MNRE Holds Stakeholder Consultation on Draft Floating Solar Policy and Potential Assessment

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) convened a stakeholder consultation workshop on February 20, 2026, to deliberate on the draft Floating Solar PV (FSPV) Potential Assessment Report and the draft Floating Solar Policy framework. The meeting was chaired by J.V.N. Subramanyam, Joint Secretary, MNRE.

The draft documents have been prepared by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) to address existing gaps in floating solar deployment across the country.

With increasing land constraints impacting the pace of renewable energy expansion, floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) systems have emerged as a viable alternative. However, India has commissioned only around 700 MW of floating solar capacity so far, primarily due to the absence of reliable site-specific potential data and a comprehensive policy framework for project implementation.

To address these bottlenecks, MNRE, in collaboration with NISE and IIT Roorkee, has developed a structured assessment of floating solar potential and a draft policy aimed at streamlining approvals and execution mechanisms.

During the consultation, MNRE urged States and Union Territories to conduct internal consultations with key departments including Water Resources, Irrigation, Revenue, Fisheries, Forest, Agriculture, DISCOMs, Transmission utilities, Public Works Departments, Tourism, and Pollution Control Boards. States have been requested to provide feedback on both the draft policy and the identified potential sites.

Discussions also focused on innovative implementation models such as “plug and play” approaches and pre-approved allotment of water bodies to reduce project risks for developers and investors. Based on the draft potential assessment and policy framework, States and UTs have been encouraged to identify and prioritise suitable water bodies for floating solar development.

MNRE indicated that further consultations will be held with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Wetland Authority, and the National Dam Safety Authority to refine the floating solar policy after incorporating feedback from States.

The workshop witnessed participation from senior MNRE officials, representatives of Renewable Energy State Nodal Agencies, States and UTs, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), NISE, and IIT Roorkee.