The solar farm that floats
This new tech generates power in remote areas and tackles water scarcity at the same time.
Large-scale floating solar panels are coming to Australian lakes, reservoirs and dams.
A collaboration between renewable energy firm Canopy Power Australia and Norwegian floating solar developer Ocean Sun was announced earlier this month with plans to roll out solutions locally.
While still in its early days, floating solar has been gaining traction in the Asia-Pacific region where land can be scarce. Often built on hydropower reservoirs and dams, its adoption has been helped by improvements in solar, grid and storage technology.
Floating solar has also found traction on remote islands, most recently in the Maldives where it has the potential to slash diesel use and reduce carbon emissions at island resorts.
Canopy Power Australia will oversee the deployment of the floating solar systems in Australia and integrate them with other renewable technologies such as battery storage and wind energy where needed.
"We believe that the strategic partnership between Ocean Sun and Canopy Power will enable us to introduce a unique and highly relevant solution to the Australian market, accelerating the energy transition and addressing key challenges."
The floating solar technology from Ocean Sun comprises circular floating solar arrays that can be scaled to suit different sites. Each 70-metre-wide floater hosts high-efficiency panels capable of producing 700 kilowatts of power, while also capturing rainwater and reducing evaporation from the water below.
Companies and communities near water bodies such as utilities and farms could benefit most from this cost-effective and sustainable solution, the companies said.
Canopy Power Australia managing director Mahasti Motazedi said the partnership aimed to help Australia achieve its sustainability goals.
"We believe that the strategic partnership between Ocean Sun and Canopy Power will enable us to introduce a unique and highly relevant solution to the Australian market, accelerating the energy transition and addressing key challenges.”
Water challenge
The floating solar systems are designed to tackle some of Australia’s most pressing environmental challenges, including land and water scarcity.
By shifting solar farms onto water, the technology avoids competition for valuable land, freeing up space for agriculture and other essential uses. At the same time, the membrane covering the water reduces evaporation, a crucial benefit in drought-prone areas, while also helping to curb algae blooms that can harm water quality.
The companies say the technology is particularly suited to regions where land is at a premium or water conservation is a priority, with Australia’s vast network of dams and reservoirs presenting a major opportunity for expansion.
Floating solar systems are mounted directly onto membranes that sit on the surface of lakes, reservoirs or dams. Ocean Sun’s panel design has a flexible, hydro-elastic membrane. Each one is a 70-metre-wide structure with high-efficiency panels that are able to produce 700 kilowatts of power. The panels generate electricity while also covering the water to reduce evaporation and integrated pumps can also harvest rainwater.
