Ciel & Terre completes India’s first floating solar plant

10.765 MWp Tata Steel, Jamshedpur project showcases innovative floating solar technology, addressing industrial energy needs sustainably.

India is making significant strides in harnessing renewable energy to meet its growing power demands and combat environmental challenges. Among the innovative solutions emerging in this journey, floating solar projects stand out as a game-changer. Ciel & Terre India, a renowned French floating solar leader Ciel & Terre International subsidiary, has recently achieved a historic milestone by completing a 10.765MWp floating solar plant for Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. This project is not only India’s inaugural floating solar installation within a steel power plant but also a testament to the industry’s resilience in the face of challenges.

The project utilised 19,936 units of ‘Made in India’ Hydrelio® aiR 1440 floats, carefully installed on an industrial water body. Jinergy PV panels were installed in a 4-row configuration with a pure south tilt to maximise energy production. The plant comprises two segments, each with an array island capacity of 5.44 MWp, resulting in a cumulative capacity of 10.765 MWp. The Hydrelio® aiR 1440 floats were designed to withstand maximum wind speeds as per IS 875 Part III, a crucial factor given the project.

The Tata Steel Jamshedpur project presented unique challenges from the start. It is an industrial water body in which the floating solar plant was to be installed, and the sub-bottom soil is a sludge accumulation, creating difficult conditions for conventional anchoring methods. The expert team at Ciel & Terre India overcame this obstacle with innovative deadweight anchoring. Enormous concrete blocks were prepared and deployed in the water to stabilise the floats, ensuring they remained stationary despite strong winds and waves. Material selection for such industrial areas with contaminated water is key to sustaining the system for the next 25 years.

The project covered a total area of 42 acres, with over 19 acres dedicated to float placement. This remarkable feat equated to nearly 45 percent of water body coverage, demonstrating the project’s commitment to efficient space utilisation. The Tata Steel Jamshedpur project underscores the potential of floating solar technology to address the energy needs of industrial facilities, particularly in raw water bodies. Beyond meeting Tata Steel’s energy requirements, the project showcases sustainable energy generation’s environmental and social benefits.

Ciel & Terre India’s dedication to the renewable energy sector extends beyond this project. With 260MWp projects already under the portfolio, the company’s impact on India’s energy landscape is undeniable. Their footprint stretches across multiple states, including Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

Ciel & Terre India MD and CEO Deepak Ushadevi said, “Implementing a captive project such as this will provide the industry with competitive prices compared to the grid. The same model can be replicated for other industrial reservoirs such as thermal, fertilisers, cement, chemicals, etc. Ciel & Terre® has gained extensive expertise and strong experience installing large-scale floating PV plants on artificial and freshwater reservoirs. Our team is proficient in comprehending the challenges of floating PV, and the realisation of this floating plant marks a significant milestone in India’s quest for renewable energy with a sustainable and effective energy solution. This project highlights the potential transformation of floating solar energy in India’s energy landscape. Ciel & Terre India’s growing portfolio offers the possibility of a brighter and cleaner tomorrow.”