The concept of floating solar panels

Floating solar panels are installed on the water surface of the power generation system, the use of certain technologies to make it float on the water surface, the solar energy can be converted into electricity, through the transmission facilities to the land, and then after a series of processing for people to use, usually installed in lakes, fishponds and other places.

The difference between floating solar panels and traditional panels

In today’s society, when we mention solar panels, most people will coincidentally think of traditional solar panels, but so far, there have been a number of countries that have installed floating solar arrays.

Inside people’s mindset, solar panels can only be fixed to the ground or roof with brackets, but with the advancement of technology, they are no longer limited to land. People use water buoyancy to make photovoltaic modules floating on the water surface, the solar energy into electricity delivered to the land, so as to achieve the purpose of power generation.

The difference between the two is mainly reflected in the fixing method, as we all know, the traditional panel is to use the bracket to fix it on the ground or on the roof, while the so-called floating solar panels are installed on the water surface.

Currently floating solar panels are used in the region

Floating solar panels are suitable for areas where water resources are abundant and land resources are scarce. For example, there are more floating solar farms in Southeast Asia. In Asia, where land resources are more scarce and numerous hydroelectric dams are connected to transmission facilities, floating solar panels are more suitable for installation.

For the United States and other expensive land and electricity demand in the region, floating solar panels is a very good choice.

Advantages of floating solar panels

Saving land resources. Traditional solar panels need to take up a lot of land resources, and about seventy-one percent of the earth is ocean, land resources are very precious to us. But floating solar panels solve this problem perfectly.

Improvement of water quality. Fresh water is the best body of water for installing floating solar panels. However, on one hand, freshwater is prone to algae growth, which consumes dissolved oxygen in the water and jeopardizes wildlife; on the other hand, freshwater water temperature varies with climate change, which affects the living organisms. In this regard, floating solar panels can inhibit algae growth while maintaining the temperature of the water body.

Improve efficiency. The heat gathered around the solar panel will reduce the efficiency, at this time, the water can achieve the cooling effect, so as to improve efficiency.

Environmental protection and energy saving. Floating solar panels are different from fossil fuels, higher efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, slowing down the greenhouse effect.

Disadvantages of floating solar panels

High Maintenance Costs. Floating solar panels are still a relatively new technology to us, there are fewer technicians specialized in this area, and the maintenance costs are also higher, not applicable to more economically challenged families.

Water may have adverse effects. Solar panels are waterproof, but when their waterproofing measures are not perfect, they may still cause short circuits and other conditions under the influence of water, which is a safety hazard.

Impact on aquatic life. Since floating solar panels are covered with water, it will reduce the area of direct sunlight on the water surface, and at the same time, it may take up the habitat space of certain animals. Therefore, we can choose to install floating solar panels in water bodies with fewer animal species like artificial lakes.

Does floating solar panel make sense for people’s lives?

It makes sense. Some places where land resources are scarce, the use of traditional solar panels is not conducive to agricultural development, at this time, floating solar panels can reduce the use of land resources, make full use of water resources, and improve economic efficiency.

Summarize

In a word, floating solar panels are power generation devices installed on the water surface, and people can choose them according to the actual situation.