Kseb Dam Top Solar Power Padinjarathara

Kseb Dam Top Solar Power Padinjarathara is a landmark floating solar power installation operated by the Kerala State Electricity Board, located at the Banasura Sagar Dam reservoir in Padinjarathara, Wayanad. This facility holds the distinction of being India's first operating floating solar power plant, making it a pioneering project in the state's renewable energy journey and a proud addition to Wayanad's growing clean energy infrastructure.

The plant is built directly on the water surface of the reservoir formed by Banasura Sagar Dam, the largest earth dam in India and the second largest dam in Asia. Utilising the vast open water body, the installation was designed with 1938 solar panels spread across 54,450 square feet, with each panel capable of producing 260 Watts, allowing the plant to generate clean power efficiently while minimising land usage in the ecologically sensitive hill district.

Floating solar technology offers distinct advantages over conventional land-based systems. According to KSEB officials, floating solar power stations typically have a larger power generation capacity compared to land-based plants, since water cooling improves panel efficiency, even though the initial setup cost is higher. This makes reservoirs like Banasura Sagar ideal locations for scaling up Kerala's solar ambitions without competing for scarce agricultural or forest land.

Beyond power generation, the project has added a new dimension to the region's identity. The Kerala Tourism Department has expressed interest in promoting solar tourism around such floating solar lakes, viewing installations like this one as a scenic attraction alongside the dam's existing appeal. For residents and visitors in Wayanad interested in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, Kseb Dam Top Solar Power Padinjarathara stands as a notable example of clean energy innovation in Kerala.