A groundbreaking experiment taking place in the China Yellow Sea, about 30 kilometers off the coast of Shandong province to generate electricity from offshore solar farms, offers a potential breakthrough in the clean energy sector.

In this ambitious project, two circular rafts carrying neat rows of solar panels began generating electricity late last year. This endeavor, a collaboration between State Power Investment Corp., China’s largest renewable energy developer, and Norway-based developer Ocean Sun AS, opens up new possibilities for harnessing renewable energy in land-constrained regions and further accelerates the transition away from fossil fuels.

Offshore solar technology has been gaining attention as it offers several advantages over traditional land- based installations. The sea’s enormous expanse offers plenty of room for massive solar farms that are capable of producing big amounts of electricity. These installations can also minimize environmental effect and prevent problems with current land usage.

Small-scale systems were used in the majority of early solar-at-sea operations, and there are still many obstacles to be solved, such as increased costs and the effects of corrosive salts or strong winds. However, the experiment conducted in the China Yellow Sea demonstrated promising results. Despite waves reaching heights of up to 10 meters, the solar panels remained intact and continued generating electricity.

Industry experts say the success of this high-profile test brings hope for future offshore solar projects around the world. By utilising untapped areas at sea, countries can tap into a vast source of renewable energy while preserving valuable land resources for other purposes. Furthermore, integrating offshore solar farms with existing infrastructure could bring additional benefits. For instance, coastal cities could leverage these installations to power desalination plants or support other marine-related activities.

Original source Bloomberg

Offshore solar solutions

Universal Kraft works with floating solar installations, an innovative solution, especially for countries with lack of land. The cooling action of the water reduces thermal losses in floating solar systems, making them more efficient than ground systems in terms of production, even though their greater cost is somewhat offset by a lower installation cost. With its developed portfolio of over 230 MW and proven competence, Universal Kraft is a pioneer in the field of floating solar. We are working on projects in Asia and Europe right now.