including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,
Odisha, Gujarat, and Jharkhand are
actively exploring floating solar
potential.
Technical
and
Environmental
Challenges
Despite its promise, floating solar is
not without its challenges.
1. Engineering Complexity
Designing systems that can with-
stand water currents, wind loads,
and varying water levels requires
advanced
engineering.
Floating
structures, mooring systems, and
underwater
cabling
must
be
designed with precision.
2. Higher Initial Costs
Floating solar systems are currently
more expensive to install than
land-based ones. Costs can be
15–20% higher due to specialized
equipment and installation proce-
dures. However, these costs are
expected
to
fall
with
scale,
standardization, and innovation.
3. Ecological Concerns
While floating solar helps reduce
evaporation, covering large portions
of water surfaces can impact aquatic
ecosystems. Limiting sunlight pene-
tration can affect fish, plant life, and
micro-organisms. Hence, ecological
impact assessments and careful site
selection are crucial.
4. Operation
and
Maintenance
(O&M)
Maintaining floating solar systems
is relatively new terrain for Indian
operators. Issues like biofouling,
corrosion, or access difficulties
require tailored O&M protocols and
trained personnel.
Policy Support and Government
Initiatives
The Indian government recognizes
the potential of floating solar and
has taken several steps to encourage
its development.
•
National
Solar
Mission
&
Targets: India aims to install 500
GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by
2030, with solar contributing a
major share. Floating solar offers an
avenue to meet this goal without
additional land pressures.
• SECI Tenders: The Solar Energy
Corporation of India (SECI) has
floated tenders specifically for
floating solar, including hybrid
tenders that combine floating solar
with storage or wind power.
• Viability Gap Funding (VGF):
Some floating projects qualify for
VGF, helping bridge the cost differ-
ence between traditional and inno-
vative solar installations.
• State-Level Policies: States like
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharash-
tra are creating dedicated policies or
tenders for floating solar to attract
private investment and partner-
ships.
Role of Private Sector and Start-
ups
India’s renewable sector has tradi-
tionally been led by large public
sector players like NTPC and SECI.
However, the floating solar space is
increasingly
attracting
private
developers, EPC contractors, and
startups.
Companies like TATA Power Solar,
Adani Green, ReNew Power, and
Avaada Energy have begun diversi-
fying into floating projects. Mean-
while, startups are innovating in
float design, modular installation,
mooring systems, and monitoring
software.
International collaboration is also
playing a role. Japan’s Kyocera,
Singapore’s Sunseap, and China’s
Sungrow have either partnered with
Indian firms or shown interest in
investing.
Future Outlook and Potential
The potential for floating solar in
India is immense. According to a
report by the World Bank, India
COVER STORY
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