With the increased popularity of clean energy solutions, there is one interesting innovation that is sweeping through the market known as floating solar farms. These systems, termed as floatovoltaics, are redefining the ways we exploit solar power as well as its location. That is why, with a restricted area and increasing energy demands, America is currently discovering a brand new realm in renewable energy by utilising this state-of-the-art technology in solar energy.
What is a solar farm on a floating platform?
A floating solar farm is a solar power plant developed on water sources (such as reservoirs, lakes, or ponds). Solar panels are fixed on buoyancy networks, which are supported in the water, and anchoring systems keep them in place. Such installations aid in the production of clean power that will not consume land.
The case of floating solar:
1. Utilization of unused space
Floating solar panels capitalize on the available water bodies. In particular, the water bodies close to urban or industrial areas can be utilized. This allows important land to be available in terms of agriculture, development, or conservation.
2. Energy efficiency increase
This is because it is cooled by water underneath the panels to make them perform better. Research has found floating solar to be 10–15 percent superior to land-based systems.
3. Decreases water rainout
The floating solar can prevent the evaporation of millions of gallons of water each year in hot and dry areas by supporting the reservoirs.
4. Assists in reducing algae growth
These systems may also combat algae blooms and enhance the quality of water by preventing sunlight from entering the water body.
The U.S. floating solar: Emerging opportunity
Although other countries such as China, India, and Japan have taken the initiative to dominate the global trend of floating solar, the U.S. is closing in.
Several pilot and utility-scale projects are being opened:
– Floating solar is being used in California to run wastewater treatment plants and to save water.
– New Jersey has implemented more than 8 MW of floating solar in man-made lakes.
– Florida, Arizona, and Texas are currently investigating the availability of options to increase floating PV capacity.
In the U.S., there are more than 24,000 man-made reservoirs, which represent enormous potential that can be used by floating solar.
Like any technology, floating solar has a few obstacles:
– A steeper initial capital requirement characterized by special floating structures and anchoring
– Complicated care in water-based settings
– The buffer allows delays because not every state has a streamlined process by which to deal with water-based solar
But with the rising awareness and the upgrading of technology, these problems are slowly being resolved.
