All You Need to Know About Floating Solar Power Plants

While a relatively new concept, floating solar panels have been increasing in popularity over the years, particularly because they offer a number of advantages over their counterparts installed on dry land.

Making use of water surfaces that would otherwise be unused, taking advantage of the water’s cooling properties that can make the panels more efficient, and with the panels less likely to be impacted by shading or obstructions, floating solar panels could be a game-changer for the renewable energy industry.

Let’s look at them in a little more detail:

How do floating solar panels function?

Installed onto a floating structure made of plastic, concrete or steel which is anchored firmly to the water body’s bottom, mounted solar panels can begin generating electricity to be transmitted to an onshore power grid.

What are the pros of these panels?

There are several advantages of floating solar panels, some of which are listed below:

• Space-efficient. By reducing the competition for unused land spaces, floating solar panels can sit comfortably on water surfaces that aren’t being used for any other purpose.
• Higher levels of efficiency. Thanks to the water’s cooling effect beneath the panels, the panels become more energy efficient and produce a higher rate of electricity.
• Less evaporation. Water bodies with floating solar panel plants installed on them, can help to lower the evaporation rate, and help provide countries with water, even when it’s scarce.
• Lower impact on the environment. Not involving the acquisition of land, soil erosion, or affecting deforestation, floating solar panels are a fantastically environmentally friendly source of power.

What are the cons of these panels?

There are also a few disadvantages of floating solar panels, which must also be considered:

• Costlier to install. With the added cost of the floating structure to which they’re installed on, floating solar panels can be costlier than their counterparts on land.
• Higher maintenance costs. Requiring routine maintenance, this can also be more difficult and costlier to carry out on a body of water.
• Weather vulnerabilities. From high winds to storms and waves, floating solar panels must be securely installed to ensure they remain safe in the event of extreme weather conditions.
• Negative environmental impacts. While for the large part, floating solar panels are more environmentally friendly than traditional panels, there is still the possibility that they may disrupt delicate aquatic ecosystems, or pollute the water if not maintained appropriately.

What do floating solar panels cost?

While it’s true to say that floating solar panels cost more than land-based panels, their cost has been going down in recent years, and they are now a more affordable option for the production of renewable energy. Not only that, but thanks to their increased efficiency, they offer a significantly higher ROI over the long term.

Are floating solar panels the future? We’ll have to wait and see. But they’re certainly a viable option for countries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on the safer, more environmentally friendly production of electricity.

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