Floating Solar Set for Major Boost as India Maps 102 GW Potential

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Written by Yogesh Kumar for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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India has identified more than 102 gigawatts (GW) of deployable floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) potential, marking a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy journey. The assessment, conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy, highlights the vast opportunity to utilize reservoirs, lakes and other water bodies for clean energy generation while reducing pressure on scarce land resources. The study estimates a floating solar potential of 102 GW, further strengthening India's already ambitious solar energy roadmap.

According to Industrial Info Resources data, there are currently 134 active floating solar power projects in India, with a total investment value of US$17.98 billion. The Industrial Info Resources Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database reports can be viewed here.

The assessment identified 4,546 square kilometers of suitable water bodies for floating solar development across India. Applying sustainability criteria and limiting deployment to a maximum of 20% of the surface area of eligible water bodies resulted in an effective deployment area of 1,946 square kilometers, corresponding to the estimated 102 GW potential. Maharashtra leads with 16.28 GW of assessed floating solar potential, followed by Madhya Pradesh (14.89 GW), Karnataka (13.69 GW), Odisha (12.81 GW), and Telangana (10.72 GW).

To accelerate deployment, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is working on a dedicated support scheme aimed at promoting floating solar projects across the country. The initiative is expected to provide policy and financial backing, helping states and developers scale up installations while leveraging benefits such as reduced water evaporation, improved solar module efficiency due to cooling effects, and the optimized use of existing water infrastructure.

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