Home / Environment / India Floats Solar Power: New Plan Unveiled
India Floats Solar Power: New Plan Unveiled
3 Sep
Summary
- 5,000 MW floating solar capacity with energy storage approved.
- Scheme aims to ease land pressure and boost grid reliability.
- India's solar capacity surged from 3 GW to over 162 GW.
India's solar energy expansion is embracing a novel phase with the approval of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY). This scheme, sanctioned on July 31, 2026, champions 5,000 MW of floating solar photovoltaic capacity, integrated with energy storage systems offering a minimum two-hour capacity.
The initiative, backed by a ₹5,070 crore outlay from FY 2026-27 to 2030-31, seeks to mitigate land use conflicts and bolster the grid's reliability. It builds upon India's impressive solar growth, which saw installed capacity skyrocket from 3 GW in 2014 to 162.15 GW by June 30, 2026.
Floating solar projects, deployed on reservoirs and inland water bodies, offer an alternative to land-intensive installations. The NISE estimates India's floating solar potential at 102.18 GWp. These systems can also benefit from water's cooling effect, potentially increasing energy generation by 0.6% to 4.4%.
Several large floating solar projects are already operational or under development, including the 600 MW Omkareshwar project. The PM-SSY aims to significantly expand this footprint, fostering job creation and supporting domestic manufacturing of solar components and storage systems.
