There is no doubt that India has emerged as a global leader in the field of solar energy. India ranks fourth globally, with a total current capacity of 40 gigawatts. Only China, Brazil, the United States, and Canada rank higher. Solar energy is significantly contributing to India’s renewable energy goals, with the International Solar Alliance headquartered in India.
Jun Yee Chew, head of Asia renewables and power research at Rystad Energy, said, ‘The potential of floating solar in hydropower-rich nations is crucial. FPV’s modular design allows integration with existing hydropower dams, unlocking tremendous opportunities in regions where land for solar farms is scarce.’
Various innovations are occurring in solar energy, and floating solar has also emerged as an interesting concept. According to PV Magazine and Dialogue Earth reports, by the end of 2023, India had installed 2.7 gigawatts of floating solar, ranking third globally. An exciting development has emerged from Mumbai, Maharashtra, in this area.
Railway’s Floating Solar Initiative in Mumbai
Like other government and private enterprises in the country, Indian Railways is also constantly exploring alternative electricity sources. Efforts are underway to light up stations by generating electricity through lakes. A floating solar plant is being installed by the Railways in Mumbai, specifically in Igatpuri Lake. This will be the Railways’ first floating solar plant, with solar panels installed on the lake’s surface to maximise energy generation without occupying land. This innovative approach combines solar technology and water bodies for green energy generation. The total capacity of this solar plant will be 10 MW, aimed at fulfilling the needs of railway stations and other requirements. Notably, Indian Railways has set a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030 to make transportation eco friendly and cost effective.
The Central Railway unit has already installed rooftop solar panels totaling 12.5 MWp at railway stations, leading to savings of Rs 4 crore 62 lakh between 2023 and 2024, and reducing the carbon footprint by 6594.81 metric tonnes. The Railways plan to install an additional 7 MWp solar panels in 2024, equivalent to planting two and a half lakh trees. The monthly electricity consumption for traction work is 236.92 million units, while for non-traction work, it is 9.7 million units.
What is special in Floating Solar Panels
Floating solar panels are increasingly preferred for their affordability and efficiency. They coordinate with water bodies for energy generation without hindering agricultural development or urbanisation, as no land acquisition is required. According to research published by Springer, the cooling effect of water bodies increases the efficiency of these panels by 2% compared to land based solar panels, allowing them to generate more power. Additionally, floating solar panels do not have the carbon emissions associated with land use changes in land.based solar systems, making them a cleaner and greener energy option.