Tender launched for utility-scale floating PV in Brazil
The state of São Paulo’s energy supplier is seeking proposals for four floating solar projects, ranging in size from 1 MW to 30 MW.
Floating solar nearing price parity with land-based US solar
Four years ago, there were just two floating solar arrays in the United States. But by the end of this year, there will be more than 20.
Floating PV paired with hydroelectric dams to cover peak load
A research team from Pakistan has modeled the addition of a floating PV array to an existing dam project to increase the availability of power during peak load hours.
Chile connects first floating PV plant to grid under net billing scheme
Developer Solarity has completed the first floating PV array to be connected to the national distribution network under Chile’s net billing scheme. The plant will supply 100% of project owner Hortifrut’s energy needs, while allowing it to sell excess power to the grid.
Mounting structures for floating PV from Spain
Spanish engineer Isigenere has developed floating PV mounting structures based on virgin high-density polyethylene and says the manufacturing process, which features plastic injection, can produce around 1 MW of the product every five days.
Active cooling for PV modules in floating arrays
Saudi Arabian and Pakistani scientists have created a serpentine cooling block structure to improve the efficiency of PV panels in floating solar projects by around 1.5%. The cooling block can be filled via a low-cost, 15.6 W commercial 12 V DC water pump with cool water.
Belgium’s first floating PV project comes online
The plant was installed by developer Floating PV NV on five hectares of a lake created by sand extraction and owned by sand and minerals company Sibelco in Dessel, Antwerp province.
Floating PV to offset underperforming hydropower
Brazil now has 12 GW of underperforming hydropower capacity, according to U.S. researchers. Large-scale floating PV is an ideal solution to offset this shortfall, due to its high capacity factor, load correlation, and high potential output during periods of high demand.
Floating PV powering sieving machines, suction excavators at German quarry
Rheinland Solar has built a 750 kW floating solar plant to power several sieving machines and suction excavators at a quarry in Germany. On weekends, the excess electricity is sold to the grid at market prices.
Test bench compares floating PV with onshore solar arrays
Moroccan researchers have set up a new floating PV test bench. They claim floating solar arrays offer better power yields than rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems, with lower module operating temperatures.
