Bengaluru: BBMP plans floating solar panels on city lakes to boost green energy

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to pilot a green energy initiative by installing floating solar panels on Yelahanka and Rachenahalli Lakes. The move aims to harness solar power while simultaneously addressing water quality concerns.

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As part of the plan, Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) panels with a 3-megawatt (MW) capacity will be deployed over 0.05 square kilometres of Yelahanka Lake. Meanwhile, Rachenahalli Lake will host 2 MW capacity panels on 0.03 square kilometres of its surface. Both lakes are key waterbodies in north Bengaluru, and the installations will occupy less than 10% of their respective surface areas.

The project has secured initial clearance from the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA), with further approvals from energy regulatory bodies in progress. Ahead of implementation, BBMP will conduct environmental and social impact assessments to identify risks and mitigation strategies.

The panels will use corrosion-resistant materials and be designed to endure harsh weather. Experts suggest that limiting sunlight through FPV panels may help curb algal blooms, a common issue in nutrient-rich urban lakes.

A GIS-based feasibility study by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) identified 19 city lakes suitable for similar projects, with the potential to generate over 20 MW of solar power.