Quant Photo voltaic Applied sciences, a clean-tech startup incubated on the Indian Institute of Know-how, Guwahati’s (IIT-G)’s cutting-edge Know-how Incubation Centre (TIC), has seemingly discovered a extra sustainable method of harnessing the ability of photo voltaic power—floating photo voltaic know-how. 

Put in on water our bodies corresponding to dams and reservoirs, this piece of know-how can prohibit evaporation loss as much as 70%—a characteristic notably vital in water-scarce areas. These floating photo voltaic crops are gaining prominence because the third pillar of photo voltaic installations, complementing the well-established domains of rooftop photo voltaic and ground-mounted photo voltaic crops.

Talking to The Higher India, Pankaj Kumar, co-founder and director, says, “Quant Photo voltaic Applied sciences was established in 2016. The inspiration behind founding this startup was pushed by the necessity to contribute to India’s financial improvement and deal with environmental issues related to conventional power manufacturing. The motivation was to pioneer progressive and sustainable engineering options within the area of renewable power.”

“Our progressive startup isn’t nearly clear power but in addition about conserving water by containing evaporation; saving treasured land for higher utility, bettering energy technology because of the cooling results of water and plenty of extra. This can be a monumental leap in the direction of environmental sustainability. With hundreds of reservoirs and massive water our bodies in India, the potential is gigantic and the chance to make an impression is unimaginable,” he provides. 

Perks of floating photo voltaic crops

Siddhant Agarwal, co-founder and director, claims, “The choice to deal with floating photo voltaic crops was motivated by their distinctive benefits. They save land, preserve water, and supply elevated power technology of energy because of the cooling impact of water beneath the photovoltaic module, amongst different advantages. Not like rooftop or ground-mounted photo voltaic they’re put in on water our bodies, decreasing evaporation loss by as much as 70%. This know-how effectively contributes to nationwide photo voltaic targets whereas leaving zero footprint on the finish of the mission lifecycle.”

Siddhant goes on so as to add, “In steering via the panorama of fresh power, Quant Photo voltaic has additionally launched a variety of merchandise embodying our dedication to innovation throughout the floating photo voltaic sector. We firmly imagine that these developments won’t solely fulfil the rising power wants however will even make substantial contributions to environmental conservation.”

As regards to environmental conservation, Pankaj elaborates, “Floating photo voltaic crops play an important position in water conservation by appearing as a protecting cowl over the water floor.” 

“This distinctive design serves as a defend, decreasing the direct publicity of daylight to the water under. The importance of this lies in its capacity to restrict the absorption of warmth by the water, successfully curbing the speed of evaporation,” he explains.  

In less complicated phrases, when daylight immediately hits the water, it causes the water to soak up warmth, resulting in a rise in temperature and accelerated evaporation. Floating photo voltaic crops intervene on this pure course of by offering a barrier that forestalls extreme heating, and subsequently decreasing evaporation. The significance of this characteristic turns into evident in its multifaceted advantages, in line with Siddhant. 

“Firstly, by mitigating evaporation, these floating photo voltaic crops contribute considerably to the conservation of water our bodies. That is notably very important in areas going through water shortage or the place water is sourced for varied important functions,” he explains.  

“Additionally, the decreased evaporation facilitated by these crops helps keep secure water ranges in reservoirs, guaranteeing a constant and dependable provide of water for numerous wants. Moreover, the flexibility to preserve water aligns with rules of sustainable useful resource administration, guaranteeing that water sources are utilised judiciously and sustainably. Past instant advantages, the conservation of water our bodies positively impacts the setting by preserving aquatic ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and sustaining ecological stability,” he provides. 

In essence, the progressive design of floating photo voltaic crops not solely harnesses clear power but in addition actively addresses environmental issues by selling accountable water utilization. 

“This dual-purpose strategy contributes to the sustainable administration of water sources, making these photo voltaic crops a helpful asset within the journey in the direction of a extra environmentally aware and resource-efficient future,” claims Pankaj.

Talking to Mercom India in Might 2023, Deepak Ushadevi, MD and CEO of Ciel & Terre India, stated, “We don’t face any points with water our bodies in India. In line with knowledge, we have now 5,534 dams and reservoirs accessible. Even when we use solely 40% to 50% of them, we will generate over 200 GW of energy from these initiatives. As well as, we have now backwaters and each guide and non-manual reservoirs, offering us with loads of choices. We will optimise capability utilisation by contemplating dams and reservoirs for floating photo voltaic and pure hydropower.”

Within the interview with Mercom India, Deepak went on to say, “ it from a cross-functional perspective, ground-mounted photo voltaic buildings require the usage of purlins and rafters, together with piling work. Alternatively, we have to use anchoring, mooring and listening to anchors for floating photo voltaic initiatives to resist excessive winds, depths, waves, currents, water degree variations, droughts, floods and extra. It’s the costliest a part of the mission. Nonetheless, we additionally get additional technology capability over 25 years, which offsets the extra price.”

However what’s the common price of energy for floating photo voltaic initiatives? 

“The typical energy price is round INR 3.15 (~$0.038)/kWh- INR 3.3 (~$0.040)/kWh, which is the PPA (energy buy settlement) signing-off price. Nonetheless, some variations could also be based mostly on the supply of modules, BCD (primary customs responsibility), ALMM, (authorized record of fashions and producers), and different components that have an effect on transactions and trigger minor delays. The fee distinction between ground-mounted and floating buildings is just 7-10%, with the latter being barely costlier resulting from its know-how. Nonetheless, over time, the associated fee distinction shall be offset by financial savings in operation and upkeep prices,” stated Deepak.   

Rising presence

Since its inception, Quant Photo voltaic has labored with a number of public sector enterprises, state authorities our bodies and personal firms. It has additionally delivered India’s first megawatt scale floating photo voltaic plant of two MW capability put in in Mudasarlova reservoir situated in Visakhapatnam in 2018 and one of many world’s largest Floating Photo voltaic Plant of 36 MW for NTPC.

To date, Quant Photo voltaic Applied sciences has commissioned shut to fifteen particular person floating photo voltaic initiatives throughout states together with Andhra Pradesh, which has the very best quantity, West Bengal, Karnataka, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and union territories like Chandigarh.

The potential is huge. In line with a report by a New Delhi-based assume tank The Vitality and Assets Institute (TERI), India’s reservoirs cowl 18,000 sq. kilometres with the potential to help 280 GW of floating photo voltaic crops. 

Having stated that, putting in these floating photo voltaic crops comes with its challenges. These embrace engineering for particular environmental circumstances, guaranteeing stability on water and addressing points associated to aquatic ecosystems. Upkeep includes common checks for the impression of climate circumstances, water high quality and the general structural integrity of the floating platforms.

As regards to aquatic ecosystems, critics imagine that these photo voltaic crops may doubtlessly show problematic in the long term. Talking to Mongabay India, TV Ramachandra, coordinator of the Vitality and Wetlands Group on the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), stated, “For an ecosystem to perform, its construction must be left intact. Spatial extent of the photo voltaic panels can alter the quantity of daylight getting into the system.”

“This will intrude with varied ranges of [the] meals chain and biogeochemical cycles (water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle) of the aquatic ecosystem. Floatovoltaics is an ad-hoc answer, which can show to be unsustainable in the long term,” he added. 

Funding and help

For essentially the most half, Quant Photo voltaic claims to deal with in-house design, engineering, and analysis and improvement capabilities for key parts just like the floating platform, photo voltaic panels, anchoring programs and {the electrical} system. “Whereas the corporate develops many parts regionally, some specialised parts could also be sourced globally based mostly on particular mission necessities,” notes Pankaj whereas chatting with The Higher India.

The beginning-up has additionally strategically aligned itself with international leaders by becoming a member of a consortium led by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), “a globally main high quality assurance and danger administration firm”, within the Netherlands. In line with Siddhant, this strategic collaboration cements Quant Photo voltaic as a key participant in shaping international requirements for floating photo voltaic crops.

“Relating to funding particulars, we remorse that particular data can’t be supplied immediately presently. Nonetheless, the traders in Quant Photo voltaic Applied sciences embrace IIT-Guwahati and Union Financial institution of India. The consortium led by DNV within the Netherlands has performed a pivotal position in our development as a enterprise. This strategic collaboration has allowed us to align ourselves with international leaders within the clear power sector. Being a part of this consortium has not solely expanded our community however has additionally facilitated entry to cutting-edge applied sciences and trade experience,” he says.

“It positions Quant Photo voltaic as a key participant in shaping international requirements for Floating Photo voltaic Crops, showcasing our technical prowess and making impactful contributions to the trade,” he provides.

In the meantime, talking about Quant Photo voltaic Applied sciences, Professor Senthilmurugan Subbiah, chairperson of the IIT Guwahati – Know-how Incubation Centre (IITG-TIC) stated, “Quant Photo voltaic isn’t simply an rising start-up. It’s making vital contributions to environmental sustainability.”

(Edited by Padmashree Pande; Photographs courtesy Quant Photo voltaic Applied sciences)