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Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) Technology
Context:
India is exploring innovative avenues to meet its renewable energy targets like floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) technology.
More on News:
- Currently, 2.1 Gigawatts of FSPV projects have been sanctioned till 2024-25.
- The Omkareshwar Reservoir at Madhya Pradesh with 600 megawatts capacity is currently the largest FSPV project in India.
Understanding FSPV Technology
It involves the installation of solar panels on water bodies like reservoirs, lakes, and ponds instead of on land. There are various advantages and disadvantages of this:
Other Countries: US, France, Japan, the UK, Brazil, Ghana, Seychelles, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritius, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, etc.
Status of Solar Energy Production in India
- India aims to create a solar power capacity of 280 GW by 2030
- India’s solar power generation capacity has now surpassed the 70,000 MW mark as of June 2023.
- Rajasthan is the leading state in solar installations, followed by Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
- India is now the 5th largest solar PV market globally.
India’s Stature Globally:
- As of 2022, India is the world’s 4th largest consumer of electricity and the 3rd largest renewable energy producer, with 40% of its energy capacity coming from renewable sources.
- India’s solar energy sector has seen substantial growth, with 89.22 GW of operational solar energy capacity as of September 2020, and ambitious targets set for the future, including 175 GW by 2022 and 500 GW by 2030.
Prominent Schemes:
- Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM): This mission aims to establish India as a global leader in the solar sector by deploying 1,00,000 MW of grid-connected solar power by 2022.
- Development of Solar Park Scheme: This scheme offers financial support from the government to set up and facilitate the infrastructure necessary for solar power plants.
- UDAY Scheme: The Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojna (UDAY) is a revival package for electricity distribution companies in India, aiming to reform the power sector, improve operational efficiency, and increase the use of renewable energy sources like solar power.
- The Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) mandates electricity distribution companies (discoms) and other obligated entities to purchase a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources.
- Rooftop Scheme: Under this scheme, SECI has allocated 200MW of projects, with 45MW already commissioned.
- Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana: This scheme aims to promote the installation of rooftop solar power systems, furthering the country’s solar energy goals.
- PM KUSUM Scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) scheme aims to promote the installation of solar energy systems for agricultural purposes, including small grid-connected solar power plants, stand-alone solar-powered agricultural pumps, and the solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.
Conclusion
India’s potential for floating solar is vast, but to realise the estimated 206 GW capacity, the country must tackle a range of challenges, including technological feasibility, site selection, regulatory frameworks, financing constraints, and environmental concerns.
