Odisha to develop 2.7 GW floating solar on water bodies

• Odisha plans to develop floating solar projects on its water bodies due to limited land for ground-mounted plants.
• GRIDCO Chief Project Manager Mahesh Das stated that land scarcity, with much land used for agriculture or forest, necessitates this approach.
• Floating solar panels are expected to offer higher efficiency due to the cooling effect of water and reduced cleaning needs.
• Projects are planned for Rengali (1000 MW), Upper Indravati (225 MW), and Hirakud (1.5 GW) reservoirs.
• The initiative aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and promote green energy development in the state.

Why It Matters: Odisha's floating solar plan boosts green energy and efficiency amid land scarcity.