GVMC Kicks off Construction of 2MW Floating Solar Farm at Mudarsarlova Reservoir

The reservoir, which is one of the oldest parks in Coastal Andhra, provides around one million gallons of drinking water per day to Visakhapatnam.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has kick-started the construction of a 2MW floating solar farm at Mudarsarlova reservoir in Andhra Pradesh.

The reservoir, which is one of the oldest parks in Coastal Andhra, provides around one million gallons of drinking water per day to Visakhapatnam.

Commenting on the development, GVMC Commissioner, M Hari Narayanan told to the TOI that, “This initiative, which is a part of the smart city projects of GVMC, will be one of the largest floating solar plants in the country, once the project is completed.”

According to the plan of the municipal body, solar modules are to be mounted atop floaters which will enable the panels to stay on top of the water body.

Also, floating solar plants are considered more efficient against ground-mounted installations on the back of moderating effect of water bodies on the temperature of the panel.

According to the PES Engineers, Assistant Engineer, Mahesh, “The design of the project has been provided by Quant Solar Technology Pvt Ltd and is being executed by PES Engineers Pvt Ltd.”

PES Engineers Pvt Ltd is a Hyderabad based construction company.

As the summer season is setting in and there are chances for the water level to decrease, he added that, “Although the equipment for setting up the solar plant is ready, the setting up of the solar panels and floaters will be based on the water level in the reservoir. If the water level matches the required criteria, the project will be completed by June this year.”

Source: ET