FEATURE | e d i t i o n
Alternative Power Floating Solar Panels Introduce New Possibilities for Ag by PAMELA PALONGUE
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MANY PEOPLE, including those in the agriculture sector, are embracing a new type of solar power technology that harnesses the sun’s rays without taking up valuable space on land.
That’s just fine with D3Energy, a solar developer of floating solar projects. The term “floating solar” may be a bit of a misnomer, however. The solar panels are actually installed on a rack that is suspended about 18 to 24 inches over bodies of water and do not actually rest on the water itself. D3Energy has been installing these innovative panels for the past six years and has installed more floating solar systems than any other company in the country. We spoke with Stetson Tchividjian, Director of Business Development for D3Energy, to find out why this is rapidly becoming a trend for farmers and ranchers. One of the most obvious reasons people are turning to solar in general is because it’s more economical in the long run and is, of course, great for the planet. But floating solar is a new way to maximize the benefits by installing the panels over water, rather than land.
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“The big thing I’d like to stress about floating solar, is that it is the same solar panels that are used on land. It is the exact same equipment, except for the racking,” explains Tchividjian. The racks, however, are the secret sauce. They allow the use of still bodies of water, such as drinking reservoirs, quarry lakes, stock ponds and retention ponds, to be used as a platform for
the solar panels. In Florida specifically, land is in short supply and comes at a premium. By utilizing these bodies of water, farmers and ranchers can take advantage of the savings of solar without sacrificing dry land used for growing and grazing. Also, by placing the panels over the water, there is a reduction in evaporation of about 50 to 70% in the retention and stock ponds. Another benefit of placing the panels over water is the cooling effect of the water on the panel. The hotter a panel becomes, the less efficient it is at generating electricity. Stetson says they have
The racks allow the use of still bodies of water, such as drinking reservoirs, quarry lakes, stock ponds and retention ponds, to be used as a platform for the solar panels. In Florida specifically, land is in short supply and comes at a premium. By utilizing these bodies of water, farmers and ranchers can take advantage of the savings of solar without sacrificing dry land used for growing and grazing.
FloridaAgNews.com
