The rapid scale-up of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is central to achieving global and national climate and energy transition goals. While ground-mounted solar PV has expanded significantly, land availability has emerged as a critical constraint, particularly in densely populated regions and areas with competing land uses. Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FSPV), which involve deploying solar PV systems on water bodies and ponds, offer a strategic solution to this challenge by enabling large-scale solar deployment without exerting additional pressure on land resources.
This report “Solar PV Potential of India (Floating Solar)” published by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) presents a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of India’s FSPV potential. Globally, FSPV has evolved into a rapidly expanding segment of the solar sector, led by countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan, with cumulative installed capacity reaching ~9.6 GW by 2024 and annual additions of ~1–1.2 GW. Growth has been concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region due to land constraints, supportive policies, and the availability of water bodies. International experience indicates that even partial utilisation of reservoir surfaces can unlock significant solar potential, alongside co-benefits such as reduced evaporation and enhanced PV efficiency due to water-induced cooling. In this context, the report highlights the need for a systematic assessment framework to enable evidence-based policymaking, infrastructure planning, and investment decisions, while ensuring environmental sustainability, grid integration, and long-term operational reliability.
Based on this integrated assessment, the study estimated India’s total floating solar potential at approximately 102.18 GWp, with a constraint of using only 20% of the reservoir area. The potential is unevenly distributed across states, with particularly high concentrations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, and Gujarat, reflecting the availability of large, technically suitable reservoirs and inland water bodies. Smaller and shallow water bodies have been deliberately excluded to avoid overestimation and to align the results with practical deployment considerations.
Overall, the findings highlight floating solar as a significant and scalable complement to ground-mounted PV in India’s renewable energy portfolio. By optimising the use of underutilised water surfaces, floating solar can help overcome land constraints, enhance energy security, support water conservation objectives, and accelerate progress toward national renewable energy and climate targets. The assessment provides a strong analytical foundation for policymakers, developers, and financial institutions to prioritise sites, design targeted interventions, and mainstream floating solar within India’s long-term clean energy strategy.
Access the report here
Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) is seeking consultants to execute a bathymetry survey and soil test report for a 600 MW floating solar power project at Chandil Dam in Jharkhand.The survey’s goals include determining […]
Oriana Power has announced the successful commissioning of a novel 800kW AC/ 1MWp DC floating solar power plant at Dabok mines of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The project has been commissioned for Udaipur Cement Works Limited (UCWL), […]
The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has issued a tender to recruit consultancy services for the installation of 6.9 MW of floating solar power projects in Kochi’s rainwater harvesting pond and shore tank farm. As […]
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