PVTIME – As renewable energy demand intensifies, floating PV (FPV) technology represents an innovative approach to generating solar energy and have gained popularity globally. Situated on bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, and coastal areas, FPV installations reduce the need for large tracts of land. The cooling effect of water enhances the efficiency of floating solar systems, resulting in higher energy output than traditional ground-based systems. They also demonstrate environmental advantages by minimizing water evaporation, reducing algae growth, and maintaining cooler panel temperatures, leading to higher efficiencies. Globally, floating PV is projected to reach a capacity of 62 GW by 2030, with Europe at the forefront of FPV adoption.
DAS floating solutions are capitalizing on water surfaces to deploy advanced solar systems that produce energy while preserving valuable land resources. DAS Solar’s FPV systems utilize advanced, bifacial N-type modules designed to withstand the challenges of humid and variable conditions on water. With robust mounting systems and UV-resistant technology, DAS Solar ensures optimal durability and reliable energy production in FPV applications.
Fishery Complementary PV Projects: An Integrated Aquaculture Solution
As the cost of land for power plants rises rapidly, limited land resources have led to a shift of focus toward more expansive water bodies, fueling the rapid growth of floating solar farms. In that context, DAS Solar has innovated with the fishery complementary PV model, an innovative energy utilization approach that combines solar power generation with aquaculture. The installation of solar modules effectively reduces water surface evaporation, suppresses excessive algae growth, and provides a clearer, more stable aquatic environment for fish. Additionally, the shaded areas beneath the panels create an ideal habitat for shade-loving fish species, enhancing biodiversity and improving fishery production quality and efficiency. This model not only addresses energy shortages and reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also directly benefits local communities by increasing fishery value and creating jobs, acting as a new engine for local economic growth.
Another key advantage of the fishery complementary PV model is that solar panels can make full use of sunlight reflected off the water surface, enhancing power generation efficiency. Meanwhile, the relatively cooler water provides a natural cooling effect for the modules to prevent overheating, extending the lifespan of the system, improving energy utilization efficiency, and reducing generation costs.
An excellent example is the 650 MW wind-solar-storage base project in Fuyang, Anhui. As the first integrated renewable energy project in the Yangtze River Delta, this installation combines solar energy generation, fishery cultivation, and water management to foster a self-sustaining ecosystem. This approach optimizes the use of large water surfaces, installing solar arrays above fish ponds to generate power while providing shade that stabilizes water temperatures, reduces evaporation, and enhances fish habitat conditions.
Another notable project is DAS Solar’s Longhu fishery complementary PV Project in Hainan, which has demonstrated remarkable resilience through its innovative flexible mounting system. After withstanding multiple extreme weather events, including Typhoon Talim and Typhoon Koinu with wind speeds exceeding level 12, the system continues to operate stably. In this typhoon-prone area, the project establishes a green power generation model of solar modules generating electricity above while fish are farmed below, enabling more efficient use of fish pond resources and further supporting the sustainable development of the local pillar industry.
DAS Solar’s fishery complementary PV installations underscore the environmental and economic benefits of combining energy production with sustainable aquaculture, offering valuable insights for regions looking to maximize natural resource use while supporting rural revitalization.
Offshore FPV Projects: A New Horizon for Ocean-Based Energy
Based on the development trajectory of wind power, the PV industry is also expected to progress from land to offshore, and from shallow to deep-sea applications. The offshore solar sector is rapidly gaining traction, supported by favorable government policies and technological advancements. Offshore systems benefit from minimal shading, vast sea surfaces, and reduced cloud cover, all contributing to consistent power generation and higher energy output. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that offshore PV capacity could exceed 100 GW globally by 2050, accounting for nearly 20% of the world’s solar installations.
China, with its extensive coastline and high-energy demand in coastal provinces, has notable potential for offshore solar expansion. DAS Solar has seized this opportunity, beginning its exploration into offshore FPV as early as 2019, leading in product development, technological innovation, and application validation testing. The company establishes a comprehensive R&D chain covering floating structures, anchoring systems, and maintenance. By integrating cutting-edge polymer materials that mimic aluminum but at lower costs, it has achieved a significant reduction in LCOE for offshore projects, making which cost-competitive with traditional energy sources.
For the floating structure, DAS Solar combines the strengths of inland multi-float and deep-sea large floating systems using box-type floats, rigid brackets, and flexible connections, forming a rectangular array for complete water surface coverage while also promoting marine ecological restoration.
Meanwhile, DAS Solar’s “Near-shore Intelligent Aquaculture Project” is currently in the applying process, representing the company’s commitment to multi-use sea environments. Through the high-clearance and large-span design of the flexible mounting systems, an automated and intensive sea ranch can be created. This solution not only reduces the marine pollution caused by the traditional breeding model, but also achieves the dual function of breeding + power generation by erecting the power generation equipment at a height of over 2 meters. In addition, for the islands and reefs in the far-reaching sea, DAS Solar is applying for an “Offshore Island Life Support System” solution, which carries out breeding under the sea surface through a matrix-distributed floating system, integrating power generation, hydrogen production, freshwater production and soilless cultivation.
A Promising Outlook for DAS Floating Solutions
Currently, floating PV is entering a rapid growth phase, set to work alongside ground-mounted utility PV, C&I PV, BIPV, and rooftop PV to further the application and adoption of solar energy. In challenging water environments, PV modules face significant mechanical stress, high temperature fluctuations, high salinity, humidity, and bio-fouling. DAS Solar ensures the reliability of its modules through rigorous testing, including visual inspection, EL, STC, insulation, and damp-leakage tests, as well as the use of highly weather-resistant materials. The company conducts mooring analysis, specialized simulated pool tests, and field trials to ensure robust performance.
With its groundbreaking DAS Floating solutions, DAS Solar is paving the way for innovative renewable energy applications across diverse aquatic environments. From fishery-integrated installations to offshore PV advancements, DAS Solar showcases the potential of renewable energy to operate sustainably across various water landscapes and demonstrates how FPV technology can play a pivotal role in the clean transition and carbon neutrality. As floating solar expands to meet growing energy needs, DAS Solar’s commitment to sustainability positions it as a leader in transforming global energy landscape.
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