Advantages of Floating Solar Panels

Advantages of Floating Solar Panels Prof. Dr. Bülent Oral, Head of the Electrical Installations Department at the Electrical-Electronics Engineering Division of Marmara University Faculty of Technology, stated that floating solar panels offer advantages for countries with limited land area. In a two-part file prepared on new technologies in solar energy, which stands out among renewable energy sources, the first section addressed floating solar panels. The use of sustainable and clean energy sources such as wind and solar instead of fossil fuels in electricity generation plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions. According to Turkey's National Energy Plan published by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in January, the share of renewable energy sources in Turkey's total installed electricity capacity reached 52 percent in 2020. While this level is expected to rise to 64.7 percent by 2035, the largest capacity increase among renewable energy sources is targeted in solar energy. Turkey's solar energy installed capacity, which stood at 6.7 gigawatts at the end of 2020, is planned to increase to 52.9 gigawatts by 2035. When this capacity is reached, solar energy will become the largest source in Turkey's total installed electricity capacity. Experts emphasize that greater use of solar energy and installation of solar panels across vast areas worldwide is needed to prevent carbon emissions in electricity generation. While geographic conditions provide Turkey with an advantage, countries with limited land area such as Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands are exploring alternative ways to benefit from solar energy. Floating solar panels, which enter into play at this point, enable countries with limited land to benefit more from solar energy. Floating solar panels, which can be installed in existing hydroelectric power plant reservoirs, can also be set up in different areas. Floating solar energy panels installed in hydroelectric power plant reservoirs, which have grid infrastructure to deliver electricity to consumers and thereby reduce costs, allow use of the hydroelectric system when sunlight is insufficient and storage of electricity generated from solar energy in the reservoir when sunlight is adequate. It is calculated that if floating solar panels, which currently have a small share in electricity generation, were installed on 10 percent of all hydroelectric power plant reservoirs worldwide, solar energy equivalent to the electricity generation capacity of all fossil fuel-based facilities could be obtained.

"Hybrid use in hydroelectric power plants also eliminates land concerns"

Oral stated that countries are seeking innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining energy supply security and ensuring economic development, and therefore are turning to alternatives such as wind and solar farms instead of traditional renewable energy sources. Noting that these methods, which require extensive land, create problems for countries that do not have sufficient space, Oral explained that to save land, solar energy panels are installed on roofs and wind turbines are installed at sea. Stating that rapid growth is occurring in floating photovoltaic systems, Oral said, "Today, floating solar power plants are found in reservoirs, lakes, seas, water treatment pools and hydroelectric power plants. Hybrid use in hydroelectric power plants also eliminates land concerns. When hydroelectric energy decreases, benefit can be obtained from photovoltaic systems."  

Sharing the information that floating solar panels have higher costs compared to conventional solar power plants, Oral continued:

"Floating solar panels do not require land preparation. Changes in depth and water level are important factors. These also affect installation costs. Floating solar panels are constructed with a target operating life of 25 years or more. A conventional floating solar power plant consists of photovoltaic panels, a floating system, anchor systems, cabling and inverter systems, while floating systems that keep the panels on the water surface are generally obtained from buoy systems made of plastic. Anchor systems ensure the long service life of the floating solar power plant."

"Floating platform construction technology could emerge in the future"

Drawing attention to the fact that design and equipment selection in floating solar energy systems determine the power plant's service life, Oral emphasized the need to be careful in choosing appropriate materials against environmental risks such as waves, severe storms, earthquakes and tsunamis. Noting that most of the offshore wind power plants are fixed, but current floating wind power plants are also built in areas far from shore due to noise pollution, Oral said, "Floating solar energy systems, on the other hand, can be built in areas closer to shore, in unused water reservoirs or in lakes. Open seas are not currently a widely used option for floating solar energy power plants. There will be a transition from fixed to floating in wind power plants used in open seas. A report by the International Energy Agency estimates that by 2040, floating platforms will account for 10 percent of global offshore capacity, and by 2050, 40 percent. Floating platform construction technology could become more prominent in the future." Source