The Ramagundam Floating Solar Power Plant, which is currently being developed by the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC), holds the record for being the largest of its kind in India. With an impressive generation capacity of 100MW, it is located in the Peddapalli district of Telangana.
Floating Solar Plants: An Innovative Solution to Indian Energy Needs
Floating solar plants offer a unique solution to energy requirements. They involve the deployment of photovoltaic panels on bodies of water, presenting a practical alternative to conventional land-based solar arrays. With a generous number of major reservoirs scattered throughout the Southern Region, this method of renewable energy production promises significant opportunities for implementation in India.
Upcoming Renewable Energy Projects in India
The thermal plant at Ramagundam is just one of several renewable energy facilities earmarked for development by NTPC. Collectively, these developments have a projected installed capacity of 447MW in the Southern Region with completion expected by March 2023. Among these is a 25MW floating solar plant at Simhadri thermal power plant near Visakhapatnam and a 92MW floating solar plant at Kayamkulam in Kerala, both of which are likely to be commissioned within the next three months.
Benefits of Floating Solar Plants
Floating solar plants present an array of advantages. They help address land acquisition challenges faced by renewable energy plant owners—made difficult due to high population density and competing land uses—and offer the added benefit of dual land usage. Bodies of water also deliver a cooling effect, improving solar panel performance by 5 to 10 percent over time. This cooling effect translates into substantial cost savings. Additional advantages include reduced grid interconnection costs, reduced water evaporation, improved water quality, and minimized algal blooming.
Challenges Associated with Floating Solar Plants
Floating solar plants are not without challenges. Construction and engineering costs are typically higher than those of ground-mounted solar farms. Given the proximity of water and electricity, special precautions must be taken in matters of cable management and insulation testing. Moreover, these systems’ moving parts may face degradation and corrosion due to constant friction, mechanical stress, and exposure to moisture—particularly in harsh coastal climates. Finally, a comprehensive understanding of water-bed topography is essential when setting up anchors for floats.
Solar Energy Initiative in India
The National Solar Mission forms an integral part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It aims to install 100 GW of grid-connected solar power plants by 2022. The mission aligns with the country’s Intentionally Determined Contribution (INDC) goal to achieve about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources and reduce emission intensity by 33 to 35% from the 2005 level by 2030.
Other Government Schemes
Several other government initiatives such as the Solar Park Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, and Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme support solar energy growth. Moreover, the ambitious ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ cross-border power grid plan seeks to transfer solar power generated in one region to feed the electricity demands of others.
About National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
The NTPC Ltd, headquartered in New Delhi, is a central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) incepted in 1975 to expedite power development within India. Today, it is the country’s largest energy conglomerate. It became a Maharatna company in May 2010 and prides itself on providing reliable power and related solutions in an economical, efficient, and environment-friendly manner, driven by innovation and agility.
