changeadminNew Delhi-based National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is conducting a study on the feasibility of solar boats in India, including fishing boats.
NISE has collaborated with the Centre for Sustainable Energy and Environment (CSEE), a non-governmental organisation, to implement the pilot project and conduct trial runs to utilise solar power on boats.
Solar boats, or solar-powered boats, use photovoltaic panels to generate electricity for propulsion, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuel vessels. They align well with sustainable transport in ecologically sensitive areas such as India’s rivers and coasts, reducing emissions and noise pollution.
Solar boats produce zero direct emissions, cutting carbon dioxide and particulate matter compared to diesel engines. They also minimise noise and vibrations, protecting marine life and enabling silent exploration in wildlife zones.
The National Institute of Solar Energy-backed project has achieved key milestones, including the development and deployment of a pilot solar-powered boat for fishermen in India.
The design work and procurement of key components, including 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 underway.
Solar boats in India are not new; Kerala’s backwaters have already introduced the country’s first solar ferry, offering premium, sustainable transportation and saving fuel costs.
Kochi-based Navalt is the company behind Kerala’s solar boats. The company offers a comprehensive range of eco-marine solutions for passenger and cargo transport, as well as functional needs.
India’s fisheries and tourism sectors can benefit from such green maritime technology to support sustainable livelihoods and reduce fossil fuel dependence and pollution in mechanised fishing.
Kochi is also the first city in India to launch the first battery-powered electric boats in 2023. The government-backed Kochi water metro has proven to be a transformational initiative in providing sustainable urban water transport.
In December 2025, the spiritual city of Varanasi marked a significant milestone in India’s green maritime push when the commercial operation of the first fully indigenous hydrogen-fuel-cell passenger vessel started.
The addition of solar boats in India can further advance sustainable mobility initiatives, providing a significant boost to greener transport, improving connectivity, and increasing the use of alternative fuels on inland waterways.
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