A NISE report “Solar PV Potential of India (Floating Solar)” estimates reservoirs can host about 102.18 GWp of floating solar, using geospatial filters and a 20% per-reservoir coverage cap.
Scientific framework & methodology
- Inventory mapped: 11,197 inland water bodies evaluated; 682 sites classified as technically feasible.
- Site metrics: Water depth 3–30 m; within 10 km of roads and transmission substations; maximum 20% surface coverage per reservoir.
- Area conversion: Gross water surface 10,725 km2 → usable 1,946 km2 → assessed potential 102.18 GWp.
- National solar horizon: Combined with ground potential, total estimated solar potential = 3,445 GWp.
State-wise distribution
- Maharashtra — 16.28 GWp: Extensive irrigation reservoirs.
- Madhya Pradesh — 14.89 GWp: Large Narmada and Chambal reservoirs.
- Karnataka — 13.69 GWp: Krishna and Cauvery basin reservoirs.
- Odisha — 12.81 GWp: Hirakud and major storage systems.
- Telangana — 10.72 GWp: Lift-irrigation and balancing reservoirs.
Economics & technology
- Capital cost: FSPV ~25% higher upfront than ground-mounted systems.
- Specialised components: HDPE pontoons, UV-resistant platforms, underwater moorings, helical anchors, marine-grade waterproofing, flexible HV cabling.
- Performance effects: Water cooling raises module output by ~5–11%; shading reduces evaporation by ~30–60%.
- Land footprint: Ground farms need ~3–4× more physical area per MW than panel area; FSPV avoids land acquisition.
Operational vulnerabilities
- Case study — Omkareshwar 278 MW: Wind/wave loads caused broken cables and platform misalignment.
- Mooring risk: Large water-level fluctuations induce anchor strain, float joint loosening and orientation shifts.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Nodal agency: NISE is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Global context: Global installed FSPV ≈ 9.6 GW; Asia accounts for ~90% of deployments.
- Policy tools: MNRE planning a dual support scheme for Floating Solar and Agri‑photovoltaics linked to the 500 GW non‑fossil target by 2030.
- Albedo note: Water has lower albedo than land; floatovoltaic designs must account for local radiation and temperature effects.