Tata Power has entered into a collaboration agreement with Norway-based renewable energy technology company Ocean Sun to introduce and evaluate advanced membrane-based floating solar technology in India. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2nd India–EFTA Prosperity Summit, highlighting growing cooperation between India and Norway in clean energy innovation and technology development.
Under the partnership, the companies will develop an approximately 300 kWp floating solar pilot project at Tata Power’s Mulshi reservoir in Maharashtra. The project will assess the performance, reliability, cost competitiveness and scalability of Ocean Sun’s proprietary floating solar technology under Indian operating conditions.
The pilot is expected to provide technical and commercial insights into the technology’s potential for wider deployment. Tata Power will evaluate several parameters, including electricity generation, capacity utilisation factor (CUF), installation methods and timelines, operational reliability, maintenance requirements, capital expenditure and overall commercial viability.
Ocean Sun’s floating solar technology differs from conventional systems that rely on interconnected pontoon structures. Instead, the technology uses a thin, hydro-elastic membrane that supports solar photovoltaic modules directly on the water surface. The lightweight design could reduce structural requirements, simplify transportation and installation, and potentially improve energy generation through the cooling effect of water.
India represents a significant market opportunity for floating solar installations. According to estimates from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the country has more than 102 GWp of floating solar potential. The technology could complement conventional ground-mounted and rooftop solar installations while reducing land requirements for renewable energy development.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power, emphasised the company’s commitment to adopting innovative clean energy technologies. He stated that the collaboration would help assess the technical and commercial feasibility of membrane-based floating solar solutions and generate operational insights to support their potential deployment at scale.
Kristian Tørvold, CEO of Ocean Sun, described India as an attractive but complex market for floating solar development. He highlighted Tata Power’s local market knowledge, technical expertise and project execution capabilities as important factors in supporting the successful implementation of the technology.
The collaboration also reflects the strengthening of bilateral clean energy cooperation between India and Norway, particularly in renewable energy technology transfer, innovation and sustainable infrastructure development.
Floating solar technology is gaining attention as India seeks to expand renewable energy generation while addressing land availability constraints. Installing solar systems on suitable reservoirs and other water bodies could also help reduce water evaporation and potentially improve photovoltaic efficiency through natural cooling.
The agreement was formalised during the 2nd India–EFTA Prosperity Summit, which brought together stakeholders from India and European Free Trade Association countries to explore opportunities for investment, technology partnerships and economic cooperation. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Invest India played key roles in facilitating engagement and promoting international collaboration.
The Mulshi pilot is expected to provide Tata Power and Ocean Sun with practical operating data to determine whether membrane-based floating solar systems can offer a technically reliable and commercially competitive alternative to conventional floating solar installations in India.
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