India's floating solar PV potential assessed at over 102 GWp
New Delhi, June 10
India's floating solar PV potential has been estimated at over 102 GWp which takes the country's total assessed solar potential to 3,445 GWp, according to a report released by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday.
He said the Ministry is working on a dedicated scheme to promote floating solar deployment across the country.
Joshi said that reservoirs and other water bodies are emerging as important assets for clean energy generation through floating solar projects. He added that these initiatives reflect the Government's commitment to harnessing natural resources in a sustainable and efficient manner while accelerating India's clean energy transition.
The Minister also launched the online portal for the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme, stating that it will enhance transparency and efficiency in implementation. He said the initiative marks the first major policy intervention in the small hydro sector since 2017.
Joshi said that flagship programmes such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM are expanding citizen participation in India's clean energy transition and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy across the country.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and leadership over the past twelve years have transformed India into a global clean energy leader and accelerated the country's journey towards Viksit Bharat," the minister said.
Joshi highlighted that India has emerged as one of the world's leading solar markets, with non-fossil fuel capacity increasing from 81 GW in 2014 to 288 GW and solar capacity rising from 2.8 GW to 155 GW. He added that domestic solar manufacturing capacity has also expanded significantly, with module manufacturing reaching 192 GW and cell manufacturing capacity touching 30 GW.
The Minister said that India's clean energy achievements have earned global recognition and demonstrated the country's ability to deliver on ambitious climate and energy goals. He added that India has transformed from a power-deficit nation into a power-surplus nation while emerging as a major renewable energy manufacturing hub.
On the occasion, NISE and Military Engineering Services exchanged an MoU to strengthen the adoption of solar energy across defence establishments. Under the collaboration, NISE will provide technical support for planning, implementation and monitoring of renewable energy projects.
Joshi also released the book "Green Energy and Sustainable Development" authored by Dr. Mohammad Rihan. He expressed confidence that the publication would serve as a valuable resource for students, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders.
The Minister complimented NISE and its team for their contribution to research, innovation and technical support in advancing India's renewable energy ambitions. He said the initiatives launched today would contribute significantly towards building a self-reliant and developed India powered by clean energy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Floating solar is a great way to avoid land acquisition issues! But we need to ensure water quality and aquatic life aren't harmed. The MoU with Military Engineering Services is interesting—would be nice to see defence lands also used for renewables. Overall, positive step towards Viksit Bharat.
Impressive numbers but let's be honest—floating solar has high initial costs and maintenance challenges in Indian conditions (algae, corrosion, monsoon storms). The government should also focus on rooftop solar adoption which is more accessible for common citizens. PM Surya Ghar scheme is good but implementation needs to speed up.
As someone who works in renewable energy globally, India's progress is truly remarkable. Going from 2.8 GW to 155 GW solar in a decade is world-class. The floating solar potential assessment shows they're thinking ahead. Hope the government ensures grid integration and storage solutions keep pace with generation.
Finally some good news on renewable energy! The small hydro portal launching is long overdue—last policy intervention was in 2017. Hope this brings transparency and helps small developers. Also glad to see research publications being encouraged. We need more indigenous innovation in this sector.
Good progress but I'm concerned about environmental impact on water bodies. We need proper studies before deploying large floating solar farms. Also, what about the rural areas still facing power cuts? Clean energy is great but reliability and affordability for common people should remain top priority.
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