Floating solar farms, where photovoltaic (PV) panels float atop bodies of water like reservoirs or man-made lakes instead of taking up valuable land space, are revolutionizing global energy production. These innovative systems not only harness sunlight effectively but also offer practical solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing energy providers today.

From Japan's impressive array of floating solar installations to new ventures in countries like Thailand and Chile, this technology is proving its worth across diverse landscapes. Let’s explore some standout examples from around the globe.

Japan Leads the Way with Over Half of the World's Largest Floating Solar Plants

Japan boasts an incredible 73 out of the top 100 largest floating solar plants worldwide. Their flagship project, located at the Yamakura Dam, covers 18 hectares and powers approximately 5,000 households annually while reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 8,000 tons per year. Nearly half of these facilities are concentrated in Hyogo Prefecture, renowned for its abundance of artificial lakes—over 40,000 in total. It’s no surprise then that Japan pioneered this concept back in 1997 when they constructed the world’s very first floating solar farm in Aichi Prefecture. Since then, their leadership has grown significantly; between 2014 and 2018 alone, output from floating solar installations surged 100 times! By utilizing existing water surfaces rather than prime agricultural or residential lands, especially scarce resources in much of Asia, this approach helps preserve vital real estate for food cultivation and housing needs.

Thailand Plans Expansion Through Hydroelectric Integration

In February 2019, Siam Cement Group (SCG), one of Southeast Asia's largest construction material manufacturers, announced plans to collaborate with the Thai government on installing floating solar modules at eight major hydroelectric dams nationwide. Currently, renewables account for 12% of Thailand’s energy requirements, but officials aim to increase this figure to 37% by 2036, with 6% specifically sourced from floating solar technologies. Given that Thailand already benefits from extensive hydropower infrastructure, combining traditional hydroelectric generation with floating PV systems makes perfect sense. As Jordan Macknick, an expert at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, noted, "Hydropower and floating solar complement each other beautifully since grid connections are already established." This strategy positions Thailand well within the broader push toward expanding global floating solar capacity beyond the current 1.1 gigawatts (GW), primarily driven by nations like China, Japan, India, and South Korea who currently hold 450 megawatts (MW).

Chile Mines Solar Innovation

Anglo American, a global mining giant headquartered in London, recently finished deploying 256 floating panels at Los Bronces copper mine near Santiago, Chile. Covering an artificial lake adjacent to the facility, this initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency while providing competitive advantages amidst fierce competition within Chile’s booming copper industry—the world’s top producer. With a total capacity reaching 86 kilowatts (kW), these panels represent just the beginning of what could soon extend throughout Chile’s mining sector. Mining Minister Baldo Prokurica expressed optimism regarding this development during an interview with Reuters, stating, "I hope this model spreads to other mines nationwide—it’s an excellent way to generate clean energy while optimizing water usage too."

Lithuania Prepares for Greener Horizons

Just last month, Lithuania approved permits allowing construction of Europe’s first-ever floating solar station at Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant near Kaunas. Part of Lietuvos Energija’s ambitious roadmap towards sustainability underpinning Lithuania’s transition to cleaner energy sources by 2030, this pilot project involves collaboration between two key entities—Lietuvos Energija itself along with the Lithuanian Business Support Agency (LSBA). Expected completion phases begin rolling out early next decade. According to Darius Maikštėnas, Chairman and CEO of Lietuvos Energija, “This floating solar installation represents one among several forward-thinking concepts capable of propelling Lithuania into becoming a global leader in sustainable energy solutions.”

China Breaks Records Again

March 2019 marked another milestone for China Energy Conservation & Environmental Protection Group (CECEP) as they successfully completed the planet’s largest floating solar park spanning 140 hectares with a massive 70 MW capacity. Constructed using prefabricated floating platforms supplied by French firm Ciel & Terre International, this particular site occupies a former coal-mining region in Anhui Province. Following trends favoring repurposing degraded areas over undeveloped lands, similar projects continue gaining traction globally. However, CECEP isn't resting on laurels; concurrently, Three Gorges New Energy Corporation is nearing completion of an even larger 150 MW facility set for Panji District in Huainan City—projected to become the largest operational system upon full activation later this year.

UK’s Contribution to Clean Energy Frontiers

Although surpassed internationally since its debut in 2016, Britain remains proud of having once hosted the world’s largest floating solar array on Queen Elizabeth II Reservoir owned by Thames Water Limited in Walton-on-Thames. Comprising more than 23,000 individual cells generating 6.3 MW sufficient enough to supply electricity to roughly 1,800 homes, this landmark achievement served as proof positive of British ingenuity in renewable energies. Speaking shortly after unveiling, Angus Berry, Thames Water’s energy manager remarked, “We were pioneers here, but hopefully others will follow suit both domestically and internationally.” Although now ranked eighth globally due to newer entrants emerging elsewhere, this pioneering effort continues inspiring countless others worldwide towards embracing solar innovations.

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