National Solar Mission: Jharkhand approves floating solar in Ranchi

The Jharkhand government has approved the Energy Department's proposal to set up a 100 MW capacity floating solar plant in the Getalsud reservoir of Ranchi in the first phase.

The floating solar plant is being set up in the Getalsud reservoir in the light of the feasibility report, jointly prepared by the Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), to produce electrical energy by installing floating solar plant on reservoirs to meet the growing power energy requirement with environmental management.

With the installation of floating solar plants on the reservoirs, electricity availability will be ensured and will also help in water conservation. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched the National Solar Mission 2010 keeping in mind sustainable and inclusive development as well as environmental management, to promote the use of renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources.

Under this, the central government has set a target of developing 175 GW (one thousand MW) renewable energy capacities by the year 2022, which aims to produce 100 GW of solar power. Several schemes are being implemented, including solar parks, ultra mega solar power projects, grid connected solar power projects, and floating solar plants.

Image: Getalsud dam and reservoir

Also read: Solar installations in India reach 40 GW milestone