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					</table>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has mandated that all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) enlisted for the supply of inverters under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana integrate inverter communication devices with the PM Surya Ghar portal.
The move comes in the background of inverter communication devices transmitting data to servers outside India, potentially risking grid disruptions.
The inverters must also be connected to software managed by the MNRE or any other agency designated by it.
The integration of inverter communication devices with the portal will be rolled out for the testing phase from September 1, 2025.
According to the new guidelines, all inverter communication devices/dongles/data loggers must have machine-to-machine SIM communication protocol to enable secure and reliable data transmission.
In another notification, MNRE issued draft guidelines for remote monitoring systems (RMS) and inverter communication devices, such as dongles and data loggers, under the PM Surya Ghar program.
Data Monitoring
The guidelines seek to establish a multi-layered security and communication protocol to ensure that data from rooftop solar installations is reliably captured, transmitted, and monitored. This initiative is considered critical for PM Surya Ghar’s success.
They aim to ensure that all RMS devices, which serve as the digital bridge between solar inverters and central servers, adhere to a secure and structured communication architecture.
Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions by July 31, 2025.
Security is a core focus of the document. The communication between RMS devices and the centralized Internet of Things (IoT) platform will be encrypted using AES-256 protocols over Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. Each RMS must be uniquely identified using its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and will be assigned a digital certificate for secure authentication.
The use of a time-sensitive one-time password in every message exchange will provide transaction-level security, protecting the system against unauthorized access and bots.
RMS registration is mandatory for vendors and suppliers. Each device must be registered with the centralized IoT platform using its IMEI number. Upon registration, a secure Application Programming Interface will return essential credentials, including client certificates, authentication tokens, server URLs, and topic structures. These credentials allow the RMS to communicate with the device management server, where it will receive further configuration instructions. Renewals and updates to certificates will be managed through File Transfer Protocol access.
Communication between RMS devices and the server will follow the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol. The guidelines outline a detailed topic structure, including default information topics, heartbeat signals, periodic data, event-based messages, and on-demand commands. This structure aims to ensure efficient communication for both real-time monitoring and the retrieval of historical data. For instance, if the server detects missing data from a previous interval, it can request indexed records from the RMS.
Multiple communication modes are defined. These include periodic pushes of inverter and sensor data, push-on-event when alarms or faults occur, and on-demand read and write functions that enable remote diagnostics and control. Configurations, such as inverter set points, battery charging parameters, and communication intervals, can be updated remotely using a predefined command structure.
The document also provides a unified message format using the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) language. Parameters are standardized across various devices, including single- and three-phase inverters, hybrid inverters, energy meters, string combiner boxes, and weather monitoring units. Each parameter is tagged using a consistent identifier format, allowing seamless data interpretation at the server end.
In April, MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-mandates-generating-dcr-certificate-number-in-pm-surya-ghar-portal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandated</a> generating and inputting the 16-digit domestic content requirement certificate number on the PM Surya Ghar portal to prevent duplicate module serial number issues.
Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.

MNRE Mandates OEMs to Integrate Inverters with PM Surya Ghar Portal

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					</table><a href="https://www.airtel.in/business/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airtel Business</a>, the B2B arm of <a href="https://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/about-bharti-airtel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharti Airtel</a>, announced that it would supply Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to power over 20 million smart meters for Adani Energy Solutions (<a href="https://www.adanienergysolutions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AESL</a>).
Airtel’s smart metering offerings are powered by Narrowband-IoT, 4G, and 2G technologies to ensure real-time connectivity and uninterrupted transfer of critical data between smart meters and headend applications.
AESL’s 20 million smart meter order book is spread across power utilities of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand.
The smart meters will be installed with Airtel’s IoT platform called Airtel IoT Hub, enabling smart meter tracking and monitoring with advanced analytics and diagnostic capabilities. It will also provide real-time insights and services to empower consumers with enhanced control over energy consumption.
Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, CEO of Airtel Business (India), said, “India’s smart metering program is one of the most significant policy reform measures undertaken by the Government. These meters are critical building blocks for smart grids and fundamental enablers for the digitalization of the power sector. Airtel expects its NB-IoT technology to play a significant role in the Utilities space to connect and manage smart meters at scale with enhanced coverage, high reliability, and security.”
Airtel, in the past year, has partnered with Secure Meters to deploy 1.3 million NB-IoT-powered smart meters in Bihar and 20 million smart meters with IntelliSmart Infrastructure.
Kandarp Patel, CEO of AESL, said, “This strategic tie-up leverages the best of both worlds: our deep domain expertise in the T&amp;D sector and Airtel&#8217;s robust nationwide network and comprehensive suite of IoT offerings, including NB-IoT and 4G LTE. This powerful combination will enable us to seamlessly deploy our current order book of over 20 million smart meters across India, empowering millions of consumers with real-time consumption data and control while simultaneously driving down inefficiencies in the distribution network.”
According to the recent data <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/discoms-atc-losses-drop-15-41-fy23" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme’s prepaid smart metering intervention, 197.92 million prepaid smart meters, 5.22 million distribution transformer meters, and 188,491 feeder meters worth a total ₹1.3 trillion (~$15.61 billion) have been approved as of December 2023.
The prepaid smart meter program has an estimated outlay of ₹1.5 trillion (~$18.01 billion) with a government budgetary support of ₹230 billion (~$2.76 billion) and a target of installing 250 million prepaid smart meters.
In December, AESL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/adani-wins-transmission-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> a letter of intent to acquire Halvad Transmission, a special-purpose vehicle established by PFC Consulting to evacuate 7 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda Renewable Energy park in Gujarat.

Airtel’s IoT Solutions to Power Adani Energy’s 20 Million Smart Meters

Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:
After successfully installing 2.3 Lakh smart meters on RF technology, Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power-DDL) has launched a unique &#8216;Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT)&#8217; technology in Smart Meters. This is the first installation of its kind in the country where smart meters have been installed on NB-IoT. The technology integration has been done involving meter manufacturers and the NB-IoT service of Reliance-Jio Network.
Inverter solution supplier for renewables, Sungrow, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sungrow-strengthens-position-as-kazakhstan-s-number-one-inverter-solution-provider-with-another-100mw-added-822731636.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it would be supplying its inverters to Kazakhstan&#8217;s 100 MW Balkhash solar power project. The project will be implemented by KAZ GREEN ENERGY LLC and built by local EPC TechnoGroupServices LLC in the Konyrat neighborhood of Balkhash city, Karaganda Region. The station will occupy 140 hectares, deploy 525/530W bifacial modules, and be brought online in two phases.
The Asian Renewable Energy Hub will be <a href="https://www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/worlds-largest-renewable-energy-project-set-for-the-australian-outback" target="_blank" rel="noopener">built</a> across 6,500 square kilometers in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia, an area larger than the US state of Delaware. The Australian Government granted the Asian Renewable Energy Hub Major Project Status in September 2020, formally recognizing its strategic significance to the Australian economy. The project will build on Australia&#8217;s strengths as a major energy exporter while reducing global emissions.
Trevali Mining Corporation has <a href="https://www.trevali.com/news/news/news-release-details/2021/Trevali-Enters-Into-Renewable-Energy-Power-Purchase-Agreement-to-Reduce-Rosh-Pinahs-Green-House-Gas-Emissions-by-Approximately-30/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it entered a 15-year renewable Power Purchase Agreement with Emerging Markets Energy Services Company (EMESCO) to supply solar power to Trevali&#8217;s Rosh Pinah Mine, located in Namibia. Trevali has committed to achieving an overall Green House Gas (&#8220;GHG&#8221;) emission reduction target of 25% by 2025 from its 2018 baseline. The PPA with EMESCO is anticipated to deliver 30% of Rosh Pinah&#8217;s power requirements during the life of the agreement and reduce GHG emissions at the Company level by 6%.

Daily News Wrap-Up: Tata Power-DDL Introduces Narrow Band IoT’ in Smart Meters

<a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NTPC</a> has floated a tender for centralized monitoring analytical tool for the 250 MW Mandsaur solar PV project in Madhya Pradesh.
The last date for the submission of bids is May 18, 2020.
The scope of work requires the installation of the internet of things (IoT) gateway at the site to acquire data from Modbus TCP, a serial communications protocol.  Also, a content management system (CMS) will be implemented. The CMS implementation will be a parallel activity, and it will not impact the existing SCADA systems. The CMS will be a redundancy system for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) with real-time data of the project anytime and anywhere.
The period of contract will be for six months, and the firewall installed in all five blocks of NTPC&#8217;s Mandsaur will be configured for blocking of traffic from the internet to the SCADA system. The analyzed data will be handed over to NTPC after the completion of the contract in a suitable industry-standard format.
Interested bidders will have to submit a bank guarantee if the earnest money deposit (EMD) amount is more than ₹20,000 (~$267).
Special treatment will be given to micro, and small enterprises (MSEs) in an attempt to give preference to the &#8216;Make in India&#8217; initiative, and purchase preference will be given to local suppliers.
Interested bidders will be required to furnish the details of experience like work orders, purchase orders, letters of award, or completion certificate in support to meet the qualifying requirements.
NTPC will award the contract to the successful bidder whose bid has been determined to be the lowest evaluated bid. If required, NTPC may place separate orders for supplies and services.
The local supplier will be required to provide relevant attachment of price bid and the declaration that the items offered to meet the minimum local content. In case the total bid price is more than ₹100 million (~$1.33 million), the local supplier should be required to provide a certificate from the cost auditor of the company giving the percentage of local content.
Earlier, NTPC had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-tender-solapur-solar-project/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">invited</a> bids for the SCADA and weather monitoring system package for Solapur solar power project in Maharashtra. The contract also included one year of maintenance. The SCADA systems are used to monitor and control a project or equipment in industries such as telecommunications, water and waste control, energy, oil and gas refining, and transportation.
Recently, the Transmission Corporation of Telangana <a href="https://mercomindia.com/telangana-tender-install-abt-scada-facilities-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">floated</a> two tender notices to set up availability-based tariff metering along with SCADA facilities at interconnection points for solar captive generating projects in the state.

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