Tata Power partnered with Norway-based Ocean Sun to test membrane-based floating solar technology in India. The collaboration agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2nd India-EFTA Prosperity Summit. The companies will undertake a roughly 300 kWp pilot at Tata Power’s Mulshi reservoir in Maharashtra to evaluate performance, reliability, cost competitiveness, installation methodology and time, operations and maintenance requirements, and overall commercial viability against conventional floating solar systems.
Ocean Sun’s technology deploys solar PV modules on a thin hydro-elastic membrane that floats directly on the water surface. The National Institute of Solar Energy estimates India has more than 102 GWp of floating solar potential. Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power, said the pilot aims to generate valuable operating insights and assess the technology’s potential to deliver reliable and cost-effective clean power. Kristian Tørvold, CEO of Ocean Sun, said India is an attractive but complex market where local execution capabilities are essential.
Market Research Outlook: Floating solar remains a small segment despite large theoretical potential on reservoirs. The 300 kWp installation is a technology validation exercise rather than a commercial project. Membrane-based systems would need to demonstrate clear advantages in energy yield, durability under Indian monsoon and water conditions, and total installed cost versus established pontoon designs before wider adoption. Project development will continue to be shaped by state-level permissions for water bodies and relative economics against ground-mounted solar.
