State-owned NTPC has installed and commenced power production from the country’s largest floating solar power plant at Kayamkulam in Kerala.
In a statement, the company said, the 100 kWp floating solar generation plant, largest of its kind in India, was indigenously developed as a part of ‘Make In India’ initiative, at Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant (RGCCPP) in Kerala’s Kayamkulam district.
Solar panels mounted on floating boards that hold them in place saves land usage and has been found to be efficient than the ones installed on land.
The floating platform were indigenously developed by NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance, in partnership with Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Chennai. A patent has been applied for.
The system was installed by Swelect Energy Systems Ltd, Chennai with support from NETRA & NTPC Kayamkulam station in a short span of 22 days.
“Such systems are fast emerging as an alternative to conventional ground mounted photo-voltaic systems which are land intensive. It has various benefits like conserving water through reduction of evaporation, increased generation due to cooling effect on the panels and requires lesser installation time than conventional land mounted ones,” the NTPC statement said.
