Solar farms can take up a lot of space, but there is a solution to this scarcity: floating panels. In nearly a dozen countries around the world, floating solar farms are offering a welcome alternative to ground-mounted modules, with the potential to significantly boost clean energy as the world races to reduce carbon emissions. Large solar farms can now be found on the waters of China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Portugal, Singapore and Switzerland. Countries including India and Indonesia are developing such projects, and the world's largest man-made lake may also feature floating solar panels to supplement local hydroelectric power. The floating solar panels use the sun's rays to generate electricity, but the water on which these farms depend also helps cool the panels, making them 15 percent more efficient than ground-based solar energy. Floating solar can complement other renewable energy sources.
The Sirindhorn Dam in Thailand is a hydro-floating solar hybrid system that combines hydroelectric power and floating solar power to generate electricity in both sunny and cloudy days. Southeast Asian countries including China and South Korea have invested heavily in floating solar, and Europe is now its second-biggest market. As water constraints increase around the world, floating solar power may help maintain supplies and reduce the chances of harmful algal blooms. However, whether floating solar will negatively impact wildlife and water quality is unclear. The biggest barrier to adoption is cost, as floating solar systems require anchoring systems to lock them in place. Longi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd, one of the world's largest solar manufacturers, is sending panels into space to test the possibility of harnessing solar power in orbit.