New Delhi:India’s push for floating solar infrastructure is gathering significant momentum, offering an efficient path toward expanding clean energy capacity without intensifying land acquisition constraints.
The national assessment by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) under the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), monitored by Secretary Shri Santosh Sarangi under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, estimates India’s nationwide floating solar potential at 102.18 GW across nearly 1,946 square kilometers of feasible reservoir area.
This unlocks a massive land-neutral expansion that pushes India’s total assessed solar potential to 3,445 GW. Leading states driving this nationwide assessment include Maharashtra (16.28 GW), Madhya Pradesh (14.89 GW), Karnataka (13.69 GW), Odisha (12.81 GW), and Telangana (10.72 GW).
Odisha holds considerable strategic value in this national roadmap. According to estimates by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Odisha possesses approximately 21 GW of floating solar technical potential across its vast network of 1.8 lakh water bodies, ranking third highest among Indian states. Alternative sector studies by research bodies like iFOREST suggest the state could unlock between 6.7 GW under conservative usage to nearly 18.7 GW across 125 viable reservoirs, with technical estimates stretching up to 33.5 GW when accounting for broader water coverage.
Key reservoirs identified with high generation potential include Hirakud and Rengali, which combined hold roughly 3.7 GW of floating solar capacity, alongside Upper Indravati, Balimela, Jalaput, and Mandira. To leverage these natural assets, the state government has initiated feasibility assessments across 51 medium reservoirs, aiming to operationalize an initial tranche of 1,000 MW as part of its targets under the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy.
Deploying floating solar panels on major reservoirs provides a distinct advantage by pairing solar generation with existing hydroelectric infrastructure. Co-located systems allow solar output to feed the grid during peak daytime hours while preserving reservoir water levels for nighttime hydropower generation, reducing evaporation losses and maximizing overall grid stability.