Floating solar
Laketricity combines solar energy with water conservation
Discover floating solar
Floating solar power is based on the same electrical principles as ground-mounted and rooftop power plants. What sets it apart is its removeable floating structure, which means it can be installed in unused spaces to deploy large capacities on all types of water.
This is one of the least impacting applications of photovoltaics, since it relies on the use of spaces already in use or exploited for another activity. In fact, this technology meets the growing need to produce clean energy and represents a sustainable solution to land scarcity, the preservation of precious land, deforestation and conflicts of use with existing activities.
Today, the potential for floating solar power worldwide is estimated at over 4TW (source : DNV Institute study published in 2021). Offering a wide variety of applications, the development possibilities and compatibilities are vast.
Where to install floating solar power?
Irrigation & Winery
Quarry and mining lake
Hydroelectric dam
Aquaculture & Fish farming
Retention pond & Drinking water reservoir
Water treatment pond & Industrial site
Floating solar power means producing renewable energy without use conflicts
- Solar power is an endless source of energy.
- A wide range of applications: A large number of activities are compatible with floating solar power: agricultural, industrial, hydroelectric, mining, recreational, etc.
- Combinations of solar technologies: a floating solar project can also be combined with another energy-producing solar installation, such as energy storage systems, agrivoltaics, rooftop solar, ground-mounted solar, etc. Depending on the configuration of your site, our teams can design projects with multiple solar energy sources.
- Limit evaporation: preserve your water resources with a floating solar power plant that acts as a barrier to limit evaporation.
- Compatible with drinking water ponds: the technologies we use at Laketricity meet the most stringent standards applicable to water intended for human consumption.
- An integrated solution: floating solar power can have a positive impact on biodiversity. For example, it can limit algae growth. It is also a way of financing the development of measures to promote biodiversity on the sites entrusted to us.
- Passive income generator for property owners: as the owner, you have nothing to do and nothing to pay out: we take care of everything.
- Floating solar power is a good neighbor: during operation, it generates no noise and is visually unobtrusive. At Laketricity, we co-construct our floating solar projects by including all stakeholders, local authorities and residents, so as to take local needs into account.
- A source of green electricity for electro-intensive users: installing a floating solar power plant on an industrial or water treatment pond represents a real economic advantage for your business or region. Thanks to our self-consumption solutions, you can significantly reduce your electricity bills.
- The 3rd pillar of solar energy: floating photovoltaic systems can produce green energy on a large scale, helping to diversify the energy mix and replace fossil fuels.
Laketricity, at your project’s service for advanced, tailored solar solutions
In addition to developing your floating solar project, we can integrate other solar power generation solutions to meet your needs and objectives.
Floating solar power plants well integrated into their environment
At Laketricity, we strive to ensure that our floating solar power plants are well integrated into their environment. To achieve this, we imagine and design tailor-made solutions and systems to cover needs linked to the preservation of biodiversity, or to the social or economic activity of your site.
We mobilize all the expertise needed to build an intelligent floating solar project, working with highly qualified design offices to cover environmental, landscape, tourism and flood risk issues.
Our environmental integration approach
Encouraging aquatic biodiversity development
We respect the natural environment of the water bodies on which we develop our floating solar projects. For instance, we facilitate the growth of aquatic biodiversity on the site by installing vegetated islands. These islands allow aquatic vegetation to develop spontaneously, creating new habitats for aquatic fauna. Fish, in particular, thrive in these areas: spawning grounds, resting places, breeding grounds, nurseries, etc.
Protecting terrestrial biodiversity
We also contribute to preserving terrestrial biodiversity through various actions, depending on the site’s needs and possibilities. For example, we can set up an embankment revegetation program to help create nesting areas for birds. Certain areas of the site can be left completely free to respect the avifauna living there. We can also install insect hotels and beehives close to the water body to encourage pollination, as well as hedgerows.
Integrating the power plant into the landscape
At Laketricity, we make every effort to integrate the electrical equipment of our floating photovoltaic projects into the existing landscape. For example, we can install wooden cladding over the transformer cabinet on the embankment slope. We can also install vegetated islands on the water to conceal the floating solar power plant from the shore, as well as encouraging pollination and bird nesting.
Developing additional facilities according to site use
Depending on the existing operations on-site, we can consider additional solutions when developing a floating solar power plant project. For example, we can install an energy storage system: energy is stored via a system that optimizes electricity consumption during peak demand periods. We can also install hydrogen stations or charging stations for electric vehicles, depending on your needs.
A location and anchoring that respect the site and are adapted to its specific features
Right from the preliminary development phases, we carry out the environmental studies required for the successful development of the project. We also ensure that the plant is sized to meet the specific requirements and challenges identified for your site.
Indeed, our engineering teams design tailor-made layouts for the photovoltaic power plant and its anchoring. This enables us to guarantee optimized energy production, while respecting the environment and ensuring the plant’s long-term safety.
To develop our floating solar projects, we take a local approach
The stages of a project
- Project development
- Floating solar power plant financing
- Construction phase
- Operation of the floating solar power plant
- Dismantling and end-of-life of the plant
Our floating solar projects
Yukimine Kami Ike | 1568 kWp
Irrigation pond
Sobradinho | 1005 kWp
Hydroelectric dam
Windsor, California | 1785 kWp
Water treatment pond
Magase ike | 2662 kWp
Irrigation pond
Sugu #2 | 1132 kWp
Water retention pond
Taixi Fishery PV #2 | 1024 kWp
Fish farm
Piolenc | 17015 kWp
Quarry & mining lake
Kayama | 2604 kWp
Irrigation pond
Ichinomiya Ike | 2242 kWp
Irrigation pond
Saiko Ike | 1860 kWp
Irrigation pond
Jiali | 1251 kWp
Irrigation pond
Tano Ike | 2552 kWp
Irrigation pond
Taixi Fishery PV #1 | 1564 kWp
Fish farm
Hikita Ike | 2204 kWp
Irrigation pond
Santa Lucia | 53 kWp
Water treatment pond
Hanaoka Ike | 2289 kWp
Irrigation pond
Sugu #1 | 4021 kWp
Water retention pond
Watashi Ike | 2170 kWp
Irrigation pondIf you have a question about floating solar power, we have the answer:
What happens when the water level goes down?
The floating photovoltaic power plant and its anchoring are designed to accommodate water level variations. Due to the flexibility of the mooring lines, the floating photovoltaic panel moves on the surface according to the extent of the water level variation.
Which information is required for anchoring design?
Anchoring design is performed at an advanced stage of the project when the final design of the floating array is approved. The essential data to complete an anchoring design are:
- Banks topography,
- Bathymetry (mapping of water body bottom relief and depths),
- Water level variation (over the lifetime of the plant),
- Water flow data and wind speed at the site are calculated from each country national building code.
What is the efficiency of photovoltaic panels installed in a bi-facial configuration?
Bifacial photovoltaic panels benefit from a better waterproofing and are therefore perfectly compatible with floating solar projects. Electricity production is increased thanks to the backside of the panels, even if limited because the light reflection (albedo) is about 8%. Moreover, the cost difference with mono-facial panels is small.