Floating solar farms are not only about generating power; they are also about changing the face of modern energy production. Floating solar farms have many advantages over conventional solar installations. The most obvious is that they do not need a foundation; they can be anchored to the ground (or the seabed) in shallow areas or underwater in deeper waters than usual for floating facilities. Here are things you need to know about floating solar farms.
Long-Term Power Outage Solutions
Distributed wind turbine farms are a long-term solution to power outages, but no one wants to build such projects in locations more vulnerable to sea-level rise. Floating solar farms can provide a constant electricity supply in these locations and help reduce the risk of a prolonged power outage. They are much more compact than turnkey wind farms and can be placed in areas susceptible to tropical storms and other natural disasters.
Floating Solar Farms are Environmentally Friendly
The advantage of floating solar farms over land-based ones is enormous. They do not require additional space to be taken up; they can fit into existing structures and be placed in water bodies that are rich in marine life. They do not need to be anchored in the ground and can be left floating at sea. Some floating solar farms have been harvested, reassembled and put back into service after being dragged onto land by ocean currents. This shows that floating solutions are possible for renewable energy generation in not-so-permanent locations, but it also shows that ocean currents can be deadly when encountering floating structures.
Floating Solar Farms are Not Only About Power Generation; They Are About Changing the Face of Energy Production
The way we generate electricity is changing. Current installations tend to turn out fossil fuels, while renewable energy sources (wind and solar) are more environmentally friendly. Floating solar farms have lower maintenance costs than land-based ones, and they can be installed anywhere, within national borders, or even in international waters. The first floating solar farm was launched in Cancun in 2014, but this is the beginning of the trend. There are plans to build a floating solar farm in the neutral waters of the South China Sea, although other countries are concerned about this.
Floating Solar Farms can be More Efficient and More Affordable Than Land-Based Solar Farms
Most companies producing floating solar farms claim that they can be more efficient than conventional land-based solar farms. The main reason is that they produce electricity under a constant temperature and free of light pollution, making them more efficient than traditional solutions requiring expensive cooling systems. This can make floating solar farms more affordable than traditional land-based solar farms, as they do not need to be topped up with coolants.
Floating Solar Farms are Customizable Solutions
Floating solar farms can be tailored to specific needs and requirements. They can be installed in the sea or on the water’s surface (depending on the type of structure hosting them). They can be anchored in shallow waters or located several miles out of the water, and they can change direction to follow the wind. They are faster than wind, and solar farms are anchored to the ground and do not require expensive maintenance.
Floating Solar Farms Have a Potentially Higher Power Output than Land-Based Solar Farms
Some companies claim that floating solar farms are more powerful than conventional ones because they uniformly generate electricity. Although engineers say that using floating solar farms requires very careful planning, this is mostly true. The turbines need to be on a specific axis, and the company producing them will advise how high up the turbine should be to maximize its output.
Floating Solar Farms can be Used in Extreme Weather Conditions
Why should we put all our eggs in one basket for renewable energy sources? Floating solar farms are probably safer than ground-based ones, but they also can be used in extreme climatic conditions. They do not need cooling systems, and they are much less vulnerable to ocean currents and weather changes.
Floating Solar Farms Can Be Installed Anywhere on Earth
Floating solar farms provide a solution not limited by national borders or local geography. They can be installed virtually anywhere there is sufficient water, making them an attractive option for countries affected by the effects of climate change.
Conclusion
Floating solar farms have much to offer in terms of environmental and economic benefits compared to traditional land-based solar farms. They are more environmentally friendly, efficient, and less expensive than conventional ones. They can be used to power floating structures, but they can also be used as backups for cities located in places prone to natural disasters and evaporation. They will soon become a major way of generating electricity in our oceans, but environmental issues have been raised about deploying such solutions.
