could install over 280 GW of float-
ing solar capacity on just 30% of its
medium and large water reservoirs.
This is almost half of India’s total
installed power capacity today.
In the coming decade, we can
expect:
• Rapid Cost Decline: As more
projects come online, economies of
scale and local manufacturing will
reduce costs.
• Technological Advancements:
Smart inverters, AI-based monitor-
ing, and improved float materials
will enhance reliability and lifes-
pan.
• Hybrid Solutions: Combining
floating solar with hydro (using the
same reservoir), wind, or storage
will become common, improving
grid stability and project econom-
ics.
• Rural Electrification: Floating
solar microgrids on village ponds
can power remote areas without
disturbing land use.
• Export Opportunities: As India
becomes a hub for floating solar
technology,
it
could
export
know-how
and
components
to
Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin
America.
India’s commitment to renewable
energy is not just a policy decision
it is an existential necessity. With a
rapidly
growing
population,
expanding
urbanization,
and
soaring energy demand, India finds
itself at a pivotal moment. Among
various renewable options, solar
energy has emerged as the most
promising. However, as India scales
its solar ambitions to meet the ambi-
tious target of 500 GW of non-fossil
fuel energy by 2030, it confronts a
fundamental challenge land.
Enter floating solar farms solar
power installations mounted on
structures that float on water
bodies. This elegant yet powerful
innovation is reshaping how India
thinks about harnessing the sun.
Once considered futuristic or exper-
imental, floating solar has arrived,
and it's poised to become the new
wave of renewable energy in the
country.
This article delves into why floating
solar farms are gaining traction in
India, how they work, their advan-
tages
and
challenges,
notable
projects already underway, and
what the future holds.
Why Floating Solar Farms, and
Why Now?
India has traditionally relied on
large-scale land-based solar farms
to scale its solar capacity. But these
projects face limitations:
• Land acquisition hurdles
• Competition with agriculture
• High land costs in urban or
semi-urban areas
• Environmental degradation
In contrast, floating solar offers a
way
to
decarbonize
without
encroaching on land by utilizing
idle water surfaces such as reser-
voirs, lakes, ponds, canals, and even
industrial water bodies.
What makes floating solar especial-
ly timely and important in the
Indian context is the convergence
of three forces:
1. Policy urgency: With interna-
tional climate commitments under
the Paris Agreement and a stated
goal to reach net-zero emissions by
2070, India must look for creative
ways
to
accelerate
renewable
energy deployment.
2. Technological maturity: Float-
ing solar, once plagued by cost and
reliability
issues,
has
matured
significantly. Proven at utility-scale
globally, it is now bankable.
3. Geographical advantage: India
has more than 5,000 large dams and
thousands of lakes and ponds many
of which can host floating solar
systems without displacing existing
usage.
How Floating Solar Farms Work
Floating solar farms operate on the
same
photovoltaic
principle
as
land-based solar systems. The main
difference lies in the installation
method:
• Floating platforms: High-density
polyethylene (HDPE) pontoons or
floaters serve as the base for solar
panels, allowing them to float on
water.
• Anchoring and mooring: These
systems are tethered to the bottom
or banks of the water body to
remain stable despite wind and
wave action.
• Cabling: Special waterproof and
UV-resistant cables connect the
panels to inverters, and ultimately
to the grid.
• Energy storage (optional): In
some cases, battery storage systems
are added to store excess energy,
improving reliability and efficiency.
The Benefits: Why Floating Solar
Makes So Much Sense for India
1. Addressing Land Scarcity
Land is a finite and often politically
sensitive resource in India. Floating
solar circumvents this issue entire-
ly. By placing installations on
underutilized water surfaces, states
can avoid land acquisition conflicts
and accelerate deployment.
2. Enhancing Panel Efficiency
Water naturally cools the solar
panels, allowing them to perform
more efficiently. Studies show that
floating
systems
can
produce
5–15%
more
energy
than
ground-mounted ones due to this
“natural cooling effect.”
3. Reducing Water Evaporation
In a country frequently plagued by
drought and water scarcity, floating
solar panels offer an additional
benefit: they shade the water
surface, reducing evaporation. This
is particularly useful for reservoirs
and irrigation dams in arid regions.
4. Dual Use of Infrastructure
Placing floating solar on hydroelec-
tric dams, drinking water reservoirs,
or industrial lakes allows dual use
of existing infrastructure, maximiz-
ing return on investment.
COVER STORY
45 | June 2025 | www.industrialoutlook.in