It may not be a huge installation, but a 5kW solar panel system is the first grid-connected floating PV plant in Southeast Asia.
Installed in the Pond Gardens of Bishan Park in Singapore and connected to the mains grid in June, the pilot project will test the suitability of PV systems installed in freshwater scenarios. Multiple sensors will measure solar irradiation, temperature, humidity and general performance over a period of a year.
The floating PV installation is a collaboration between Phoenix Solar AG Pte Ltd and the Singapore National Parks Boards.
The 20 REC Peak Energy Series solar panels used in the installation were donated by REC. The panels are fixed at a 10 degree angle and placed on interlocking UV resistant floating structures.
The array is anchored to the lake bed at four points and electricity produced by the system is transported to the shore via marine-grade submersible cables.
Floating solar farms elsewhere have shown the cooling effects of water to improve the efficiency of solar panels and reduce evaporation of the water beneath. By lessening sunlight penetration, the growth of algae is also curtailed.
Floating PV may have benefits not only in countries such as Singapore where land is scarce, but also on farms in Australia to preserve prime agricultural land and the availability and quality of dam water supplies. Floating solar farms could also have applications in major catchments and hydropower dams; enhancing their electricity generation potential.
Other instances of “floatovoltaics” we’ve covered in the past include Ciel et Terre’s Hydrelio, The Synergy designed Floating Concentrating Photovoltaic (F-CPV) system, Australian company Sunengy Pty Limited constructing a floating solar farm in India, the “Floatovoltaics” concept by SPG solar and New Jersey American Water’s floating solar array.
