Jan Willem Dik (managing director) on a floating solar park
When I first saw this innovation from the German company Sinn Power—solar panels sticking upright out of the water—I thought, “Well thought out, a disadvantage turned into an advantage, interesting!” These double-sided panels take up less space and benefit from the reflection and cooling effects of the water, which provide additional yield. Additionally, they are less affected by bird droppings, a common cause of efficiency loss in flat panels.
Double peaking
The idea originated from German regulations allowing a maximum of 15% water surface coverage. In August, Sinn Power plans to start constructing 1.8 megawatts of floating solar panels on a gravel pit near Munich. The company has previously developed vertical solar panels on land, including as alternative fences, in combination with agriculture or mounted on facades.
Interestingly, the upright, two-sided panels, when facing east and west, offer a different generation profile compared to traditionally inclined solar panels. Instead of a single big peak in the afternoon, the upright panels deliver peak output twice a day. While these peaks are smaller in absolute terms, they align better with daily electricity demand peaks in the morning and evening.
Heavy construction
Despite the innovation, I’m still not entirely enthusiastic. Firstly, I find these large objects in the water to be quite unattractive. To withstand wind and waves, the floats’ construction must be very strong and non-corrosive, requiring a lot of extra material, undoubtedly making it more expensive. Additionally, the heavy construction is unnecessarily large compared to land-based panels.
Furthermore, I question the impact of covering the water’s surface. Has there been any research on its effects on waterfowl and marine life?
Lack of space?
The primary reason for having solar panels on water is the lack of space. However, according to a scan conducted by the Dutch Governmental organization RVO, about 50% of the roofs and parking lot surface area in the Netherlands is available for placing panels generating solar energy, which amounts to 725 km2. Of this, 58 km2 (8%) is directly suitable for panels’ installation. Solar panels can be placed on 348 km2 (48% of the surface area) if obstacles like fixing grid congestion or structural roof adjustments are solved. This presents a significant and easily mined potential.
In conclusion, while the concept of solar parks on water is ingeniously conceived, I question their necessity and added value. Why opt for a difficult solution when an easier one is available?
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