A state-owned energy company in China found a novel way to circumvent a land-space shortage by installing offshore solar panels. Putting the terms “offshore” and “solar panels” together may sound strange, but CHN Energy has already started connecting its 1 GW project to the grid, marking solid progress on what it describes as the “world’s largest open-sea solar array.” When the installation is operating at full capacity, it’s estimated that the sea-solar project will supply power to 2.67 million urban dwellers.

First-of-its-kind 1 GW open-sea offshore project goes online

The Guohua Energy Investment Co. Ltd., which is a subsidiary of the China National Energy Group Corporation (CHN Energy), has just connected its first array of photovoltaic (PV) units to the grid from its sea-solar installation five miles off the coast of Dongying in the Shandong province of China.

The total output will eventually be 1 GW gathered across 1,223 hectares of ocean surface space, with more than two-and-a-half million citizens expected to be serviced with electricity from the system. The installation incorporates 2,034 PV platforms on a robust frame of large-scale trusses fixed to the ocean floor with pile foundations. Each platform is 115 feet wide is 196 feet long.

A Taiwanese project holds the record, but not for long

Currently, the world’s largest completed and functioning offshore floating solar array is a 440 MW project in Taiwan owned by Taipower and Cypress Creek Renewables that went into operation not that long ago, but when the CHN project is operating at full capacity, it will overtake the Taiwanese effort by some margin.

CHN Energy has been busy

In a novel move, CHN Energy has combined its open-sea PV array development model with a fish farm, using much of the same infrastructure to support the farming operations. Some of the power generated is also used to support the farming functions.

Not long ago, CHN’s other project, the 3 MW Mengxi Lanhai solar power installation, also went live and was connected to the electricity grid. This project is currently the second-largest solar project in both the country and the world, a fact that CHN is extremely proud of.

JinkoSolar developed solar panels specially designed for open-sea conditions

The bifacial (two-sided) modules utilized for CHN Energy’s project were sourced from JinkoSolar, which supplied its n-Type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) Tiger Neo model for the innovative job. JinkoSolar threw its full confidence behind the product, explaining that the modules were specially tailored for the harsh and inclement weather conditions, waves, and saline sea spray experienced five miles out to sea.

To endure the marine conditions, JinkoSolar made the panels out of semi-tempered dual-glass, and they feature POE encapsulation to repel moisture and salt fog corrosion, endure under strong winds, and also withstand extremely high or low temperatures.

Benefits of solar energy in the context of the global green revolution

Solar power is a critical source of energy as the world looks for new ways to generate clean energy as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. The solar electricity sector has seen exponential growth in the last few decades with solar panels cropping up in most urban areas across the world. Here are the reasons why solar energy is one of the key players in the renewable power game:

• Sustainable and clean: Solar energy can’t be depleted and no by-products are emitted in the generation of solar electricity at all.
• Carbon footprint reduction: Solar energy replaces fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas, lowering carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Energy independence: Countries that can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels will see the benefits in stronger economies. Also, energy can be produced and supplied in remote areas that don’t have access to the urban grid.
• Job creation and economic growth: The installation, operation, maintenance, and development of solar power systems create a vast number of employment opportunities. Countries that manufacture and export solar equipment benefit from GDP revenue. Solar generation systems are becoming cheaper as cost-competitiveness comes into play.