TL;DR
India’s floating solar potential is now estimated at over 102 GW, according to a new report from NISE. This significantly increases India’s total deployable solar capacity, highlighting a major opportunity for renewable energy expansion.
India’s floating solar PV potential has been officially estimated at over 102 GW, according to a new report from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). This assessment increases India’s total deployable solar capacity to 3,445 GW, underscoring the country’s expanding renewable energy prospects. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is preparing a dedicated scheme to promote floating solar deployment nationwide.
The NISE report applied specific screening criteria to identify water bodies suitable for floating solar projects, including minimum water body size, water availability year-round, depth between 3 and 30 meters, and proximity to infrastructure. Out of 10,725.99 km² of mapped water bodies across India, 4,546.01 km² were deemed suitable, with an effective deployment area capped at 1,946.24 km², corresponding to a potential of 102.18 GW.
Maharashtra leads with an estimated floating solar potential of 16.28 GW, followed by Madhya Pradesh (14.89 GW), Karnataka (13.69 GW), Odisha (12.81 GW), and Telangana (10.72 GW). The assessment assumes the use of 545 W modules with 21% efficiency, installed at a 5-degree tilt, and considers ecological limits by capping floating installations at 20% of each water body’s surface.
Implications for India’s Renewable Energy Expansion
This development highlights a significant opportunity for India to expand its renewable energy capacity, particularly in water-scarce regions where floating solar can reduce land use conflicts and ecological impacts. The estimated 102 GW potential could substantially contribute to India’s climate commitments and energy security goals, potentially transforming the country into a major player in floating solar deployment.
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India’s Growing Solar Energy Ambitions
India’s total assessed solar potential has steadily increased over recent years, with prior estimates placing ground-mounted PV potential at approximately 3,343 GW. The new floating solar assessment adds a substantial dimension to this capacity, driven by the government’s push for diversified renewable sources. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has indicated plans to accelerate floating solar projects through targeted schemes, reflecting a strategic shift towards utilizing water bodies for solar deployment.
“The assessment underscores the vast untapped potential of floating solar in India, which can complement ground-mounted projects and address land constraints.”
— an anonymous researcher
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Uncertainties in Deployment and Ecological Impact
While the potential is clearly estimated at over 102 GW, it remains uncertain how much of this capacity will be economically feasible or environmentally sustainable to develop at scale. Specific project costs, ecological impacts, and regulatory hurdles are still to be fully assessed, and actual deployment may be limited by these factors.
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Next Steps for Policy and Project Development
The MNRE is expected to announce a dedicated floating solar scheme aimed at incentivizing projects and addressing regulatory challenges. Further detailed feasibility studies and pilot projects are likely to follow, providing clarity on ecological impacts and technological requirements. Monitoring these developments will be key to understanding how much of the estimated potential can be realized in practice.
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Key Questions
How much floating solar capacity does India have the potential for?
India’s floating solar potential is estimated at over 102 GW, according to a recent NISE report.
Which Indian states have the highest floating solar potential?
Maharashtra leads with 16.28 GW, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana.
What criteria were used to assess suitable water bodies?
Criteria included minimum water body size (10 hectares), year-round water availability, depth between 3 and 30 meters, minimum GHI of 4.5 kWh/m²/day, and proximity to infrastructure.
What are the main uncertainties around this potential?
Uncertainties include economic feasibility, ecological impacts, regulatory hurdles, and actual project implementation capacity.
What is the next step for floating solar in India?
The government plans to introduce a dedicated scheme to promote floating solar projects, with further feasibility studies and pilot projects expected to follow.
Source: PV Magazine
