Thailand’s ‘largest’ floating solar project comes online

[webfact]

The install is colocated with a hydropower plant in the northeast province of Ubon Ratchathani. Image: Sungrow.

 

ByJules Scully

 

A 58.5MW floating PV plant in Thailand, said to be the largest install of its kind in the country, has been connected to the grid, according to inverter and floating solutions supplier Sungrow.

 

Colocated with a hydropower plant, the solar project spans 121 hectares atop a reservoir in the northeast province of Ubon Ratchathani.

 

As well as supplying its SG3400HV inverter, Sungrow provided the project’s floating platform, which the company said “guarantees a minimal negative effect on the lake’s flora and fauna”. The installation features glass-glass modules as well as a mooring system made from high-density polyethylene.

 

Full story: https://www.pv-tech.org/thailands-largest-floating-solar-project-comes-online/

 

-- © Copyright PVTECH 2021-09-18

 

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[Scrotobike]

There is soooo much land in Thailand - why use water based solar plants?

Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know.

[phetphet]

8 minutes ago, Scrotobike said:

There is soooo much land in Thailand - why use water based solar plants?

Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know.

Might be for the cooling effect for the panels. 

[Scrotobike]

2 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Might be for the cooling effect for the panels. 

"Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know"

Thanks but I wasn't looking for guesses.

[elcaro]

17 minutes ago, Scrotobike said:

Can someone who knows

Just follow the money.

Board of China

[hotchilli]

I hope a typhoon doesn't blow through anytime soon.

[mikebell]

It is surprising that solar power is not more widespread here.  The usual reason is the formation of monopolies and/or cartels to corner the market. Looks like the Chinese got here first.

[phetphet]

32 minutes ago, Scrotobike said:

"Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know"

Thanks but I wasn't looking for guesses.

What are the benefits of a floating PV system?

• Promotes land-use efficiency. As the floating PV energy systems are set up on water, the land can be used for other purposes. It requires no construction on land or conversion of forest and farmlands for solar power facilities.
• Provides high-energy yield. The increased energy generation is due to the natural cooling effect of the water, which reduces rises in temperature of the solar modules.
• Saves water resources. It reduces the evaporation of water in the reservoir since the floating PV system blocks the sunlight.
• Uses an eco-friendly system. Natural fish farms thrive under the platform.

Four environmental impact analyses by the Korea Environmental Policy and Evaluation Institute (KEI) from 2011 to 2019, showed that the floating PV facilities caused no harm to the environment, developed a ground for fish spawning, increased aquatic plants, and reduced algae. Also, as of 2018, the floating solar farms in the country has reduced the amount of carbon emissions by 52,414 tons.

 

[nobodysfriend]

Floating solar panels require less maintenance .

No regular brush cutting necessary .

Solar is the way to go , better than wind .

Solar panels should be on EVERY roof .

Excess solar produced energy should be used to create hydrogen , that can power , for example , fuel cell cars . Conversion rate is still not good at 2:1 , but there are other ways to store electric energy provided by solar cells as well ...

[Muhendis]

There are plenty of plusses in favour of floating solar farms. The only thing missing for me is optimisation of the panel angle from the horizontal. But then the cooling effect of the body of water might possibly compensate for that a bit.

[Skallywag]

The only direction forward IMO.  Quit relying on imported oil and get rid of or convert all cars to EV.  EV Motorcycles are easily available here now, Deco Green Energy is a THailand based company that makes them. , EV scooters are sufficient in cities for transport.  How I wish I could go for a walk without smelling ICE exhaust and hearing the obnoxious noises from 100 exhaust pipes 

[KannikaP]

12 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

How I wish I could go for a walk

And hear the electric motor bike coming!

[HarrySeaman]

30 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

There are plenty of plusses in favour of floating solar farms. The only thing missing for me is optimisation of the panel angle from the horizontal. But then the cooling effect of the body of water might possibly compensate for that a bit.

The declination of the sun is 23.45º.  The latitude of Thailand is 15.8700° N, varying from Northern Thailand to Southern.  For instance Chiang Mai is 18.7883 N, Bangkok is 13.7563° N, and Phuket is 7.8804° N.

 

What this means is that in Winter Thailand is North of the equator and in Summer it is South of the equator - it oscillates North and South of the equator throughout the year.   The result is that placing solar panels flat on the surface of the water means that they are never very far for the optimum angle to the sun.

[Scrotobike]

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

What are the benefits of a floating PV system?

• Promotes land-use efficiency. As the floating PV energy systems are set up on water, the land can be used for other purposes. It requires no construction on land or conversion of forest and farmlands for solar power facilities.
• Provides high-energy yield. The increased energy generation is due to the natural cooling effect of the water, which reduces rises in temperature of the solar modules.
• Saves water resources. It reduces the evaporation of water in the reservoir since the floating PV system blocks the sunlight.
• Uses an eco-friendly system. Natural fish farms thrive under the platform.

Four environmental impact analyses by the Korea Environmental Policy and Evaluation Institute (KEI) from 2011 to 2019, showed that the floating PV facilities caused no harm to the environment, developed a ground for fish spawning, increased aquatic plants, and reduced algae. Also, as of 2018, the floating solar farms in the country has reduced the amount of carbon emissions by 52,414 tons.

 

Brilliant - thanks.

[Scott Tracy]

1 hour ago, HarrySeaman said:

The declination of the sun is 23.45º.  The latitude of Thailand is 15.8700° N, varying from Northern Thailand to Southern.  For instance Chiang Mai is 18.7883 N, Bangkok is 13.7563° N, and Phuket is 7.8804° N.

 

What this means is that in Winter Thailand is North of the equator and in Summer it is South of the equator - it oscillates North and South of the equator throughout the year.   The result is that placing solar panels flat on the surface of the water means that they are never very far for the optimum angle to the sun.

Ummm.

 

Thailand is never South of the Equator. Thailand is a land mass that is fixed with respect to the equator. I am guessing, but I think what you mean is that the sun is never in one place with regards to Thailand. The earth is inclined at an angle to the sun, which makes the sun appear to move from North to South and back again over a year over Thailand. Twice a year, it will be directly overhead, somewhere in Thailand as the earth rotates on its inclined axis.

As you say, the sun is never really that far off the vertical at any time of year, really. 

Edited September 18, 2021 by Scott Tracy
Removing superfluous words.

[ifmu]

2 hours ago, Scrotobike said:

"Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know"

Thanks but I wasn't looking for guesses.

then look it up yourself  ... damn    

[marcusb]

17 minutes ago, ifmu said:

then look it up yourself  ... damn    

Yes. exactly. The perfect response in a forum where people share.  

 

They could really just shut down the forum and use his wise words instead "look it up yourself" 

[Peterphuket]

3 hours ago, Scrotobike said:

"Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know"

Thanks but I wasn't looking for guesses.

Already answered, I see.

Edited September 18, 2021 by Peterphuket

[Muhendis]

1 hour ago, Scott Tracy said:

Thailand is a land mass that is fixed with respect to the equator.

Well spotted sir.

The optimum fixed angle for best average performance throughout the year is south and +17° from horizontal. 

[sungod]

4 hours ago, Scrotobike said:

"Can someone who knows about solar plants please let me know"

Thanks but I wasn't looking for guesses.

Ever heard of Google?

[Thaifish]

I agree with @Muhendis. For those on the Burriram lattitude 15 deg South from vertical. Calculated to 3 decimal places marked with chalk and cut with an Axe.????

[Scrotobike]

2 hours ago, sungod said:

Ever heard of Google?

Yes - a google is sometimes mistakenly used as a noun to refer to the number 10¹⁰⁰

[natway09]

Are the fish happy to have some shade ?

Why build on water  ? higher costs = higher commissions