Summary Reader Response Draft 3

Ash’s article “Floating Solar Panel” (2022) educates the readers about the pieces of equipment, features, and functions of a floating solar panel system. “Floating solar panels are PV modules mounted on platforms that float on water reservoirs, lakes, and where conditions are right seas and oceans” (Ash, 2022). Photovoltaics or floating photovoltaics are the alternate names for floating solar. It describes any solar array that floats above the water. Solar panels are attached to buoyant constructions, which keeps them floating on the water's surface. Floating solar integrates maritime and renewable energy technology. The PV cells of a solar panel absorb energy from the sunlight as the sun shines on it. Through underwater wires, these floating solar panels transmit electricity to a transmission tower. The solar panel system is made up of a solar module, anti-rust material, vertical and horizontal frames, a buoyancy body, an inspection footrest, and module mount assembly. The solar module has excellent water resistance, is lead-free, dustproof, and has humidity resistance (solarsquare, 2022). Polyethylene, which can support 2.5 times the weight, is used to make the buoyancy (Ash, 2022). The extremely corrosion-resistant magnesium alloy coating is used to create the floating structure.

 

With the design of floating solar panel, being lead-free, dustproof, having water resistance, humidity resistance, and being able to float on water bodies, I believe that it will be a better option compared to terrestrial solar panels. It is more efficient, does not use any land space, and benefits the environment. In my opinion, using solar panels with the most efficiency is important because most of our electricity is outsourced from other countries. From my perspective, installing solar panels on our reservoirs and seas is a better option compared to our limited land space because lands are scarce in Singapore as it is a small country. I believe that the environmental benefits of floating solar panels will contribute to Singapore’s national sustainability movement.

 

The floating solar modules are designed to be lead-free, dustproof, having water and humidity resistance. Thus, enabling them to utilize the cooling impact of water bodies which lets floating solar panels be up to 15 percent more efficient compared to your traditional terrestrial solar panels (Wu, 2022). Solar panels perform better when kept cool like any other electrical system or device. At present, most solar panels have an efficiency of between 15 percent to 20 percent, which refers to the percentage of solar energy that can be transformed into electricity. When a solar panel that can operate at a 20 percent efficiency gets between 45 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius in temperature, its efficiency falls to between 18 percent and 18.8 percent or between 17 percent and 18.2 percent respectively. After realizing that traditional terrestrial solar panels are not performing at their fullest capacity, scientists have developed the concept of utilizing water as a cooling system. The purpose is to keep the temperature of solar panels low, reducing the loss of energy due to high temperatures.

 

Furthermore, “the buoyancy is made from polyethylene that can hold 2.5 times the weight” (Ash, 2022). Thus, enabling the floating solar panels to be supported above the water’s surface and be installed in a variety of water bodies, including reservoirs, lakes, and seas. For example, “Sunseap Group has installed a floating solar farm that consists of 13,312 panels, 40 inverters, and more than 30,000 floats” (Chong, 2021). Floating solar farms do not take up any valuable land. Hence, building a floating solar farm is a better option compared to a terrestrial solar farm in Singapore. With the limited land in Singapore, the success of a floating solar panel farm might pave way for more initiatives of this nature to harness solar energy.

 

Additionally, compared to terrestrial solar panels, the design of the floating structure allows the solar panels to float on water bodies. The solar panels that float on top of water bodies covers them which will benefit the environment because the shade that they provide will lessen these water bodies’ evaporation, which is important in regions that are vulnerable to droughts (Ash, 2022). On top of that, floating solar panels rises the quality of the water in a reservoir or other water bodies. With less sunlight penetrating the water, it would slow down the photosynthetic process in algae (Widyan et al., 2021). When algae blooms emerge in sources of drinking water, they can have harmful effects on our bodies. They may also result in the demise of aquatic plants and animals.

 

However, a major concern regarding floating solar panels is that the installation might be more expensive compared to traditional solar panels installation (Ash, 2022). It Is more expensive because the technology is still relatively new. Thus, specialized installation skills and solar power equipment are needed. However, it is anticipated that prices will decrease as the technology improves and it is more commonly used worldwide.

 

In conclusion, floating solar panels are more efficient in terms of energy conversion because of the cooling effect of the water. Floating solar panels utilize water bodies that do not require any land space, which is beneficial for land-scarce countries like Singapore. Floating solar panels are more environmentally friendly as the shading they provide will lessen the water bodies’ evaporations and reduces algae blooms. One issue regarding floating solar is that it is more expensive because the technology is relatively new, thus requiring well-trained personnel to install the system. However, it is anticipated that prices will decrease as technology advances, and it is more commonly used worldwide.

 

References

Ash, A (2022). Floating Solar Panels. Dynamic SLR. https://www.dynamicslr.com/floating-solar-panels/

solarsquare (2022, July 6). HOW DO FLOATING SOLAR PANELS WORK- THEIR PROS, CONS, EFFICIENCY, AND COST. solarsquare.

https://www.solarsquare.in/blog/floating-solar-panels/#:~:text=These%20solar%20panels%20are%20made,structure%20highly%20resistant%20to%20corrosion.

Wu, T. L. (2022, June 15). Could Floating Solar Panels Be the New Norm? Earth.Org. https://earth.org/floating-solar-panels/#:~:text=Floating%20solar%20can%20be%20up,more%20efficiently%20when%20kept%20cold.

Chong, C. (2021, March 24). Singapore is now home to one of the world's largest floating solar farms. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-now-home-to-one-of-the-worlds-largest-floating-solar-farms

Widyan, M. I. A., Khasawneh. M., Dalo. M. A. (2021, December). Potential of Floating Photovoltaic Technology and Their Effects on Energy Output, Water Quality and Supply in Jordan. Research Gate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357030134_Potential_of_Floating_Photovoltaic_Technology_and_Their_Effects_on_Energy_Output_Water_Quality_and_Supply_in_Jordan