INTRODUCTION - CANAL TOP SOLAR PV PROJECTS IN THE STATE OF PUNJAB
 
Punjab State has vast Canal irrigation systems more than 10000 km mainly comprising of Sirhind Canal system, Upper Bari Doab Canal System, Bhakra Main Line Canal System, Harike Head works Canal System and allied network, there  is potential of more than 1500 MW for installation of Solar PV projects. Due to extensive use of land in the state for agriculture purpose, the Canal Top Solar Plants provide an alternative to add pollution free solar generation capacity since it utilizes the vacant space over the canals and no land cost is involved.

PILOT-CUM-DEMONSTRATION SCHEME FOR GRID CONNECTED SOLAR PV POWER PLANTS ON CANAL BANKS AND CANAL TOPS

Ministry of New & Renewable Energy(MNRE),Govt. of India, under its programme of “Pilot-cum-Demonstration Project” for Grid Connected Canal Top Solar PV Power  Projects had sanctioned  20 MW Canal Top Projects to Punjab Energy Development Agency in December 2014.  PEDA got these projects implemented through private developers on Build, Operate & Own (BOO) basis. The details of these projects is as under:-

S. No.	Description	M/s. Canal Solar Energy Private Limited	M/s. Vijay Printing Press Pvt. Ltd.	M/s. SAM Solar Private Limited	M/s. SAM Solar Private Limited
1	Project Location	Ghaggar Link Canal  RD 0 to 14652 ft., near Jalkheri	Ghaggar Branch Canal RD 73772 ft to 88610 ft. Near Nidampur	Ghaggar Branch Canal RD 57500 to 65000 ft. near Nidampur	Sidhwan Branch Canal RD 8500 to 12000 ft, near Doraha
2	District	Patiala	Sangrur	Sangur	Ludhiana
3	Capacity	7.50 MW	7.50 MW	2.50 MW	2.50 MW
4.	Commissioning of the Project	10.5.2018	29.3.2018	18.3.2017	27.3.2017

These projects are generating power successfully.

UNIQUENESS OF CANAL TOP SOLAR PV PROJECTS

• The project have been designed in such a manner that the canal banks have not been touched for the safety of the canal, service road and inhabitants in the vicinity of the canals.
• The average width of the canals is  to the tune of 28m,  for which Piles and Piers have been provided to reduce the span for mounting the module structures.
• The design for module mounting structures is very unique having combination of RCC piles and ground anchoring. Additionally the super structure is based on steel in tension cable technology and space frame concept.
• Periodic desilting/cleaning of the canals bed with floating pontoons will be done for maintaining the safety of the canals and smooth flow of water.
• The canals are the lifeline of agriculture and are closed only for 10-15 days in a year for canal maintenance. The entire piling, anchoring & mounting steel structure work has been executed during short closure period and even in the running water also.
• It saves land of about  100 acres
• Reduction of CO2 emission is 7500 tons per annum