The concept of floating solar farms, where photovoltaic panels float atop bodies of water like reservoirs or man-made lakes instead of taking up valuable land, is rapidly gaining traction worldwide. These innovative setups are proving to be a game-changer in the global push toward cleaner energy solutions.

By installing solar panels on water surfaces, energy providers can overcome several challenges, including limited land availability and the need to preserve agricultural or residential areas. Projects in countries such as Japan, Thailand, Chile, Lithuania, China, and even the UK are catching our attention due to their groundbreaking approaches.

Japan Leads the Charge with 73 of the World’s Largest Floating Solar Plants

Japan dominates the floating solar industry, boasting 73 of the world’s top 100 installations. The largest among them, the Yamakura Dam project, spans 18 hectares and generates enough electricity to power nearly 5,000 households annually, while cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 8,000 tons per year. A significant portion—nearly half—of these installations are concentrated in Hyogo Prefecture, home to over 40,000 artificial lakes. Japan pioneered this technology, constructing the world's first floating solar farm in Aichi Prefecture back in 2014. Since then, it has claimed nearly half the capacity of the world’s 100 largest floating solar projects. From 2014 to 2018, output from floating solar plants surged 100-fold, turning water resources into valuable renewable energy assets while preserving land for agriculture and housing. This development is particularly crucial in regions where land is scarce, such as much of Asia.

Thailand Seeks to Harness Floating Solar Power at Hydroelectric Dams

In early 2019, Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG), one of Southeast Asia’s largest construction material firms, announced plans to build floating solar modules and supply panels for government-backed floating solar initiatives at eight hydroelectric dams. Currently, Thailand derives 12% of its energy needs from renewable sources, but the government aims to increase this figure to 37% by 2036, with 6% specifically coming from floating solar. Given the abundance of hydroelectric dams in the country, floating solar technology presents an ideal opportunity to boost renewable energy capacity. Thailand’s efforts align with global trends, as the current floating solar capacity stands at 1.1 gigawatts (GW), with China, Japan, India, and South Korea accounting for 450 megawatts (MW) alone. As Jordan Macknick, an energy-water-land analyst at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, noted, combining hydropower and floating solar makes perfect sense because existing grid infrastructure can be leveraged.

Chilean Mining Giant Invests in Solar Innovation

In March 2019, Anglo American, a major global mining corporation, finished installing 256 floating solar panels at Los Bronces, a copper mine near Santiago. This initiative aims to enhance mining efficiency and give the company a competitive edge in Chile, the world’s top copper producer. The 86-kilowatt (kW) system demonstrates how solar innovation can drive operational improvements while optimizing water usage. Chilean Mining Minister Baldo Prokurica expressed optimism about replicating this model across other mines, calling it “an excellent alternative for generating energy and making better use of water.”

Lithuania Takes Steps Toward Green Energy Leadership

Also in 2019, Lithuania approved a floating solar plant proposal for the 900 MW Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant, located southeast of Kaunas. Part of Lietuvos Energija’s (LE) ambitious 2030 sustainability strategy, this 60 kW pilot project is a collaboration between LE and the Lithuanian Business Support Agency (LSBA). Scheduled for completion by 2021, the project reflects Lithuania’s commitment to transitioning to greener energy solutions. According to LE Chairman Darius Maikštėnas, this initiative could position Lithuania as a global leader in renewable energy technologies.

China Breaks Records with the World’s Largest Floating Solar Farm

In March 2019, China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP) completed the world’s largest floating solar plant, covering 140 hectares with a 70 MW capacity. Built by French firm Ciel & Terre International, the facility repurposes a former coal mining site in Anhui Province, following the trend of utilizing underutilized or contaminated sites rather than prime agricultural land. Although CECEP’s achievement is impressive, it won’t hold the title for long. China’s Three Gorges New Energy is already working on a 150 MW floating solar plant in Panji District, Huainan City, set to become the world’s largest upon completion.

Did You Know the UK Boasts the Eighth Largest Floating Solar Plant?

Back in March 2016, the UK unveiled the world’s largest floating solar farm at the Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir in Walton on Thames, owned by Thames Water. Comprising over 23,000 panels with a 6.3 MW capacity (enough to power 1,800 homes), the project was briefly the largest of its kind globally. At the time, Angus Berry, Thames Water’s energy manager, remarked, “We’re leading the way, but we hope others will follow suit both here and abroad.” While the UK’s plant remains the eighth largest globally, larger facilities have since been constructed in China and Japan. Still, the project marked a significant milestone in the UK’s renewable energy journey.

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