Solar power station location equator

Could solar panels float on calm tropical seas near the equator?

New research shows densely populated countries in Southeast Asia and West Africa could harvest effectively unlimited energy from solar panels floating on calm tropical seas near the equator.

Can offshore solar power equatorial regions?

With calm seas and mild winds, some equatorial regions are prime candidates for massive floating solar arrays. Although many people know about wind’s offshore potential, the energy-producing power of offshore solar could be just as impactful.

Are solar panels a viable alternative to the equator?

The results showed that areas near the equator, especially West Africa near Nigeria and Indonesia, were perfect candidates. These waters, if filled with solar panels, could create a tremendous amount of energy —so much, in fact, that the authors describe it as “unlimited.”

Where can floating solar panels be installed?

Furthermore, global heat maps show that the Indonesian archipelago and the Gulf of Guinea near Nigeria have the greatest potential for floating solar arrays. Floating solar, also known as floating photovoltaic (FPV) or floating solar farms, involves the installation of solar panels on water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and canals.

Are floating solar panels a viable alternative to equatorial seas?

Floating solar installations on the surface of the ocean present challenges, particularly from salt corrosion and marine fouling. Yet despite these challenges, they believe offshore floating panels will provide a large component of the energy mix for countries that have access to calm equatorial seas.

Could offshore solar be a game changer for countries near the equator?

And it could be a game changer for countries near the equator. A new study conducted by scientists at Australian National University created a heatmap atlas for offshore solar, detailing where calm seas and mild winds around the globe coalesce to create environments perfect for hosting offshore solar installations.