India’s largest electric utility, NTPC Limited, has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with 247Solar, a Virginia-based company developing modular concentrated solar thermal technology. The NTPC solar thermal project, at Rajasthan’s Bhadla Solar Park, will be 247Solar’s first commercial deployment. The company announced the agreement on 15 October 2026 from Great Falls, Virginia.
NTPC was formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation. It will use the project to test whether the technology can provide round-the-clock clean electricity and reduce its reliance on coal. The initial installation is a hybrid of about 1 MW that combines solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) generation.
Addressing solar intermittency without coal
India is trying to meet rapidly growing electricity demand. Its utilities have recently built coal capacity alongside solar and wind power to cover the gap left by PV panels after sunset and during poor weather. 247Solar said its system is designed to close that gap.
According to the company, its backers expect NTPC to look at expanding the technology more broadly across India if the project succeeds. It added that other countries with similar grid problems will be watching how India handles off-grid and weak-grid industrial demand and the intermittency of conventional PV.
“This new version of solar thermal solves the problem of intermittent solar and wind power, and avoids spending more on outdated, costly, and dirty coal plants,” said Bruce Anderson, founder and CEO of 247Solar.
“India’s rapid growth plainly requires more clean, reliable and affordable energy,” Anderson added. “Our system can help meet that demand. I’m thrilled that after several years of deep due diligence, NTPC is working with us to bring this promising technology into wider use.”
How the 247Solar system works
The company said its technology originated at MIT. Like earlier concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, it uses mirrors to focus the sun’s heat on towers. The company describes its design as simplified, modular and scalable, and says it can also supply heat of up to 1000°C (over 1800°F) for industrial processes.
Heat is stored for up to 20 hours in inexpensive ceramic pellets. Hot air then drives turbines that, under normal conditions, operate without combustion. If stored heat runs low overnight or during extended cloudy weather, the same turbines can run on liquid or gaseous fuels, including natural gas, green hydrogen or diesel, so the plant can keep producing power.
247Solar lists the following benefits compared with traditional CSP technology:
- Lower cost
- Speed to power
- Simplicity of design and operation
- High reliability
- Grid independence
- Cost-effective baseload power
The company has published a video explaining how the 247Solar system works. Climate Global News has previously reported on 247Solar’s high-temperature solar heat and round-the-clock clean power for industry.
Details of the NTPC solar thermal project at Bhadla
The hybrid project integrates one 400 kW modular 247Solar Plant™ with several hundred kilowatts of PV. It is being installed at Bhadla Solar Park, already one of the world’s largest solar energy hubs, in an arid region of north-western India.
NTPC and 247Solar chose the site for its abundant sunshine and easy interconnection for offtake. The project is backed by the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited, which has approved preliminary studies, site surveys and structural tests.
Rajasthan as a proving ground
247Solar describes the demonstration as an early step towards round-the-clock clean power for industry and residents in India. The company said success would make Rajasthan a proving ground for the technology. It added that the project would give NTPC a new tool to meet growing demand while reducing its reliance on coal and cutting costs and carbon emissions.
Frequently asked questions
What agreement has NTPC signed with 247Solar?
NTPC Limited, India’s largest electric utility, has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Virginia-based 247Solar. The deployment will be 247Solar’s first commercial project.
Where is the NTPC solar thermal project located?
The project is being installed at Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, in an arid region of north-western India. NTPC and 247Solar chose the site for its abundant sunshine and easy interconnection for offtake.
How big is the NTPC 247Solar project?
It is a hybrid of about 1 MW. It integrates one 400 kW modular 247Solar Plant with several hundred kilowatts of PV.
How does 247Solar’s technology provide power at night?
Mirrors concentrate sunlight on a tower, and the heat is stored for up to 20 hours in ceramic pellets. Hot air drives turbines that operate without combustion under normal conditions. If stored heat runs low, the turbines can also run on fuels such as natural gas, green hydrogen or diesel.
Why is NTPC testing 247Solar’s technology?
Indian utilities have built coal capacity to cover the gap left by solar PV at night and in bad weather. NTPC will test whether 247Solar’s system can close that gap and reduce its reliance on coal.
