NTPC signs PPA with US-based 247Solar for round-the-clock clean power project

By Staff Report October 16, 2026 4:56 pm IST

NTPC’s project will evaluate the potential of 247Solar’s technology to provide continuous electricity, reduce dependence on coal-based generation and support the integration of clean energy into India’s power system.

NTPC Limited has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with US-based 247Solar, headquartered in Virginia, for a project aimed at generating round-the-clock clean electricity using advanced solar thermal technology. The project marks the first commercial deployment of 247Solar’s technology, representing a key milestone in efforts to address the intermittency of conventional renewable energy sources.

India’s growing electricity demand has prompted utilities to expand generation capacity across coal, solar and wind power. While solar and wind energy are increasingly contributing to the country’s electricity mix, their variable output continues to pose challenges in meeting demand during non-sunny hours and periods of unfavourable weather.

NTPC’s project will evaluate the potential of 247Solar’s technology to provide continuous electricity, reduce dependence on coal-based generation and support the integration of clean energy into India’s power system. Successful deployment could pave the way for wider adoption of the technology across the country.

Unlike conventional concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, 247Solar’s technology uses a simplified, modular and scalable design. Mirrors concentrate sunlight onto towers to generate high-temperature heat, which can be stored for later use. The system can also deliver heat at temperatures of up to 1,000°C for industrial applications.

The technology stores thermal energy in ceramic pellets for up to 20 hours. Hot air is then used to generate electricity through specialised turbines that operate without combustion under normal conditions, enabling power generation beyond daylight hours.

If stored thermal energy becomes insufficient during extended periods of cloudy weather or overnight, the turbines can also operate using liquid or gaseous fuels, including natural gas, green hydrogen and diesel. This hybrid capability is designed to maintain uninterrupted power generation when solar energy and stored heat are insufficient.

The project will demonstrate whether advanced solar thermal technology can provide a reliable, dispatchable clean power source while helping meet India’s rising electricity demand and reducing reliance on conventional fossil-fuel-based generation.