UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves 'Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY)' for Development of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Projects with Energy Storage Systems with a total outlay of Rs.5,070 crore

Q1. Under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY), the highest rate of Central Financial Assistance available to an eligible floating solar photovoltaic project, payable on its successful commissioning, is:

  • A. Rs 50 lakh per MW of commissioned floating solar capacity
  • B. Rs 1 crore per MW of commissioned floating solar capacity
  • C. Rs 1.5 crore per MW of commissioned floating solar capacity
  • D. 40 per cent of the total capital cost of the project

Q2. In the context of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, the figure of 10,000 MWh refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The minimum annual electricity generation expected from each floating solar project sanctioned under the scheme
  • B. The battery storage capacity already commissioned alongside floating solar plants in the country before the scheme
  • C. The aggregate energy storage capacity to be created along with the 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity targeted
  • D. The cumulative electricity to be supplied annually to the island territories under the scheme's island component

Q3. Consider the following statements comparing the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY) with the Ministry's existing scheme for grid-connected solar projects in the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands: 1. PM-SSY is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, whereas the islands scheme for solar projects is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 2. Under the islands scheme, central financial assistance is capped at a percentage of project cost, whereas under PM-SSY assistance for the project component is a fixed amount per MW of commissioned capacity. 3. Under the islands scheme, projects are executed through central public sector undertakings on a Build, Own and Operate basis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PM-SSY is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, whereas the islands scheme for solar projects is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  2. Under the islands scheme, central financial assistance is capped at a percentage of project cost, whereas under PM-SSY assistance for the project component is a fixed amount per MW of commissioned capacity.
  3. Under the islands scheme, projects are executed through central public sector undertakings on a Build, Own and Operate basis.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The assessment of India's floating solar photovoltaic potential that preceded the approval of PM-SSY was prepared, in association with IIT Roorkee, under the lead of which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited
  • B. National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai
  • C. National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram
  • D. Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the recent solar resource potential assessments carried out under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: 1. The ground-mounted solar potential was assessed at about 3,343 GWp, a substantial upward revision from the earlier estimate of about 749 GWp. 2. The floating solar photovoltaic potential across reservoirs and inland water bodies was assessed at about 102 GWp. 3. The ground-mounted potential figure corresponds to the utilisation of about 18 per cent of India's identified feasible wasteland. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ground-mounted solar potential was assessed at about 3,343 GWp, a substantial upward revision from the earlier estimate of about 749 GWp.
  2. The floating solar photovoltaic potential across reservoirs and inland water bodies was assessed at about 102 GWp.
  3. The ground-mounted potential figure corresponds to the utilisation of about 18 per cent of India's identified feasible wasteland.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, consider the following: 1. Projects supported under the scheme must have a co-located energy storage system of at least two hours' storage duration. 2. The scheme's benefits are confined to those States which already have commissioned floating solar capacity. 3. Central financial assistance for the project component is released only after the project is successfully commissioned. 4. The scheme is projected to avoid roughly 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Projects supported under the scheme must have a co-located energy storage system of at least two hours' storage duration.
  2. The scheme's benefits are confined to those States which already have commissioned floating solar capacity.
  3. Central financial assistance for the project component is released only after the project is successfully commissioned.
  4. The scheme is projected to avoid roughly 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana with earlier floating solar support in India: 1. PM-SSY requires energy storage to be co-located with the floating solar plant, whereas the islands scheme permits floating solar PV plants with or without a battery energy storage system. 2. PM-SSY targets addition of about 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity, a large increment over the roughly 700 MW of floating solar capacity commissioned in India before the scheme. 3. Unlike ground-mounted solar projects, floating solar projects under PM-SSY are exempted from any requirement of preparatory studies such as bathymetry and hydrography. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PM-SSY requires energy storage to be co-located with the floating solar plant, whereas the islands scheme permits floating solar PV plants with or without a battery energy storage system.
  2. PM-SSY targets addition of about 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity, a large increment over the roughly 700 MW of floating solar capacity commissioned in India before the scheme.
  3. Unlike ground-mounted solar projects, floating solar projects under PM-SSY are exempted from any requirement of preparatory studies such as bathymetry and hydrography.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. India's Floating Solar Potential Map, which assesses reservoir-surface potential separately from the wasteland-based potential assessed for ground-mounted plants, was placed in the public domain by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in which year?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2021
  • C. 2025
  • D. 2026

Q9. Of India's total identified reservoir area of about 10,726 sq km examined in the floating solar potential assessment, approximately what share was found technically feasible for floating solar photovoltaic deployment?

  • A. About 7 per cent
  • B. About 18 per cent
  • C. About 33 per cent
  • D. About 50 per cent

Q10. With reference to floating solar photovoltaic projects commissioned in India, consider the following pairs of project location and installed capacity: 1. Ramagundam, Telangana — 100 MW, the largest floating solar project in the country 2. Kayamkulam, Kerala — 92 MW 3. Simhadri, Andhra Pradesh — 25 MW 4. Kawas, Gujarat — 92 MW Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Ramagundam, Telangana — 100 MW, the largest floating solar project in the country
  2. Kayamkulam, Kerala — 92 MW
  3. Simhadri, Andhra Pradesh — 25 MW
  4. Kawas, Gujarat — 92 MW
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to India's renewable energy targets within which the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana is situated, consider the following statements: 1. India announced at COP26 in Glasgow a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity capacity by 2030. 2. The National Solar Mission was launched in January 2010. 3. India attained the target of 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources ahead of the 2030 deadline. 4. The Panchamrit commitments require India to source its entire electricity generation from non-fossil sources by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India announced at COP26 in Glasgow a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity capacity by 2030.
  2. The National Solar Mission was launched in January 2010.
  3. India attained the target of 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources ahead of the 2030 deadline.
  4. The Panchamrit commitments require India to source its entire electricity generation from non-fossil sources by 2030.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only