A prototype of India’s first floating solar power station could soon be coming up in the pond of Victoria Memorial.

If the plan proves to be a success, such floating solar power stations could also be set up in the water reservoirs and dams of hydroelectric power stations thereby increasing their output.

“Developing a floating solar power station would prove to be a revolutionary step as it could solve the perennial problem of land. Such pilot projects are also going on in a few countries such as France and Australia,” said SP Gon Choudhury, an international expert in solar energy and the brain behind this project.

The idea is simple.

A raft like platform fitted with hollow plastic or tin drums would be floating on water.

The power generating equipment such as solar panels would be fitted on this raft so that they can float on water.

It would not only solve the problem of land but would also help conserve water in the water bodies.

The solar panels, which would be floating on water, would cut off the direct sunlight and hence slow down the rate of evaporation.

“Studies have also shown that if the rear surface of solar panels are kept cooler, then their ability to generate power goes up by 16%. As these solar panels would be floating on water, they are expected to stay cool and hence we can generate more power than those set up on land,” Choudhury said.