Solar panels on water, but no sites in sight; Kerala’s 3,000 MW floating solar plan remains stalled

KOCHI: Kerala’s plan to generate 3,000 MW of electricity through floating solar panels on water bodies has remained on paper, with no suitable sites identified even after guidelines for the project were approved last year.

The process began in 2022, when the KSEB and Water Resources Department started exploring reservoirs, backwaters, quarries and other unused areas for floating solar projects. However, the search for suitable water bodies has not yielded any sites so far.

A high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary designated the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) as the nodal agency on December 9, 2022. Guidelines drawn up after consultations with various departments were approved by the government on March 1, 2025.

The guidelines call for considering uncultivable land, waterlogged areas and water bodies created through quarrying and mining. District-level land banks are also to be prepared to identify potential sites.

Before a site is taken up, its existing use would have to be assessed, including activities such as fishing and water transport. The project would also require scrutiny and clearances from several departments, including Agriculture, Water Resources, Fisheries, Revenue, Forest and Environment, and Local Self-Government.

Higher costs

Floating solar projects are expected to cost 10–15% more in capital expenditure than solar plants installed on land. The additional expense would include floating structures and anchoring systems.

Changing water levels, strong winds, maintenance and the challenge of transmitting the electricity generated are among the other issues that could make such projects more complicated.

The water’s cooling effect, however, was expected to improve power generation by 5–10%, according to the assessment.

ANERT was designated to coordinate the monitoring and follow-up action once proposals were received. So far, however, none has reached the agency.

“If proposals are received, ANERT will coordinate the monitoring and further action. However, no proposal has been received so far,” ANERT officials said.