COVER STORY
India energy narrative is undergo-
ing a radical transformation. As the
world’s
third-largest
energy
consumer, the country is strategical-
ly
pivoting
towards
renewable
energy to address climate change,
reduce dependence on fossil fuels,
and achieve energy security. Amidst
this transition, floating solar power
solar photovoltaic systems installed
on water bodies is emerging as a
promising innovation. Once seen as
a niche concept, floating solar (also
known as floatovoltaics) is now
gaining momentum as a viable,
efficient, and scalable renewable
energy solution.
India, with its abundant sunlight
and vast inland water reservoirs, is
uniquely positioned to become a
global leader in this space. Floating
solar not only complements India's
solar ambitions but also offers
solutions
to
several
persistent
challenges such as land scarcity,
water
evaporation,
and
energy
access in remote areas. This article
explores why floating solar power
might well be the next big thing in
India’s clean energy transition.
The Genesis of Floating Solar
Floating
solar
power
systems
consist of solar panels mounted on
floating structures that rest on the
surface of water bodies like lakes,
reservoirs, dams, and ponds. The
concept originated in Japan in the
early 2000s as a response to land
constraints and has since been
adopted globally. Countries like
China, South Korea, the Nether-
lands, and Singapore have demon-
strated the technical and economic
viability of large-scale floating
solar plants.
India joined the movement around
2014 - 2015, when small pilot
projects were initiated in Kerala and
West Bengal. Since then, floating
solar has captured the attention of
policymakers, utilities, and private
developers. The technology has
matured significantly, and today,
multiple projects with capacities
ranging from a few megawatts to
over 100 MW are either operational
or under construction.
Why Floating Solar Is Gaining
Ground in India
1. Land Scarcity and Rising Lan
Costs
One of the biggest challenges facing
ground-mounted
solar
power
projects in India is land acquisition.
Solar farms require large contigu-
ous tracts of land, often leading to
displacement, legal disputes, or
delays. Floating solar bypasses this
hurdle by utilizing the underused
surfaces of reservoirs and water
bodies
often
government-owned
and relatively free from encum-
brances. This not only reduces the
cost and time of deployment but
also minimizes the environmental
and social impact.
2. Abundant Water Reservoirs
India has over 5,000 large dams and
thousands of other water bodies that
can potentially host floating solar
systems. According to a report by
The Energy and Resources Institute
(TERI), even if a small fraction
(say, 10–15%) of the surface area of
these reservoirs is used, it could add
tens of gigawatts to the country’s
solar capacity.
3. Higher Efficiency Due to Cool-
ing Effect
Water bodies help in cooling the
solar panels, thereby improving
their
efficiency.
Unlike
ground-mounted panels, which can
heat up and lose output, floating
panels stay relatively cool and
maintain
higher
energy
yields.
Studies have shown that floating
solar panels can generate 5–15%
more electricity compared to their
land-based counterparts.
4. Reduced Water Evaporation
Floating solar arrays partially cover
the surface of reservoirs, reducing
the rate of water evaporation. This
is
particularly
significant
in
water-scarce regions of India. For
irrigation or drinking water reser-
voirs, this dual benefit—power
generation plus water conservation
adds considerable value.
5. Reduced Algal Bloom
By shading the water surface, float-
ing panels can help in reducing the
growth of algae, improving water
quality. This is especially useful for
reservoirs
used
in
agriculture,
drinking water supply, and aquacul-
ture.
Key Projects and Success Stories
in India
India has taken substantial strides in
the floating solar domain, with
several successful projects and
ambitious plans.
1. NTPC’s Ramagundam Floating
Solar Plant (Telangana)
Commissioned in 2022, this is
India’s largest floating solar plant
with a capacity of 100 MW. Built on
the reservoir of NTPC’s thermal
power station, it demonstrates the
synergy between old and new
energy sources. The project uses
over 4 lakh solar panels spread
across 500 acres of water.
2. Kayamkulam Floating Solar
Project (Kerala)
Another NTPC venture, the 92 MW
Kayamkulam project in Kerala is
located in the backwaters and built
using modular float structures. It
also involves a unique Power
Purchase Agreement (PPA) where
the energy is sold on the exchange
rather than to a specific buyer.
3. West Bengal's Farakka Project
The Farakka Super Thermal Power
Station is home to a floating solar
project of 5 MW. Though modest in
scale, it demonstrates how legacy
coal infrastructure can be comple-
mented with renewables.
4. REWA
Ultra
Mega
Solar
Limited (MP)
Madhya Pradesh has earmarked
over 600 hectares of reservoir
surface area for floating solar
projects in Omkareshwar. With an
estimated capacity of 600 MW, this
project could become one of the
largest in the world.
These projects are just the tip of the
iceberg. Several states including
43 | June 2025 | www.industrialoutlook.in