5 Reasons to Install Solar on Water (Floating PV)
Solar roof installations and solar farms have become commonplace, with Australia featuring one of the highest per capita solar ratings in the world. A new type of solar is adding an extra twist to the traditional installation location of solar panels though; bodies of water.
With thousands of square kilometres of available space on lakes and dams, there is ample space that can be used to generate electricity.
Here are some of the reasons companies with access to water storage are choosing to install solar:
1. Reduces evaporation and loss of water
With low rainfall and water storage issues a never-ending problem for our arid country, solar panels installed on the water help lower the evaporation rate. This means less money spent on buying water, and less space required to store additional water.
2. Cool panels mean higher production
Solar electricity is produced by light, not heat. This means that solar panels will actually operate less efficiently during unseasonable hot times of day or year. Panels cooled by water offer higher yields than panels placed on a hot roof.
3. Easy sun tracking
Some FPV systems can easily track the sun, rotating easily on water as needed. This means maximum solar output as the panels follow the sun.
4. Lower algae growth
In water with a high risk of blue-green algae, the lowered sun penetration can decrease the risk of algae outbreaks.
5. Saving land space
With good quality land space at a premium in a never-ending battle between forests, farms, and infrastructure, solar farms often take up much-needed land. Solar farms built on the water make use of space that would otherwise only be used for water storage.
6. More solar production
A 2018 study found that floating PV is more efficient, producing up to 10% more electricity than panels installed in traditional locations. This was attributed primarily to the cooling of the panels on water.
How are solar panels installed on water?
When installing a floating PV system a range of factors need to be taken into consideration that aren’t present when installing solar on dry land. Engineers need to ensure the system can withstand corrosion and account for possible damage by storms, wind, and waves. The system is installed onto pontoons that are tethered to the bottom of the body of water. Underwater or floating cables carry the DC electricity to an inverter on shore, where it can be converted to AC electricity and either used or sent to the grid.
Australia’s floating PV projects
Although a relatively new type of solar in Australia, there have been several large-scale floating PV projects across the country. They include:
200KW in Lismore, New South Wales
Installed as a community project with Farming the Sun in 2017, this double installation featured 100KW installed on the East Lismore sewage treatment plant and a further 100KW on a local aquatic centre.
4MW in Jamestown, South Australia
Installed in 2015 by Infratech Industries, this was the premier FPV installation in Australia. The installation was designed to supply power to a wastewater facility owned by the Northern Areas Council.
12MW Adelaide, South Australia
Installed in 2021, this project was built at the Happy Valley Reservoir to reduce the 1500ML of water lost to evaporation each year while working to achieve the goal of helping SA water reduce its net electricity costs to $0.
Are you looking for further information about floating PV and what’s involved? Give our team a call, and we can talk about the best solar option for your project.