Which bodies of water are suitable for installing a floating solar power plant ?

Thanks to its experience, our team is able to tailor each floating solar project to the specific characteristics of the site in question. Whether it concerns the choice of mooring system, the technology used or the sizing of the plant, each installation is subject to a technical study carried out by our engineers and project managers to ensure a high-performance, sustainable solution that is adapted to the constraints of the water body. 

Irrigation ponds: an ideal solution for the agricultural sector  

Irrigation ponds are now one of the most common applications for floating solar panels. Widely found across the globe to meet the needs of the agricultural sector, these artificial reservoirs are often underutilised beyond their water storage function, making them ideal sites for floating solar power plants.  

Advantages

One of the advantages of this type of water body is, first and foremost, the dual use of the site: the pond generates electricity whilst retaining its primary function of storing water for crop irrigation. As these ponds are generally privately owned and rarely used for other activities, there is no conflict of use.    

The reduction in water evaporation thanks to the surface area covered by the panels is also a positive factor, thereby reducing losses due to exposure to the sun. This helps to conserve resources that are particularly precious in geographically hot areas.  

The electricity generated by the plant can also power agricultural facilities or the reservoir’s pumping systems.  

Challenges

Quarry lakes do, however, present certain technical constraints. Their considerable depth can complicate the design of anchoring systems and installation processes. Furthermore, large bodies of water are more exposed to weather conditions, particularly wind, which may require the structure and its anchoring to be adapted. Finally, the quality and configuration of the banks can vary from one site to another, sometimes requiring additional development work to ensure the project’s feasibility.  

Bathymetric surveys are therefore essential for determining the most suitable anchoring system for the site, one that will ensure the plant’s long-term operational reliability. 

Industrial and water retention basins  

Industrial sites often have basins or reservoirs used for cooling, storage or water treatment. Floating solar panels therefore enable electricity to be generated directly alongside these energy-intensive facilities.  

Advantages

Installing a floating solar power plant on these industrial reservoirs offers a major initial advantage: the possibility of self-consumption of the electricity generated to meet the industrial site’s energy needs. As with all other types of sites, optimising land use is also one of the main economic benefits. Finally, electrical connection is straightforward in the majority of cases.  

Challenges

This type of body of water may be subject to certain regulatory constraints. Indeed, some sites have specific safety requirements. Finally, the water quality can sometimes be quite corrosive to equipment (e.g. specific chemical environments). It is therefore necessary to carry out a preliminary analysis of the water’s composition in order to determine the materials to be used for the plant, thereby preventing them from deteriorating. 

Floating solar panels for fish farming and aquaculture  

Floating solar panels can also be installed on aquaculture or fish farming ponds, offering significant benefits for fish farms. One of our project, Taixi, is installed on a fish farming. 

Advantages

The use of floating solar panels in fish farming offers several advantages. Firstly, the shade created by the panels helps to limit water heating, which can improve certain rearing conditions depending on the species. Secondly, the electricity generated locally can also power the equipment needed to run the site, such as aeration or pumping systems. Finally, this technology allows for the optimisation of existing areas without requiring additional land.  

Challenges

However, certain points require careful consideration. Firstly, the project’s biological compatibility is essential, as not all species react in the same way to reduced sunlight. It is therefore vital to carry out environmental studies to assess the solar power plant’s impact on fish ponds. This will help determine the project’s feasibility and adapt the design and scale based on the results.  

Furthermore, installations must be designed in such a way as to ensure permanent access to the ponds and not to hinder operational and maintenance activities. Consultation with the fish farm teams and a clear understanding of the operational requirements associated with the activity are therefore essential and are taken into account from the very first phase of project development.  

In conclusion… floating solar is versatile!  

Floating solar can therefore be adapted to a wide variety of water bodies, each with its own technical, environmental and operational characteristics. In this article, we have outlined the main types of sites where this technology is currently being deployed.  

Thanks to the experience gained in the field and the expertise of our teams, we are now able to adapt our solutions to a wide variety of water bodies: hydroelectric dams, irrigation, retention or water treatment basins, quarry lakes, fish farms and even drinking water reservoirs. Each project is assessed on a case-by-case basis to design a floating solar power plant that is perfectly suited to the site’s technical constraints and specific requirements.