Floating Solar PV Technology Takes Off in India: A Promising Future for Renewable Energy
Floating solar PV (FPV) technology has made significant strides in recent years, with over 2 GW installed worldwide and expected high annual growth rates. This innovative approach to solar power generation offers potential terawatt-scale installations in the future. India is among the countries that have recognized the potential of FPV and have started implementing it in various projects.
Recent examples of FPV adoption in India include the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Kochi. These organizations have recognized the numerous benefits that FPV technology brings, such as reduced land requirements, increased energy efficiency, and reduced water evaporation.
FPV technology has been most successful in markets with high land costs, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. However, its potential goes beyond land conservation. FPV can help mitigate evaporation from reservoirs and maintain water quality, which is vulnerable to undesirable processes like UV-initiated bromination and algae blooming.
In addition to FPV, another emerging value-stacking application is agrivoltaics (APV). This technology involves the integration of solar panels with agricultural land, providing benefits like cooler operating temperatures and increased overall efficiency.
While FPV and APV have demonstrated considerable potential, there are still challenges to overcome. Detailed experimental studies and new modeling techniques are required to quantify the value-stacking benefits of these technologies.
India’s adoption of FPV technology is a testament to the country’s commitment to renewable energy sources. As projects like those by NTPC and BPCL Kochi continue to pave the way for FPV implementation, the country stands to benefit significantly from increased energy efficiency, reduced land use, and improved water conservation.
Indian case studies of floating solar PV installations:
| Project Name | Location | Capacity (MW) | Developer | Commissioned Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayanad Floating PV | Wayanad, Kerala | 0.5 | KSEB | 2020 |
| NTPC Kayamkulam | Kayamkulam, Kerala | 0.1 | NTPC | 2018 |
| NTPC Ramagundam | Ramagundam, Telangana | 100 | NTPC | 2021 |
| NTPC Simhadri | Simhadri, Andhra Pradesh | 25 | NTPC | 2021 |
| BPCL Kochi Refinery | Kochi, Kerala | 6 | BPCL | 2020 |
| Narmada Canal Project | Vadodara, Gujarat | 1 | SSNNL | 2021 |
| Deras Dam | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 2 | GEDCOL | 2021 |
The future of renewable energy in India looks promising with the growing adoption of floating solar PV technology. As the country continues to explore and invest in this innovative approach to solar power generation, it paves the way for a more sustainable and efficient energy future.