Should We Put Solar Panels on Water?

Explore the frontier of renewable energy with floating solar farms, an innovative concept following the success of offshore wind farms. Companies like Ocean Sun and HelioRec are pioneering this field, developing solar panels reinforced with platforms that float on water. Inspired by nature, Ocean Sun’s design mimics giant water lilies, with the system able to withstand wind speeds up to 300 km/h and produce 6.6 kWh. HelioRec’s 25 kW system has even proven its resilience through two storms. The benefits of floating solar farms are significant, including freeing up land space for alternative use, enhancing solar panel efficiency through water cooling, and preventing evaporation in water reservoirs. However, transitioning from freshwater to the challenging ocean environment presents unique challenges. Saltwater’s corrosive nature poses a threat to solar panels, and the structural integrity of floating systems is tested by high winds and waves, particularly during storms. Environmental consider