Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, a ₹5,070 crore scheme to promote floating solar power projects on reservoirs and other water bodies, targeting 5,000 MW capacity by 2030-31.
Key Features
- Financial Assistance: Up to ₹1 crore per MW for floating solar projects.
- Battery Storage: Mandatory 2-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with projects.
- Implementing Agency: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
- Target: 5,000 MW floating solar capacity by 2030-31.
Why is the Scheme Needed?
- India has installed only 0.7 GW of floating solar against an estimated 102 GW potential.
- Addresses land scarcity for new solar parks, especially in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Battery storage improves grid stability and reduces renewable energy curtailment.
Significance
- Expands renewable energy without acquiring additional land.
- Reduces water evaporation from reservoirs.
- Improves solar panel efficiency due to the cooling effect of water.
- Supports India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030 and Net Zero by 2070.
Challenges
- Higher installation and maintenance costs than ground-mounted solar plants.
- Complex clearances due to multiple authorities managing water bodies.
- Possible ecological impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
- Battery storage increases project costs.
Floating Solar Power
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on lakes, reservoirs, dams and other water bodies.
- Requires floating platforms, anchoring systems and underwater cables.
- Suitable where land availability is limited.
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
- Established in 2011.
- Functions under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Nodal agency for implementing renewable energy schemes and conducting renewable energy auctions.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana vs Surya Sarovar Yojana
- PM Surya Ghar: Rooftop solar for households.
- Surya Sarovar Yojana: Floating solar projects on reservoirs and water bodies.
- Related Initiatives: National Green Hydrogen Mission, National Solar Mission, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, and PM-KUSUM Scheme
[2022, GS3, 15.0 marks] Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy help achieve the above objective? Explain.
[2019] With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements :
1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
[A] 1 only
[B] 2 only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2