The Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS) is the first of its kind on Lake Cirata. This power plant boasts a capacity of 192 Megawatt-peak (MWp).
It is touted as the largest floating solar power plant in Southeast Asia and the third-largest in the world, covering an area of 200 hectares. The site has attracted attention from various parties, including Nas Daily.
The Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on November 9, 2023, marking a significant step toward realizing the goal of developing new and renewable energy power plants.
What about other solar power plants in Indonesia?
A Brief History of Solar Power Plants in Indonesia (Evolution Over Time)
Solar power plants have garnered global attention since the 1970s. Their key advantages lie in their virtually limitless supply and environmentally friendly nature. Initially, sunlight was converted into electricity using photovoltaic technology.
The first solar power plants in Indonesia were established as pilot projects in the Karangasem and Bangli Regencies of Bali, each with a capacity of 1 MW.
Construction began in 2012, and they continue to operate successfully, supplying electricity to the surrounding areas.
Universitas Indonesia hosts the country's first bifacial floating solar power plant. It is located on the lake at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant stands as Indonesia's first floating solar facility. Located at the Cirata Reservoir in Purwakarta, West Java, it boasts an electricity generation capacity of 145 MW.
Inaugurated on October 23, 2023, it holds the title of the largest solar power plant in Asia and is Indonesia's first floating solar power plant.
Change and Develop Over Time**
The development of solar power plants in Indonesia has been accelerating rapidly year by year. According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), solar energy usage reached 14 MW in 2018 and rose to 18 MW in 2020.
Solar power plant (PLTS) variants are not limited to ground-mounted installations; rooftop solar power systems for homes are now also available. According to Katadata.co.id, the number of rooftop solar installations is estimated to have reached 2,500 units.
Types of Solar Power Plants in Indonesia
Solar power plants in Indonesia fall into three categories: On-Grid, Off-Grid, and Hybrid.
a. On-Grid Solar Power Plants
An On-Grid solar power plant is directly connected to the PLN electricity grid. In other words, it generates electricity from solar panels that can be fed into the grid (such as PLN's), allowing the energy to be fully utilized.
This system is an effective solution for reducing operational costs. Beyond being cost-effective, the system is relatively simple compared to other types.
On-Grid systems are considered ideal for commercial sectors already connected to the electricity grid, as they reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy sources.
b. Off-Grid Solar Power Plants
An Off-Grid solar power plant operates independently and is not connected to an electricity grid like PLN's. To use it, a battery is required to store electricity for times when there is no sunlight.
This type of system is suitable for underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions that struggle to access electricity—particularly areas with limited sunlight exposure.
An example of this in Indonesia is the Off-Grid solar project in the Birang Remote Indigenous Community (KAT) village in Berau, East Kalimantan. This project was supported by SUN Energy.
c. Hybrid Solar Power Plants
A Hybrid solar power plant combines On-Grid and Off-Grid systems; it connects to the PLN grid but also includes a battery for energy storage. This hybrid system offers flexibility and energy usage efficiency.
An example of a hybrid solar project is the Roll-Up PV solar plant located at the Berau Coal mining site in Suaran, East Kalimantan. Hybrid solar power plants (PLTS) are being utilized for mining operations.
The Future of Solar Power in Indonesia
The think tank Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) projects that solar energy will become the backbone of a zero-emission energy system by 2050. By 2060, solar energy usage is projected to account for 61% of the total energy mix.
This aligns with the trend of solar power technology becoming mainstream in Indonesia. Growth in the country is expected to accelerate, driven by global market dynamics; this is evidenced, for instance, by the rapid 45% drop in bid prices for utility-scale solar projects under PLN over the past five years.
Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), highlights three key factors that will drive solar power development in Indonesia: political will—manifested through sustainable policies and regulations; the development of an integrated ecosystem that establishes quality standards for human resources; and the growth of a competitive solar PV manufacturing industry.
With a modular solar PV resource potential reaching 3,300 GW, this represents the most rational choice for Indonesia to achieve a carbon-free status by 2060.