India has commissioned a major floating solar power project on the Omkareshwar Dam in Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in its renewable energy efforts. The 120 MWp plant, developed by Ciel & Terre Solar Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with L&T and SJVN Green Energy Ltd., will supply power to Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd. (RUMSL).
Spanning 210 acres of the dam’s reservoir, the plant uses just 20% of the available 1,060-acre water surface. It features 14 floating islands, each generating 8.5 MWp, and utilizes 407,699 Hydrelio floats arranged in a three-row configuration based on the aiR OPTIM 1400-3 model.
This floating setup not only conserves land but also boosts efficiency by leveraging the natural cooling effect of water. It is projected to cut over 113,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The project incorporates several engineering innovations. These include a rock bolt anchoring system, uniquely suited to the dam’s hard rock bed, and a lightweight yet durable floating inverter barge made of reinforced fiberglass polymer. Additionally, a new spin welding technology was used to create crack-resistant, leakproof floats.
Despite challenging weather and terrain conditions—including floods, high winds, and heat—the team completed the project on time. Ciel & Terre India CEO Deepak Ushadevi praised the collaborative effort, noting the project as a benchmark for future floating solar initiatives.
This is among the largest floating solar plants in India and is expected to inspire similar installations across the country.
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