‘Limitless’ energy: floating solar near equator could power future population hotspots

[Encid]

Vast arrays of solar panels floating on calm seas near the Equator could provide effectively unlimited solar energy to densely populated countries in Southeast Asia and West Africa.

 

 

Our new research shows offshore solar in Indonesia alone could generate about 35,000 TWh of solar energy a year, which is similar to current global electricity production (30,000TWh per year).

 

And while most of the world’s oceans experience storms, some regions at the Equator are relatively still and peaceful. So relatively inexpensive engineering structures could suffice to protect offshore floating solar panels.

 

Our high-resolution global heat maps show the Indonesian archipelago and equatorial West Africa near Nigeria have the greatest potential for offshore floating solar arrays.

 

Heatmap for offshore floating solar panels. Red areas are best, followed by yellow, green and dark blue. The grey lines show tropical storm tracks.

Image: Author-supplied, using OpenStreetMap base, CC BY-ND

 

You can read the full article from PV Magazine here.

[scottiejohn]

47 minutes ago, Encid said:

Vast arrays of solar panels floating on calm seas near the Equator

What calm seas?

They make statements about area's weather trends but NO data to back it up!

More hot air than practical solutions or facts!

Edited August 5, 2023 by scottiejohn

[Sqoop]

My thoughts exactly.. calm seas. And how will this energy be stored and transported at massive scale ?

[Bandersnatch]

17 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

What calm seas?

They make statements about area's weather trends but NO data to back it up!

More hot air than practical solutions or facts!

"No Data" you clearly didn't bother to read the linked article.  

 

"Their tropical location in the so-called “doldrum” latitudes also means wind resources are poor. Fortunately, these countries – and their neighbours – can harvest effectively unlimited energy from solar panels floating on calm equatorial seas.

Floating solar panels can also be placed on inland lakes and reservoirs. Inland floating solar has large potential and is already growing rapidly."

 

17 hours ago, Sqoop said:

And how will this energy be stored and transported at massive scale ?

You need to watch this video which shows Thailand using floating solar farms on reservoirs that already have electrical infrastructure and connectivity due to having existing hydro power :

 

 

 

Edited August 6, 2023 by Bandersnatch

[Crossy]

Flame removed!

 

Let's play nicely shall we?