Kerala constitutes high-level committee for setting up floating solar projects.

Kerala government recently constituted a high-level committee for exploring the possibility of installing floating solar plants in brackish or saline water bodies and reservoirs which are not suitable for agricultural and fishing purposes.

It will draft guidelines and prepare an action plan for implementation of floating solar projects soon and will forward it to the State Cabinet for discussion approval.

The Committee has been constituted under the Chief Secretary of Kerala and comprises secretaries of departments of power, fisheries, revenue, finance, local self government, irrigation, and forests as its members.

Larger water bodies of Kerala Water Authority and Irrigation Department, where the possibility of fish production is low will be considered for floating solar plants. This will also include land bodies which are having higher salinity especially in areas which are not suitable for Pokkali cultivation – a saline tolerant rice variety cultivated in the water-logged coastal regions of the state.

ET