Private companies to install solar panels on water bodies, dams in Maharashtra

In a desperate attempt to boost the dwindling production of solar energy in the State, Maharashtra will allow private players to install panels on water bodies, rivers and dams.

The ‘floating’ policy for solar panels is aimed taking the State’s power generation from solar sources from the current 624 mega watts (mw) to about 3,200 mw or 40% of the total renewable energy production of 7,839 mw. Maharashtra generates 34,000 mw of energy from all sources every month but renewable energy forms only a tiny fraction of this. The new policy will be finalised and placed before the State cabinet for approvals this month.

Staff shortage

Senior officials said the government is short of land to construct solar plants, and constructing massive solar plants on water bodies is already a nascent global trend. According to the policy, clean energy companies will also be allowed to use wetlands, canals and ponds for a project up to 2,000 mw capacity.

“Placing the panels on water bodies will also free up land for agriculture, but the panels will need water proofing. The idea is to increase the percentage of solar to 40% of the total renewable energy generation for Maharashtra,” said an official of the State Energy Department.

The State’s record in developing renewable sources is poor. The renewable sources other than solar are wind, bagasse, small hydro projects, biomass, urban solid waste and industrial waste among others.

“We have an installed capacity in solar of 624 mw but we believe the unrealised potential is 7,500 mw,” said an official.

Power Minister Chandrakant Bavankule has already announced a plan to bring the whole of Maharashtra under solar power. The ministry has, in the current budget session, demanded Rs 8,240 crore for the Energy Department. “Our first targets are district schools and lift irrigation schemes,” Mr. Bavnakule had said earlier.

This year, Maharashtra has signed 18 MoUs with energy companies promising an investment of Rs. 1,63,268 crore and jobs to 41,785 people in the solar sector. These include the Adani Green Energy Ltd, Tata Power Co Ltd, Torrent Power Ltd and Waaree Energies Ltd.