A reservoir shimmers with hidden power and we may just have South Korea to thank for that. In the southern area of Korea, there are 92,000 solar panels that float like blossoms on a reservoir that is 17 miles long and located in Hapcheon. Arranged as plum blossoms, this project succeeds in its renewable energy mission whilst not ruining the appearance of the landscape. These panels surely are able to generate 41,5 megawatts of electricity providing the chance to power about 60,000 homes. If solar flowers floating on a reservoir has so much potential, imagine what the future holds.
Relying on water for energy generation
South Korea has already succeeded in their sustainable solar mission by providing a solution to the problem of solar panel installations requiring too much space. The country is restricted in terms of available land and thus as opposed to going down the more traditional solar route, the country has chosen to tap into water potential. Solar farms pose too much of a space challenge and hence turning to the water worked best.
Floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems make use of reservoirs and lakes to capture sunlight effectively while tapping into the cooling potential of water as well. Solar efficiency is said to improve by about 10% all thanks to the cooling effect of the water. An added benefit of relying on energy generation from floating panels is that it reduces water evaporation. Furthermore, algae growth is stunted and thus perhaps the floating solar option has far more benefits than imaginable.
Thailand has also taken a liking to the idea of floating solar panels. Thailand is stepping up its sustainable energy game by considering the world’s biggest floating PV plant.
Floating panels in the shape of plum blossoms
Aside from South Korea and Thailand, Japan is also considering solar on water. With 50,000 solar panels on water, Japan has created a new form of energy. While Japan serves as inspiration redefining the floating solar game, Korea’s panels shaped somewhat like plum blossoms are nothing short of amazing. South Korea’s solar farm floats and it has cultural relevance and symbolism.
According to President Moon Jae-in these floating panels captures the three peaks of Mount Hwangmaesan in the plum blossom shown in Hapcheon Lake. By focusing on the blossom structure, South Korea is showing its solid commitment to aesthetically pleasing sustainable energy solutions.
The project is not just a way to harness clean energy, but to attract tourists as well by showcasing how beautiful clean energy solutions can be. The entire project was constructed by Hanwa and Hanwa predicts that Asia won’t be the only country craving these floating solar solutions soon.
Providing sustainable power to communities
While these floating solar plum blossoms are meant to improve energy generation, the Hapcheon floating project does more than just generate sustainable energy. The project is meant to offer social and economic benefits to the South Korean community. Local residents also contributed about 4% of the project’s fund. With this 20-year plan, the yearly return will be about 10% perhaps having economic benefits too.
In this community, residents are not only observing the renewable energy changes, but they are also actively getting involved as well. In fact, South Korea is proving how exciting adopting green initiatives as a community can be.
The future of floating panels
What the floating solar blossoms are offering is the chance for solar to look aesthetically pleasing while not taking up much space or land. The future of sustainable power is silently being produced all thanks to the reservoir, local communities, and a project by Hapcheon. Soon we could be saying goodbye to wind power in the world as floating solar plants mimics land architecture in the same way that these floating solar plum blossoms blends in with its surrounding landscape.
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