MNRE Consults Stakeholders on Floating Solar Potential and Policy

24 Feb 2026 CW Team

Considering prevailing land constraints for renewable energy projects, floating solar photovoltaic has emerged as an alternative avenue. However, only around 700 megawatt (MW) of floating solar projects has been commissioned in India so far, reflecting gaps in site data and an absence of a clear execution framework. The draft assessment and policy aim to address these bottlenecks by mapping potential water bodies and proposing administrative procedures.

MNRE asked that all States and union territories hold internal consultations with stakeholders at state level, including departments of Water Resources and Irrigation, Revenue, Fisheries, Forest, Agriculture, distribution and transmission utilities, public works, tourism and pollution control, and provide consolidated comments on the draft documents. The ministry highlighted the need for coordinated decision making across sectors to expedite site identification and approvals. States and UTs were encouraged to identify and prioritise water bodies suitable for floating solar deployment based on the assessment.

Discussion at the workshop considered innovative arrangements such as plug and pay models and the allotment of water bodies with requisite approvals to reduce risks for developers and investors. MNRE indicated it will undertake further consultations with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Wetland Authority and the National Dam Safety Authority to refine the policy based on state feedback. The meeting was attended by senior ministry officials, renewable energy state nodal agencies and representatives from States and UTs as well as the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), NISE and IIT Roorkee.

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organised a stakeholder consultation workshop on 20 February 2026 under the chairmanship of J.V.N. Subramanyam, Joint Secretary, MNRE, to review the draft Floating Solar PV Potential Assessment Report and a draft floating solar policy prepared by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee). The workshop brought together officials and agency representatives to discuss methodological and policy considerations for scaling floating solar. Considering prevailing land constraints for renewable energy projects, floating solar photovoltaic has emerged as an alternative avenue. However, only around 700 megawatt (MW) of floating solar projects has been commissioned in India so far, reflecting gaps in site data and an absence of a clear execution framework. The draft assessment and policy aim to address these bottlenecks by mapping potential water bodies and proposing administrative procedures. MNRE asked that all States and union territories hold internal consultations with stakeholders at state level, including departments of Water Resources and Irrigation, Revenue, Fisheries, Forest, Agriculture, distribution and transmission utilities, public works, tourism and pollution control, and provide consolidated comments on the draft documents. The ministry highlighted the need for coordinated decision making across sectors to expedite site identification and approvals. States and UTs were encouraged to identify and prioritise water bodies suitable for floating solar deployment based on the assessment. Discussion at the workshop considered innovative arrangements such as plug and pay models and the allotment of water bodies with requisite approvals to reduce risks for developers and investors. MNRE indicated it will undertake further consultations with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Wetland Authority and the National Dam Safety Authority to refine the policy based on state feedback. The meeting was attended by senior ministry officials, renewable energy state nodal agencies and representatives from States and UTs as well as the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), NISE and IIT Roorkee.

Building Material

01 Mar 2026

NITI Aayog Unveils Cement Decarbonisation Roadmap

NITI Aayog has released a sector-specific decarbonisation roadmap for cement as part of three green transition reports covering cement, aluminium and MSMEs. The report projects cement production rising to around 2,100 million tonnes by 2070 from 391 million tonnes in 2023, while targeting a reduction in carbon intensity to 0.09–0.13 tCO₂e per tonne. It recommends clinker substitution, refuse-derived fuels, CCUS adoption and carbon trading mechanisms to enable deep decarbonisation. ..

Technology

06 Mar 2026

Genesys Launches Advanced GeoRadar System

Genesys International Corporation has launched an advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) solution from IDS GeoRadar for underground utility mapping in India. The system uses patented Equalised Scrambling Technology (EST) and Wide/Multi-Array Antenna Technology to deliver high-resolution three-dimensional imaging of subsurface infrastructure. The technology enables the detection and mapping of buried assets such as water pipelines, sewer networks, telecom cables and power lines. By providing detailed subsurface insights, the system aims to help urban authorities and infrastructure developers ..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Mar 2026

Hindustan Zinc Partners Virginia Tech to Boost Silver Recovery

Hindustan Zinc Limited recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virginia Tech to advance research aimed at improving silver recovery across its lead–zinc (Pb–Zn) concentrators. The collaboration will focus on refining flotation techniques and optimising reagent usage to improve concentrate quality and operational efficiency at processing plants.Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, is globally recognised for its expertise in mining engineering, mineral processing and applied metallurgical research. Through this partnership, Hindustan Zinc will leverage global resear..