FLOATING SOLAR PANELS: A VIABLE SOLUTION?

Since 2011, French Company Ciel & Terre has been developing large-scale floating solar solutions. Their innovative Hydrelio Floating PV system allows standard PV panels to be installed on large bodies of water such as: drinking water reservoirs, quarry lakes, irrigation canals, remediation and tailing ponds, and hydro electric dam reservoirs. This simple and affordable alternative to ground-mounted systems is particularly suitable for water-intensive industries who cannot afford to waste either land or water.

How it works:

The main float is constructed of high-density thermoplastic (HDPE) and is set at a 12 degree angle to support a standard 60 Cell PV solar module. A secondary non-slip HDPE float is then used to link the main floats together and provide a platform for maintenance and added buoyancy as illustrated below.

According to Ciel & Terre, the system is easy to install and dismantle, can be adapted to any electrical configuration, is scalable from low to high power generation, and requires no tools or heavy equipment. It is also eco-friendly, fully recyclable, has low environmental impact and is cost effective. To date the system has been installed in the UK, and a Japanese system will be installed by March 2016.

Watch the video:

What do you think? Is this a viable solution? Leave your comments below…

• exdent11
  It would seem to be a good solution for reducing evaporation and without using valuable land.
  • Jimmy Hoffa
    i think the bucky balls are much cheaper for reducing evaporation and existing rooftops already provide all the installation space we could ever need.
• John Atkeison
  reducing evaporation seems to be a terrific idea. I’ll bet that there is a 72-cell version in the works.
• bpnjensen
  Absolutely. Here in Alameda County, California, USA, we have several quarry lakes that have/will become water storage reservoirs; these expanses could not only support solar panels, but could benefit from the cooling effect of the shade (algae inhibition) and the reduction of evaporation in direct sunlight. A big win all the way around.
• Pieter Siegers
  Why use floating panels? They require more maintenance than fixed land or rooftop panels. Doesn’t make much sense to me this idea.
  • Paul Listman
    how much does maintenance cost is the question you are asking. 1 dude doing something twice a year at 12 dollars/quid an hour. Id have my teenager clean those as a chore
  • Rod Walton
    Reducing evaporation can be another benefit. We have so much underutilized land and roof space in this country it is a crime not to make better use of it. It is pretty hard to beat the basic economics of pollutionless free fuel delivered right to the site where it is used or distributed.
    • Brad Wise
      Those panels are going to generate heat. That heat goes into the water. This causes additional evaporation. I don’t think you gain much.
• http://www.awgp.org Brijesh Verma
  Great idea. They are also doing this. http://sunengy.com/ . Very good for our country Bharat.
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexdouglasstock Rex Stock
  What is the cost versus ground mounted systems? I just asked to be contacted and I hope these people follow through. There is a floating system here in the U.S. built by a small company that was bought by SunEdison and I don’t want to deal with SunEdison or any big company that demands they own and operate.
• http://www.roughdesigns.com Russell Higgins AIA
  Very low angle dictated by support system (lowers wind load / uplift?)
  Will low angle increase snow / ice loads over land based installs, covering more of the panel decreasing output of the whole panel, low angle will decrease efficiency in Northern latitudes in and around winter.
  Wouldn’t a higher angle for max overall annual energy production, optimized for latitude, and rotating the system all day for max output (as floating system would require trivial energy to rotate, via motors from shore or lake bottom), provide best ROI.
• Kyle Kipfer
  Everyone should check out Sultana Solar as they are a startup in California breaking into the floating solar panel business.
• mdhome
  A most excellent idea!
• Maya
  How will this affect the ecosystems below?
• Murali B V
  Sir, can you give me the details of the company, please?
• Ernesto C Del Castillo
  How much per Watt? I’d like to showcase this Hydrelio Floating PV Farm in the Philippines – asap. Pls advise.
• http://ricardoteamor.pen.io Ricardo Teamor
  Wouldn’t that lead to water pollution, atmospheic pollution etc to some extent? Afterall there will be reactions with water. Also I think maintainence costs will be high compared to roof tops etc.

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THE WATERNEST: AN ECO-FRIENDLY FLOATING HOUSE

Designed by renowned Italian architect Giancarlo Zema and produced by EcoFloLife, the WaterNest 100 is an eco-friendly floating housing unit. The 100 square meter residential units are made of up to 98% recycled materials; including the laminate timber and aluminum hull. Skylights, balconies and large windows encircle the dwelling, allowing for efficient lighting and beautiful waterfront views. 60 sqm of photovoltaic panels embedded in the rooftop provide up to 4 kWp of internal electricity. A sophisticated system of natural micro-ventilation and air conditioning classifies it as a low-consumption residential habitat. Scroll down for more photos.

The units can be positioned along rivers, lakes, bays, atolls and calm sea areas. The interiors are warm and welcoming, and include a living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The 12m diameter circular layout can be configured as a house (1 to 4 people), office, lounge bar, restaurant , shop, or exhibition space. The EcoFloLife catalogue provides top-design eco-friendly furnishings that complement the design and meet most contemporary needs.

Photos:

Visit the EcoFloLife Website.

We definitely want to move our office into one of these! What would you do with your own WaterNest? Leave your comments below…

• BrianH
  How is the sewage dealt with?
  • DisqusSD
    I would suggest some sort of composting toilet and liquid waste to be pumped ashore to be dealt with appropriately.
  • Flip Waterman
    In Amsterdam houseboat sewage goes landward by pipe. If there’s no sewage system there, you build a sceptic tank. Works perfectly for centuries already.
• Dave
  The problem with wood as a building material is that moisture is it’s greatest enemy – a floating wood house seems like a bad idea for longevity. Something like composite, plastic or aluminum would be a much better choice.
  • JHG
    so wooden boats are a bad idea? …
    • DiDi
      lol
    • Flip Waterman
      The best houseboats have a concrete bottom; no maintenance.
  • Christelle Isaac
    You have the right idea for this but keep in mind that the base of the house is aluminum and there are measurements taken to protect wood from things such as humidity or rain, especially if the wood is being used for something as important as shelter.
• Isaac
  Floating house!! Well interesting but thanks!! Not for me!!
• Sheri M.
  Take my money!
• Flip Waterman
  So much nicer and more efficient than the houseboats I lived in..
• http://libertas.ws/ David Singhiser
  Okay, I want one.
• Pieter Siegers
  I’d live in it and fish from the balcony 🙂
• Asanka Gurusinghe
  It is great concept. I am really interested in knowing more about this unit. Pls advise how to get more info. on this.
• HelenMarKimball
  Price?
• Pedro Elescamoso
  its soooooooo beautiful !!!
• Jimmy Hoffa
  its sooooooooooo stupid on soooooooooo many levels.

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