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Ciel & Terre Commissions 120 MW Floating Solar Project at Omkareshwar

Floating solar is emerging as a promising solution to India’s land scarcity challenges in renewable energy expansion. In a significant development, Ciel & Terre, in collaboration with L&T and SJVN Green Energy, has commissioned a 120 MW floating solar project on the Omkareshwar reservoir in Madhya Pradesh for Rewa Ultra Mega Solar. Spread across 210 acres, the project consists of 14 floating islands, each generating 8.5 MW, and employs 407,699 Hydrelio floats configured using the aiR OPTIM 1400-3 model to accommodate high-capacity solar modules.

Key innovations include a rock bolt anchoring system, a solution tailored for the irregular, rocky reservoir bed. Traditional anchoring methods were unsuitable due to the risk of displacement, making direct drilling into the rock a secure alternative. Another novel feature is the use of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) floating inverter barges, which reduce transmission losses and enhance durability through corrosion resistance and strength.

The project faced adverse weather and complex terrain challenges but was completed successfully with robust engineering and materials, including spin-welded floats for leak-proof performance.

With floating solar potential estimated at 6,500 MW in Kerala alone, and large-scale tenders like DVC’s 234 MW underway, India’s floating solar market is poised for major growth.