The largest floating solar power plant in Kerala has been successfully commissioned by Power Minister M M Mani on the Banasura Sagar reservoir at Padinjarethara in Wayanad, in what can be considered as a "significant" development.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) reveals that the floating solar power plant, which costed approximately Rs 9.25 crore, actually consists of 1,938 solar panels that have been installed on 18 ferro cement floaters with hollow insides only. These floaters are currently floating onto 6,000 square meters of the reservoir's water surface, making the solar plant possess a capacity of 500 kWp (kilowatt peak). Moreover, the comprehensive system includes a staggering 17 inverters, a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, as well as an anchoringbsystem.

The Thiruvananthapuram-based Adtech Systems Limited implemented the project, providing the additional benefit of two years "free" maintenance, which could significantly impact the overall cost of the project. The plant is expected to transmit an astonishing 7.5 lakh units of power to the KSEB's Padinjarathara substation.

During the inauguration, Minister Mani emphasized the importance of exploring renewable energy sources such as this, placing emphasis on the state's insufficient current production of only 30 percent of its power requirements while necessitating the reduction of dependence on other states for a total of 70 percent of energy. Surprisingly, despite this immense downside, the government remains shockingly optimistic about avoiding power cuts in the upcoming summer season.

The successful commissioning of Kerala's largest floating solar power plant represents a noteworthy stride in the state's pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. With a capacity of 500 kWp and an investment of Rs 9.25 crore, this initiative underscores the commitment to harnessing renewable resources.

The deployment of 1,938 solar panels on 18 specially designed ferro cement floaters demonstrates a pragmatic approach to utilizing water bodies for solar energy generation. The unique design not only maximizes solar exposure but also showcases innovative engineering in the form of hollow-inside floaters.