From Panels To Powerhouses: The Twin Technologies Reinventing Solar Energy
By Anirudh Agrawal
Solar power is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition. In India alone, installed solar capacity has crossed the 70 GW mark, with an ambitious target of 280 GW by 2030. But as solar goes mainstream, it’s increasingly clear that panels alone are not enough. For solar to deliver on its full potential, powering grids 24/7, reaching remote areas, and complementing India’s green hydrogen ambitions, it needs powerful allies. Two of the most promising? Battery storage and floating solar technology.
Together, they’re transforming solar energy from an intermittent power source into a resilient, reliable, and scalable solution.
The Solar Intermittency Problem
Despite its growing adoption, solar power has one core limitation: it only works when the sun shines. This intermittency creates major challenges for grid operators, particularly during early mornings, evenings, or cloudy days. Without a reliable backup, excess solar power during peak hours is wasted, while fossil fuels are used to fill gaps during low generation periods.
Addressing this challenge is no longer optional; it’s essential. And this is where advanced battery storage systems and floating solar panels step in.
Battery Storage: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) store excess solar energy during the day and release it when needed. They not only help smooth out fluctuations but also enable solar to power critical loads after sunset.
India has begun to embrace large-scale storage projects. The Ministry of Power has called for 47 GW/236 GWh of battery storage by 2031–32. Meanwhile, companies like Ahaan Solar are integrating solar-plus-storage solutions into upcoming solar parks, ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply even during variable weather conditions.
Some key benefits of solar+storage include:
- Grid stability: By absorbing energy spikes and releasing it during peak hours, batteries reduce strain on the grid.
- Backup power: In off-grid and remote areas, BESS provides consistent energy access.
- Better economics: With Time-of-Day (ToD) tariffs, stored solar energy can be sold at higher prices during peak hours, improving project ROI.
In short, battery storage is turning solar into a round-the-clock energy source, bridging the gap between generation and real-time demand.
Floating Solar: The New Frontier of Deployment
While battery storage addresses reliability, floating solar addresses space and performance, two critical concerns in land-constrained or densely populated areas.
Floating solar projects involve installing solar panels on man-made reservoirs, lakes, or water bodies. This innovative approach not only saves land but also improves panel efficiency. The natural cooling effect of water can increase panel performance by 5–15% and reduce water evaporation from the surface by up to 70%.
India’s potential for floating solar is enormous, estimated at 18 GW across its reservoirs. Projects like the 100 MW floating solar plant at NTPC Ramagundam and other ventures by SECI and state discoms are showcasing how floating solar can unlock underutilised assets.
Advantages of floating solar include:
- Land savings: Ideal for urban or industrial areas with limited available land.
- Increased efficiency: Cooler operating conditions boost power output.
- Synergies with hydropower: Co-location with hydro plants offers existing grid access and infrastructure.
The Hybrid Potential - The Rise of Solar-Battery-Floating Combinations
Imagine a solar park that combines ground-mounted and floating solar arrays with an integrated battery storage system. It’s no longer science fiction; it’s a model being tested in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
By leveraging multiple technologies, developers can:
- Maximise energy density per square metre.
- Extend power supply beyond daylight hours.
- Balance generation across seasons and weather patterns.
Such hybrid setups also align with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which relies heavily on reliable solar power to produce cost-effective green hydrogen via electrolysis.
Challenges on the Horizon
Of course, these technologies aren’t without hurdles. Battery storage remains expensive, though costs have dropped over 80% in the past decade. Policy clarity on storage incentives and grid integration is still evolving. For floating solar, logistical complexities like anchoring, water body ownership, and maintenance need careful management.
However, with the right mix of government incentives, R&D support, and public-private collaboration, these obstacles are being steadily overcome.
Lastly, as the clean energy transition accelerates, it’s clear that solar PV is just the starting point. The future belongs to intelligent energy ecosystems, where solar panels are paired with smart batteries, lakes become energy farms, and the clock no longer binds sunlight.
In this evolving landscape, companies are leading the way, not just by making modules but by building ecosystems. By combining solar with emerging innovations like energy storage and floating infrastructure, India isn’t just generating green power, it’s powering a green revolution.
(The author is the Chief Strategy Officer of Airox Nigen Equipments Pvt Ltd)
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