Floating solar

Most solar energy installations are either ground-mounted or on the rooftops of commercial buildings or private residences. Floating solar, the term used to refer to floating PV structures installed on water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, mining or irrigation ponds, is expected to become the “next frontier” of the solar energy industry. Floating solar systems are similar to land-based ones except the solar panels are installed on pontoon-type floats, with an anchoring and mooring system holding the platform in place. Besides the advantage of using existing electricity transmission infrastructure at hydropower sites, there is no need for major site preparation. In addition, floating solar farms bring higher energy yields due to the cooling effects of water and the decreased presence of dust which can lessen solar panel performance. Hybrid hydro-PV system Since the first floating PV system was built in 2007 in Japan, the floating solar market has been well established in many countries, with China the largest player. However, the development of hybrid systems that combine hydropower and floating solar is still at an early stage.

Hydropower and solar can be co-located, with either floating or ground-mounted solar panels around a hydropower reservoir. Using existing hydropower infrastructure, reduces the installation costs of the solar farm. Depending on daily demand, it is possible to reduce hydropower output during the daytime and bring it back up in the evening, with solar covering a portion of peak requirement in the afternoon. Q FLOATING SOLAR ‘next frontier’

Since the first floating PV system was built in 2007 in Japan, the floating solar market has become well established in many countries, particularly in Asia. This example, due to become fully operational in 2021, is on the Tengeh Reservoir in Singapore. Image: SERIS

Floating solar systems are similar to landbased ones except the solar panels are installed on pontoon-type floats, with an anchoring and mooring system. »