| Hydro & solar
makes it possible to optimise their yield without using land with added value. This helps to preserve environmental resources while meeting local needs. Furthermore, floating solar also enables a cooling effect thanks to water proximity which improves the PV panel’s energy production capacity. Indeed, some studies have demonstrated that it has a positive impact. For example, The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore has recorded the PV panels temperature from 3.2° to 14.5° degrees lower than solar systems on roofs installed in Singapore with an increase of the yield from 5 to 10%. Globally, the electric energy produced by floating
solar has a bright future with a potential market that keeps growing. According to the estimation of the energy expert, quality and risk management DNV in 2022, the potential of floating solar is estimated at 4TW and is a fast-growing market with a other possible applications for installation including quarries and mining lakes, water treatment plants, irrigation ponds, industrial or commercial reservoirs.
Improving technology To address any environmental impacts of floating
structures and so as not to impact biodiversity, preliminary environmental impact studies are carried out prior to the installation of a power plant on water. Depending on the results, Ciel & Terre takes the decision to cover only a certain percentage of the lake or to keep safe areas for fauna and flora. Studies and research about the impact of floating
solar plants on water quality have also been carried out. Experimental studies have highlighted how floating projects can impact the physical parameters of the water. Indeed if the coverage of a lake with the solar plant is too high there is an impact on the light intensity and water temperature. And in line with its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Ciel & Terre continues to pursue its efforts by offering fully
www.waterpowermagazine.com | July 2023 | 23
recyclable floats on its plants. The end of life of the power plants is a major stake and the company is currently working on its optimisation.
Different expertise Floating solar is technically quite different from
conventional solar power plants and the major issue comes with working with electricity on water. There are key parameters to take into account in the design of an FPV plant such as wind, current, bathymetry, waves, type of soil, water types, etc, all of which require a specific understanding of the sites themselves. Ciel & Terre’s scope begins at the preliminary design stage up to the completion of the project (including maintenance services). Its project teams will manage and support their clients through the site analysis and then design the most suitable floating solar plants based on the environmental loads and the production needs.
Above: One of the floating solar projects managed by Ciel & Terre on a Hydroelectric dam in Portugal, Alto Rabagao 218kWp
Below: The latest French project installed by Ciel & Terre on a quarry lake in 2022, Montpezat 3.2MWp
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