Waves Of New Growth For Floating Solar

Floating Solar Opens New Markets For Renewable Energy

Mark Venables, May 28, 2019 (Forbes)

“…[New technology] will enable large-scale solar developments on coastal seawater, lakes, and reservoirs…[The flagship ‘floater’] has a diameter of 72m with an area of approximately 4000m2…[Floaters use] utility type, dual-glass, crystalline silicon modules with a customized junction box, cables, and attachment features…The modules can be rapidly and securely attached to the membrane enabling good thermal contact with the waterbody. The membrane itself is non-permeable and is a barrier against the waterbody, designed to withstand mechanical stress and sun exposure…[The] product is best suited within 45 degrees latitude…[Target] areas are some of the hottest regions on the planet such as Australia, the Sahara Desert, and the Middle East…

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According to data from the World Bank, these contain nearly 400,000 square kilometers of man-made reservoirs alone…[A tiny portion of these vast areas of water surfaces would be a two-terawatt] $2 trillion business, assuming approximately one dollar per watt installed…[A prototype floater] has been on trial for two years… Statkraft ordered a floating solar plant with a maximum capacity of 2 MW for the Banja reservoir in Albania. The solar park will consist of four floating units of 0.5 MW each, with a total investment cost of €2.3 million…[It] is the first major commercial contract for the system…” click here for more

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