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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2858
ANSWERED ON 17.03.2026
NATIONAL POLICY AND RESEARCH EFFORTS TO PROMOTE SOLAR-
POWERED BOATS
2858. SHRI GOVINDBHAI LALJIBHAI DHOLAKIA
Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is considering on chalking out a plan to encourage the use of solar-
powered boats for fishing, passenger transport and tourism in collaboration with State
Governments, if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether Government is collaborating with research institutions and industry to strengthen
research and development for solar boats and whether testing in the field of indigenous
technology development is being done; and
(c) if so, the milestone achievements made so far in this area?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) to (c) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is not implementing any scheme to
support use of solar-powered boats for fishing, passenger transport and tourism. However,
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the aegis of MNRE,
is conducting a study on feasibility of utilizing solar power in boats including the boats used for
fishing.
NISE has collaborated with the Centre for Sustainable Energy and Environment (CSEE), a non-
governmental organization, for the implementation of the pilot project and trial runs.
Some of the key milestones achieved in this area include the development and deployment of a
pilot solar boat for fishermen. The design work and procurement of key components such as PV
modules, batteries, charge controllers, motors, and fibre boats have been completed. The motor,
PV modules, and batteries have been tested at the NISE and fibre boat fabrication has been
completed at Uppada Harbour. System integration, field trials and performance validation at the
demonstration site are currently being carried out.
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