A 120 MWp floating solar photovoltaic power project, developed by Ciel & Terre Solar Private Limited in collaboration with L&T and SJVN Green Energy Limited, has been commissioned at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. The floating solar project will supply power to the Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited.
Situated on the freshwater reservoir of Omkareshwar dam, the project spans 210 acres, about 20 per cent of the total 1,060-acre water surface. It comprises 14 floating islands of 8.5 MWp capacity each, and uses 407,699 Hydrelio floats configured with the aiR OPTIM 1400-3 model in a three-row setup. Additionally, the project is designed to enhance energy efficiency by leveraging the cooling effects of water, and is expected to offset over 113,406 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Several technological innovations were deployed in the project. This includes the introduction of a new anchoring system called ‘rock bolt anchoring’, specifically designed to address the hard rock conditions at the site. Developed by Ciel & Terre’s international research & development team, the technique underwent multiple years of rigorous testing before implementation. Furthermore, the project also features a floating inverter barge made from reinforced fiberglass polymer, suitable for deployment in rivers and lakes. With the capacity to carry over 40 tonnes, the barge has a 50 per cent higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel and is 30 per cent lighter, contributing to reduced structural costs. The project also incorporates a spin welding-based leakproof technology for floats to mitigate water ingress and structural cracks caused by thermal expansion during high temperatures.
