How floating solar plants are redefining clean energy

Floating marine solar plants are a groundbreaking development in the field of clean energy.

In China's Yellow Sea, despite facing waves as high as 10 meters, two circular boats equipped with solar panels have successfully started generating electricity.

This trial, conducted by State Power Investment (SPIC) and Ocean Sun, represents a significant step forward in marine solar technology.

It opens up the possibility of utilizing offshore sites for renewable energy generation, particularly in areas with limited land availability.

While there are still challenges to overcome, such as increased costs and the impact of corrosive salts and damaging winds, developers are increasingly optimistic about the potential of marine solar power as a significant source of renewable energy.

Shandong Province, located in southern Beijing and known for its industrial prowess, has outlined its ambitious goal of installing an extra 11 gigawatts of offshore solar capacity by 2025. This would eventually lead to the establishment of an impressive 42 gigawatts, surpassing Norway's existing generation capacity.

In a similar vein, Jiangsu province, which shares a border with Shandong, has set its sights on increasing its own capacity by 12. 7 gigawatts.

Additionally, provinces such as Fujian and Tianjin are currently contemplating their own bids to enhance their solar energy capabilities.

Notably, countries including Japan, the Netherlands, and Malaysia are also actively involved in conducting experiments or making preparations for pilot projects in this field.

Despite the anticipation that solar energy investments will surpass spending on oil production this year, numerous regions are encountering challenges in locating suitable land for the installation of extensive solar energy panel arrays.

These difficulties arise from either a scarcity of available spaces, unsuitable terrain for installation, or the necessity to clear sections of forested areas.