As India pushes hard to implement 100 GW of solar power by 2022, it is exploring all options to achieve this ambitious goal. Now the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is looking at floating solar power plants.
According to The Economic Times (ET), a local business daily, MNRE has initiated a study to figure out the potential of floating solar parks in the country. Germany's KfW Development Bank will provide funding for the first two large solar projects with a total capacity of 40 MW to showcase this kind of solar application and ascertain its technical viability.
The initial investment for the two plants is about 3 billion INR ($44 million). The projects will be built in the states of Maharashtra and Kerala.
The feasibility study is being conducted by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Renewable Energy College with help from the National Remote Sensing Centre.
Though a country as vast as India with a huge landmass shouldn't have trouble locating suitable land for large scale solar projects, procurement of land is generally one of the trouble areas for developers. Floating solar plants do not take up any space on land and can be rented out for a minimal price. Moreover, such applications would help keep the solar panels relatively cool to improve yields.
The news comes right after the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) was reported to be conducting a feasibility study for floating solar power capacity of 600 MW at the Koyna Hydel Power Complex (see Hydro Meets Solar).