Bihar Set To Expand Its Network Of Floating Solar Plants

Bihar Set To Expand Its Network Of Floating Solar Plants

Bihar, one of the renewable deficit regions in India is now working on alternative plans to boost its renewable energy mix. The state has now pinned hopes on the potential of its water bodies to generate electricity. The eastern Indian state which already has worked to develop floating solar plants in Darbhanga and Supaul high hopes from its new proposed floating solar plant at Durgawati dam in the Kaimur/Rohtas districts.

As per the latest statistics from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Bihar has a total non-fossil fuel capacity of 450 MW. This comprises 239 MW of power coming from solar, 70 MW from small hydro plants, 112 MW from biomass/cogeneration (bagasse) and 26 MW from biomass. cogeneration (non-bagasseO, 1.32 MW from waste to energy while 140 MW comes from biopower.

When it comes to solar energy, the majority of the solar energy in the state comes from ground-mounted solar power (146 MW). It is followed by rooftop solar (72 MW) and last is the off-grid solar which comprises 21 MW capacities. Officials from the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) told Saur Energy that the dearth of land in the state due to large fertile agricultural land had been a hurdle for the growth of solar parks and large utility-scale projects.

The Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd (BSPGCL) had earlier floated a tender for procurement of power through tariff-based competitive bidding for its proposed floating solar project at Dugrawati dam. The Bihar government undertaking has planned to develop 10 MW floating solar plant at the site. The state government has planned to develop this solar project under the RESCO Model. BSPGCL is the nominated nodal agency/implementing agency for the installation of floating solar power plants above 1 MW capacity on all types of water bodies.

Capacities of different types of non-fossil fuel energy in Bihar. Source: MNRE

The Bihar government entity has planned to build the project on a Build Own Operate and Maintain (BOOM) basis. As per the proposed plan, the state discoms (NBPDCL and SBPDCL) would enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPAO) with the successful bidders. The PPA will be signed for 25 years.

The public company also said that the developers would use mono-PERC solar modules. It also said that only ALMM-enlisted solar modules would be used in the project.

“The project capacity is to be 10 MW (AC). The selection of Solar PV modules technology would be technology agnostic to suit the floating solar project where humidity levels are high and moisture ingress is more. The modules with suitable quality back sheets, glass-to-glass packed modules or any modules with suitable technology (anchoring/mooring systems) shall be used. The structures, and modules used shall have proven design and demonstrated performance. Mono PERC module manufactured by latest ALMM of MNRE with or without trackers may be installed. Only commercially established and operational technologies can be used to minimize the technological risk and to achieve timely commissioning of the project,” the tender read.

BSGPCL said that the bidders can physically submit the technical bids by April 25 They can also submit their online bids by April 25.