With so much of the Earth covered by water, it makes sense to utilise this sprawling canvas for the production of solar electricity.
Early this year we reported on Israel-based Solaris Synergy’s Floating Concentrating Photovoltaic (F-CPV) system. In March, we covered a story on an Australian solar power company constructing a floating solar farm in India and more recently, the “Floatovoltaics” concept by SPG solar.
A couple of weeks ago, New Jersey American Water announced the completion of a floating solar array on a reservoir near its Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn - the first solar array on the USA’s east coast designed to withstand a freeze/thaw environment says the company.
According to the utility, the 538 solar modules will generate 135,000 kilowatt hours per year - approximately two percent of the water treatment plant’s power. Through the system, New Jersey American Water expects to save approximately $16,000 per year in energy costs.
The decision to construct a floating solar array was based on the challenge that much of the land surrounding the reservoir is protected.
Senior project manager at New Jersey American Water, Bob Biehler, says the anchored array utilises a unique mooring system; allowing it to rise and fall with the water level of the reservoir.
“The solar panels are fixed at a 14-degree angle and specially made to endure the severe weather conditions - such as heavy wind, rain, snow, and ice - that are not uncommon during northern New Jersey winters,” said Mr Biehler.
Floating solar farms present many opportunities, but most floating arrays constructed to date have been confined to relatively calm inland waters. An offshore environment provides additional challenges, but also benefits - large-scale solar power can be coupled with wave energy based electricity generation.
Marine Solar Cells (MSC) developed by Phil Pauley are a hybrid solar and wave energy generator that Mr. Pauley says can capture more energy per square metre and could be largely constructed from recycled materials.
