China, being the ever-pioneering state it is, is now looking to place a large number of solar panels floating off its shores. The scale is high, but the space on offer for this project is prime, and the returns could do wonders for their energy supply needs, which have been a pressing issue for some time.
Floating solar panels are not a new idea, but China is amping up the stakes
Floating solar farms are not a new idea, as several countries have experimented with photovoltaic arrays before, just maybe not quite like this. China’s effort takes this concept a step further. These floating arrays will have to be durable and withstand the volatile conditions that China seeks to place them in.
The risks involved are worth taking as floating solar panels do free up land space, which is vital to a nation with as many people as China. Its dense population is one of the driving reasons that China has diversified its energy portfolio as much as they have, and these floating solar panels are yet another step in that direction.
What will make China’s floating solar panels different from others?
Countries have in the past placed floating solar panels in bays or reservoirs, less tumultuous settings, but China is looking to have its floating solar panels hours away from the shore, in the ocean. This brings with it a distinct set of challenges, from the materials used to manufacture the solar panels to the conditions these will be subjected to.
Corrosion, waves, gale-force winds, and salt will all need to be considered and safeguarded against. Cable engineering and anchoring systems will also be a principal factor, but the level of engineering standards in China might see all this easily managed. All these aspects will have to be far superior to the more typical floating solar panels.
6,000,000 solar panels will serve China from the sea
The farm will consist of around 6,000,000 solar panels placed on truss foundations and platforms. This will be one of the world’s largest floating solar farms and one of the largest solar installations in China’s coastal waters.
Part of CHN Energy’s offshore solar efforts, the farm off the coast of Dongying in Shandong Province has been connected to the grid and is generating power. Spanning 1,223 hectares and constructed on 2,934 PV platforms with steel truss foundations as support, each platform carries a cluster of panels. These are strategically spaced and situated in a way that reduces shadowing and any interference from waves. Power is delivered to the mainland via a 66 kV offshore cable tied to an onshore line.
How will these solar panels benefit China despite the risks?
The farm is projected to generate 1.78 terawatt-hours per year. This will slash coal reliance and bring emissions down significantly. The cost of acquiring land is also circumvented, and supply demands in coastal zones are also improved by this solar farm. Officials are confident that the solar panels will also not disrupt marine life, which can still thrive beneath them.
Maintenance will be somewhat of a challenge as this is always more expensive at sea than on land. The conditions these solar panels will face will not be gentle. Tidal motion will need to be contended with, and although the idea is for these solar panels not to impact marine life, this will still need to be closely monitored.
The Dongying may very well be the first of many, as China has hinted at driving this offshore approach to solar panels in other areas. The world will be watching as the outcomes of this project will either be avoided or mirrored by other countries.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of events affecting companies is purely informative and descriptive. Under no circumstances does it seek to promote an opinion or create a trend, nor can it be taken as investment advice or a recommendation of any kind.