO has created a specialized galvanized steel called PosMAC (POSCO Magnesium Alloy Coating Product), which is guaranteed to last five to ten times longer than standard steel due to its newly formulated composition.

PosMAC’s Unique Qualities

Galvanized steel has a special coating created from zinc that protects it from rust over time due to contaminants in the air. Yet, it still remains susceptible to corrosion — the primary zinc layer can easily be broken down, and potentially create more damage to the iron.

PosMAC, however, has an outer layer made from a combination of zinc, aluminum and magnesium that allows it to outlast galvanized steel’s zinc-only layer.

This mixture creates a protective film layer called simonkolleite when PosMAC’s coating is exposed. Simonkolleite is a stable compound that forms from the presence of magnesium, which then turns into an extra barrier of protection on top of its external layer.

PosMAC’s special coating also has a greater hardness than that of other steels, which reduces contamination during processing and minimizes the incurrence of scratches.

But the most remarkable aspect of simonkolleite is how it “heals” exposed parts of steel. Usually, when a surface is exposed, rust forms. However, with PosMAC, the simonkolleite layer gradually coats the vulnerable portion to prevent it from further corroding.

The Uses of Specialized Steel

Why is a highly corrosion-resistant steel like PosMAC considered so important? Because of its ability to withstand rust, it is considered a versatile material for painting, welding, construction processes and even raising livestock – all processes that require a lasting and high-strength metal to support prolonged usage.

It is ideal for manufacturing electronics and for automotive uses, and since it can survive high temperatures and environments with high moisture levels, it can be utilized in structures such as marine farms and subways.

Affordably Effective

PosMAC is considered cost-effective because of its high durability – with less corrosion, less is spent on maintenance and replacement fees. It also does not require a post-coating process like unplated steel, which also shaves costs.

Solar panels have become an important area where the use of specialized steel, such as PosMAC, is necessary. These renewable energy sources require stable structures that can last beyond 20 to 30 years, and as a result, are expensive to build. PosMAC ensures longevity, which saves money in the long run.

A New Rendition of POSCO Steel

PosMAC is one of the many examples that showcase POSCO’s status as a company creating premium and innovative products for the global market. The company has been named as the “World’s Most Competitive Steel Company” for 7 consecutive years, and continues to supply the world with high-quality steel to run a wide span of industries.

Thanks to PosMAC, POSCO’s reliable and corrosion-resistant steel solution, the standard face of steel has been revolutionized for the overall betterment of infrastructure and commerce.

PosMAC Shines at Renewable Energy India 2016, Asia’s Largest Energy Trade Expo

PosMAC: The Revolutionary Steel

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POSCO-India (under the direction of Chairman & Managing Director Gee Woong Sung) participated at the REI 2016 Expo by jointly sharing the exhibit space with Ganges Internationale (a client and India’s main solar structure manufacturer), intending to popularize PosMAC steel in the solar panel market in India. At present, Ganges International is procuring PosMAC steel from POSCO, making solar structures and supplying it to end users. During the expo, POSCO-India intensively promoted the application of PosMAC in the solar industry through targeting major IPP and EPC companies such as Adani, NEXTracker, Acme, etc.

Gee Woong Sung, Chairman & Managing Director of POSCO-India, during the 2016 REI expo.

The demand for highly durable PosMAC is on the rise and POSCO-India aims to make it a widely used product in the solar power industry by strengthening the sales of POSCO’s solutions marketing and World Premium (WP) products in India. The exhibition gave a great platform for POSCO to interact with visitors from varied industries and from different countries across the globe. It was a remarkable opportunity to promote PosMAC as well as to identify the customer needs. The visitors and potential clients showed keen interest for the product, made queries on product specifications and seemed quite impressed with the benefits offered by PosMAC.

POSCO-India officials interact with visitors during the 2016 REI expo.

Owing to the business interactions that took place during the expo, the PosMAC sales volume is expected to increase. POSCO-India aims to grab this opportunity and accelerate the PosMAC sales by strengthening solution marketing and taking advantage of the growing solar energy market in India.

Solar Energy Development is the Key to the Future of Energy

PosMAC Seminar Promotes POSCO’s World Premium Products in India

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