The first floating solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Australia is due to start operating in April.
Infratech Industries told local media in South Australia that it would start constructing the PV plant at a wastewater treatment facility in March.
Much of the assembly will be carried out off-site, with panels and other infrastructure slotted together at the Jamestown wastewater plant. As the solar panels will be floating, they will be kept cool by the water mass and will therefore be more efficient than solar panels installed on land, said Infratech.
The presence of solar panels will also limit the growth of blue-green algae, which can lead to water quality issues.
According to Infratech’s website, the solar panels are installed on a raft membrane that is free to track the sun. They system can withstand a 10 m daily water level differential and can also accommodate 2 m peak and trough waves.
Infratech has already developed floating solar power plants in France and South Korea. The new facility in South Korea will produce enough energy for the wastewater treatment facility and will export excess energy to the grid.
