Summary Reader Response Draft 4
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 (solarsquare, 2022). 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 (Ash, 2022).
With
the design of the floating solar panel, being lead-free, dustproof, water resistant,
humidity resistant, and able to float on water bodies, I believe that it will
be a better option compared to terrestrial solar panels because it is more energy
efficient, space efficient and environmentally friendly.
The
floating solar modules are designed to be lead-free, dustproof, having water
and humidity resistance. Hence, enables the floating solar panels to utilize the
cooling impact of water bodies allowing them to 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 (Wu, 2022). 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 (Wu, 2022). 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). Hence, allows 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 which do not take up any
valuable land (Chong, 2021). 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. Hence, building a floating solar farm is a better
option compared to a terrestrial solar farm in Singapore.
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 cover the water bodies which will benefit the environment
because the shade that they provide will lessen these their evaporation, which
is important in regions that are vulnerable to droughts (Ash, 2022). On top of
that, floating solar panels raises 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 than
terrestrial solar
panels 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. Energies, 14(24), 8417. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357030134_Potential_of_Floating_Photovoltaic_Technology_and_Their_Effects_on_Energy_Output_Water_Quality_and_Supply_in_Jordan
Thanks a million, Benjamin, for this revision and for all your effort uring this term. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteThanks prof!
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