New Delhi, June 12 -- India has the potential to develop approximately 102 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of floating solar energy by leveraging its extensive network of waterbodies, according to the first-ever national assessment released by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi this week.

The government will soon introduce a dedicated policy and timeline for deploying floating solar projects, the minister said.

The report, titled 'Solar PV Potential of India: Floating Solar', was prepared by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous body under the ministry.

Combined with the land-based solar potential of 3,343 GWp estimated by NISE last year, India's total assessed solar potential now stands at 3,445 GWp....