India’s largest floating solar plant completed withstanding huge water level variations

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The main challenge for the project was a water level variation of 21 metres between summer and monsoon seasons. Credit: Adtech Systems

The largest floating solar plant in India, standing at 500kW capacity, has been completed in the state of Kerala.

The project for Kerala State Electricity Board (KESB) was built by Trivandrum-based firm Adtech Systems at the Banasura Sagar reservoir in Wayanad.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

M.R. Narayanan, chairman, Adtech Systems, told PV Tech that the main challenge for the project was a water level variation of 21 metres between summer and monsoon seasons, so the firm had to design special anchoring systems to ride the variations as well as high speed wind conditions.

He said that the project used modules from Telangana-based manufacturer Radiant Solar. It also used 32kW sting inverters made by ABB.

The floats were designed with ferrocement, which involves applying reinforced mortar or plaster over layers of metal to create a hollow structure. Narayanan said ferrocement makes the project very stable.

He added: “Our company has been specialised in making ferrocement platforms and floating structures for the last 20 years. The ferrocement platforms are guaranteed for 50 years life.”

Since the project was completed Adtech has received enquiries for more than 50MW of other floating PV projects, Narayanan added.

Floating solar projects can often generate more power than ground-mount solar systems due to the water body’s cooling effect on the modules. They can also preserve water levels through shading.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is also planning two 10MW floating PV projects in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh with the floating structure and anchoring designed by Arka.

NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), the R&D arm of Utility NTPC, installed a 100kW floating solar plant at Kayamkulam, also in Kerala, in March.

Read Next

October 6, 2025
Indian infrastructure company focused on rooftop and ground-based solar power installations, PVV Infra has secured solar power orders worth INR7.9 billion (US$90 million) through two of its subsidiaries. 
October 6, 2025
Indian solar developer ACME Group has established a new subsidiary to manage its renewable equipment manufacturing business, under which it is planning to scale production of TOPCon PV modules.
October 6, 2025
Rajasthan government will develop 500MW/2,000MWh of standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) with a four-hour single-cycle configuration and extended operational life.
October 2, 2025
The Indian solar industry has 86GW and 182GW of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity, respectively, expected to be commissioned by 2027.
October 2, 2025
The Indian Department of Commerce has launched an antidumping investigation on solar encapsulants originating or exported from South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand.
September 29, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Waaree has said it does not expect to pay additional duties on its solar cell imports to the US, following the start of an antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation by the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland