We completed a 73.4 MWp project in a record time of 70 days

In this interaction, Ceil &Terre talks about the latest innovation and trends in floating solar, highlighting the challenges and elaborating on their state of the art. 
How are current energy trends influencing the floating solar market? 
Renewable energy is anticipated to quickly overtake conventional energy sources due to the current trend. India is one of the most populous nations and has a constant demand for energy and land space. Therefore the floating solar industry is bound to flourish there. Other advantages of floating solar power include that it is land-neutral, conserves water from evaporation, provides better energy due to lower temperature coefficients, can co-exist, and is simpler to maintain. To meet the needs of the nation, the government is therefore eager to create large-scale floating solar farms.
What measures are you taking as a floating solar company to add efficiency in delivering a reliable power supply? 
According to estimates, floating solar can provide up to 8perecnt more electricity than traditional energy sources. This is because the water in the area helps keep the panel temperatures stable and significantly impacts the production of electricity. Our goal is to offer a system that will be viable for 25 years. We have conducted numerous tests, including wind tunnel testing, tensile strength testing, and bending fatigue accurate scale testing, and they are also BS 6920:2000 certified, making them suitable for sensitive waters. These tests were conducted to ensure this. This one needs skilled engineers and technicians instead of ground- or rooftop solar installations. Any errors made during installation may lead to disaster. Hence it is imperative to integrate the knowledge of floating array load/distribution and buoyancy.

Appropriate tools, understanding the use of different make materials for each specific site, etc., is essential during installation. We are aware of the quality issues of other players, and the onus is on us now to develop quality projects in India and to ensure the asset is protected for 25 years. Another aspect is the O&M part. The cost is cheaper than a ground-mounted system, as there is less soiling due to the water around and plenty of water availability for cleaning. Conventional brush cleaning would reduce O&M expenses.
What state-of-the-art structures do you provide for this industry?
We at Ciel & Terre provide the Hydrelio® floating solar technology with eight registered patents. It is eco-friendly and compatible with varied waterbodies. It can accommodate modules of up to 650 Wp, is UV stabilised, resistant to harsh conditions and is drinking water compliant. The motive is to produce green energy without disturbing the existing ecosystem. Unlike ground/rooftop solar systems, FSPV does not require the removal of trees. We have Implemented Design thinking – a human-centred approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success with Empathise / Define/ Ideate / Prototype/ test method.
For more details visit: https://ciel-et-terre.net/