Ciel & Terre Commissions One of India’s Largest Floating Solar Projects

Ciel & Terre Commissions One of India's Largest Floating Solar Projects

Ciel & Terre has successfully commissioned India’s largest floating solar project, a 120 MWp floating solar plant at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. This project, which was inaugurated in August 2024, was developed in partnership with L&T and SJVN Green Energy Limited. The energy generated will be supplied to Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL).

Located on the freshwater reservoir of Omkareshwar Dam, the floating solar plant spans 210 acres—accounting for 20% of the total 1,060-acre water area. The project highlights the potential of floating solar technology to help India achieve its renewable energy targets while conserving land resources. By leveraging the natural cooling effect of water bodies, the plant is expected to deliver increased energy efficiency and output, mitigating over 113,406 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

The plant consists of 407,699 Hydrelio floats, arranged in a three-row setup using the aiR OPTIM 1400-3 model. It is divided into 14 individual islands, each with a capacity of 8.5 MWp. Several groundbreaking innovations were unveiled during the project:

A novel anchoring technique, ‘Rock Bolt Anchoring,’ was introduced to address the hard rock surface, developed and tested over several years by Ciel & Terre’s R&D team.

The world’s first customized floating inverter barge, made from reinforced fiberglass polymer, was deployed. This unique design ensures durability in challenging site conditions and can carry over 40 tons—ideal for power transformers, inverters, and switchgear.

The barge’s lightweight composition offers a 50% higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel and is 30% lighter, reducing costs.

The floating system features a robust, leak-proof technology developed using a spin-welding method, preventing water ingress and cracks due to temperature-induced float expansion.

Deepak Ushadevi, Managing Director & CEO of Ciel Et Terre India, commented: “Embarking on this project was a challenge, but with the right technology, team, and mindset, success was inevitable. The dedication and collaboration demonstrated throughout this journey are a testament to our team’s capabilities.”

He continued, “This project faced numerous challenges, including torrential rain, floods, moderate to gusty winds, and harsh weathered rock surfaces. We continuously adapted and found solutions, which not only strengthened our team but also enhanced our ability to execute complex projects with greater efficiency and innovation.”

Ciel & Terre, a global leader in floating solar technology, has commissioned over 10 projects in India, with a cumulative capacity of 425 MWp. Worldwide, the company has installed or is in the process of installing over 3.2 GWp across 325+ projects in more than 30 countries. Ciel & Terre’s vision is to make floating solar an integral energy source globally.