- Pakistan plans to deploy solar panels on canals.
- The solar canals will reduce evaporation and save on land use.
- Consultants are expected to identify six sites for solar power generation in the Punjab region.
The Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) is currently seeking consultants to conduct a feasibility study to deploy solar plants on the surface of canals across the Gujranwala division, an administrative division in northern Punjab. Punjab has one of the country’s widest-spread canal networks in the region, comprising lined and unlined channels, the PPDB stated.
The PPDB believes that installing solar PV panes will save from using expensive land to generate solar power. The PPDB will supply the generated electricity to nearby localities and industries.
Selected consultants will identify lined, and unlined canals and minor canals suitable for canal-top solar power generation and are near suitable power infrastructure. Consultants are expected to select six sites for power generation.
Solar panels have successfully been mounted in canals in India, where it helps to conserve land and reduce water evaporation from the canals while generating clean electricity. In addition, a recent University of California, Santa Cruz survey indicated that solar canals are already becoming cost-competitive compared to ground-mounted PV.
Consultants have until September 30 to submit their proposals.