This Is The World's Largest Installation Of Floating Solar Panels

The Netherlands has decided to set up the largest collection of solar panel islands in the world. This new collection will be able to withstand the wind at high speeds as well as reposition itself with the direction of sunlight. They expect this whole installation to cover about half of the North Holland-based Andijk reservoir's surface area. Water company PWN uses this installation to purify and offer 25 million cubic meters of drinking water.

The managing director of Floating Solar, Arnoud van Druten has had an interview with The Guardian last Sunday. He said:

How they will set it up

Hopefully, these floating photovoltaic panels will provide a promising solution to help with the transition to sustainable energy of the whole world. The first demonstration of this technology was back in 2009 in California. Ever since, it has spread widely, reaching more than 100 sites by the end of 2017.

The project will include 73,500 panels in total, covering 15 islands. In the first phase, they plan to complete by this November the covering of three islands, each has a diameter of 140 meters. In fact, the company could move much faster, but they decide to slow down to wait for the migration season of the bird to end. That only gives them 3 months to set up the islands. Afterward, they will combine this project with another site having static panels to bring energy to 10,000 homes in the area.

Automation

For higher efficiency, the panels rely on a sun-tracking algorithm. There are three buoys that will turn to the light automatically and slowly change the position using an algorithm. However, some developers say that the sun changes its position very little over a year so this task is really easy for automation.

They have even designed the system so that it can move in severe weather. It moves so that the waves will glide through smoothly it, so the islands could withstand wind at 60 mph speed. While the water-based installation seems to have more challenges than the land-based version, it actually has the advantage of cooling for the cables in use - according to Van Druten. If this project succeeds, it will inspire other projects across the world like in Japan, Thailand, and the US.

These types of projects can have several benefits on the ecosystem, including encouraging algae growth and reducing water evaporation. We have found examples of these environmental benefits in similar land-based facilities in India and Germany.

2018 is the fourth-hottest year ever in the record, so these ideas are most needed than ever.