NTPC To Set Up India’s First 320 kW Ceramic Thermal Storage-Based Solar Project In Rajasthan

A new development in solar energy technology is set to take shape at Rajasthan’s Bhadla Solar Park, where NTPC is planning to establish the country’s first ceramic thermal energy storage-based concentrated solar power (CSP) pilot project. The 320 kW project has received approval from Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) and aims to demonstrate the possibility of generating electricity from solar energy even after sunset.

The project will be developed through collaboration between NTPC and RRECL. It will test an innovative thermal energy storage technology designed to store solar energy captured during daylight hours and use it to generate electricity at night. The electricity produced through the pilot project will be used entirely for internal and auxiliary consumption at NTPC’s plant.

Unlike conventional solar power systems that depend on sunlight for generation and often require battery storage to supply electricity after sunset, the proposed technology will store energy in the form of heat. During the day, solar energy will be captured and transferred to specially designed high-temperature ceramic modules. This stored thermal energy will then be used after sunset to operate an air turbine and generate electricity.

The technology is expected to reduce dependence on conventional chemical battery systems, which can involve significant investment and storage-related costs. The ceramic thermal energy storage technology has been developed by US-based company 247Solar. NTPC is working with RRECL to explore its application and assess its performance under Indian operating conditions.

Following RRECL’s approval, the project can proceed with preliminary feasibility assessments, site surveys and structural testing at Bhadla. These activities will help evaluate the technical requirements and suitability of the proposed technology before further implementation.

The pilot project comes at a time when India is expanding its renewable energy capacity and exploring solutions to address the intermittent nature of solar power. Solar generation generally declines after sunset, creating a need for energy storage and other flexible power solutions to maintain a reliable electricity supply.

If the 320 kW demonstration proves successful, ceramic-based thermal storage could offer another option for improving the dispatchability of solar power. The technology may also provide opportunities for wider deployment at utility-scale solar projects in the future.

The initiative is expected to strengthen Rajasthan’s position in renewable energy innovation while supporting India’s broader clean energy transition, energy security and net-zero ambitions.