Online Training Program for Power Sector Professionals on Floating Solar PV Project and Data Communications Infrastructure

Government of India has set an ambitious program for increase of renewable generation and has set a target of 175 GW by the year 2022 and further target of 450 GW by end of 2030. The primary focus of the Government of India is on the promotion and scaling up electricity generation from renewable energy. 

Photovoltaic solar plant will be the one of the options for achieving this target through harnessing of solar energy. But installation of solar plant requires huge land and in India land is required for multiple purposes especially food growth to meet the burgeoning population. As land is the one of the concerns for installing the solar power plant, therefore alternate way to search such plant has been explored. Solar plant on water is one of the solutions.   

Because of the Covid 19 pandemic and restrictions on travel, the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) and IGEF jointly organized a virtual visit to Banasurasagar Floating Solar Power Plant, Kerala and Online Training Program on Floating Solar PV Project and Data Communications Infrastructure on 27th-28th November 2020. 

The program was attended by 112 participants from 40 organizations in India including various State utilities, PSU’s, SECI, NHPC, NTPC, SJVNLS, BBMB, PFC, REC, TATA POWER, GEDA, MEDA, BARC, DVC, KSEB  etc.  

The topics of the training included technical and economic feasibility, global best practices, regulatory and other challenges and risks and assess the role of Floating Solar PV Project in the overall RE growth in the country.

The program started on 27th November at 14.30 hrs. Introductory address about Online Training  Program  was given  by Shri  Anil Kumar Bellary , Co- Director, IGEF-Support Office in which he briefed the delegates regarding the aims and objectives of the Online Training Program and  virtual visit to a Banasurasagar Floating Solar Power plant. Shri  A. K. Bhatnagar, Director, CBIP welcomed all the dignitaries and expressed his gratitude on behalf of CBIP to Director (PS), SECI for accepting the invitation to be the chief guest.

Key Note Address was delivered by Chief Guest Shri S.K. Mishra Director (PS), SECI. Shri Mishra complimented both CBIP and IGEF for the excellent initiative for organizing online training program with a virtual visit to a Floating Solar Power plant. Shri Mishra spoke of the plans of SECI to promote FSPV in a big way and gave some details on the pipeline of projects in A&N Islands, FSPV on lagoons in Lakshadweep Islands etc on Floating Solar Power plant present and future aspects. He also shared some experiences in the regulatory process for tariff fixation and the need to include land and water savings in the project documentation.

The participants expressed their satisfaction on the comprehensive lectures and the Virtual visit covering technical aspects of the 500 kWp Floating Solar Power Plant and civil infrastructures, Grid integration, storage etc.  NTPC GM Mr S S Mishra emphasised on the Make in India for floats since importing will be prohibitive. Also he spoke on the need for a third party agency with experience in the sector who could certify and validate the FSPV projects.

A lively interaction of the speakers and the participants through chat and verbal discussions made all the sessions interesting. The event was a success as the feedback from the participants was very positive. Delegates were also happy with the organization of the virtual study tour and the knowledge and experience shared by the domain experts. Both CBIP and IGEF are committed to continue the professional training series covering other topics.

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