EnvironmentWednesday, 17 June 2026·The Hindu - Science
NISE assessment says India’s reservoirs can host 102 GW floating solar capacity
NISE’s first national assessment estimates about 102.18 GW floating solar potential on India’s reservoirs and identifies major state-wise capacity.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On June 10, 2026, the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched its first national assessment, estimating that India’s reservoirs can host about 102.18 GW of floating solar capacity.
Key specifics
- The report is titled Solar PV Potential of India (Floating Solar).
- NISE used six geospatial filters, including water bodies larger than 10 hectares and water present for at least 11 months a year.
- The assessment applied a self-imposed cap of 20% of any reservoir’s surface area.
- State-wise potential includes Maharashtra 16.28 GW, Madhya Pradesh 14.89 GW, Karnataka 13.69 GW, Odisha 12.81 GW and Telangana 10.72 GW.
- India’s largest floating solar park is the 278 MW Omkareshwar project in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, with plans to scale to 600 MW.
Exam lens
TNPSC environment and economy question focus: NISE, 102.18 GW, 20% cap, Omkareshwar 278 MW, state-wise potential; expect map-based and report-based MCQs.