Solar energy is perpetual—as long as there is irradiance from sunlight, a solar farm will continue to produce clean energy to supply to the national grid. With scheduled maintenance of the physical structure, such as cleaning of the solar panel surfaces, the facility can continue to operate and reduce the reliance on conventional fossil fuels. For countries like Singapore with high population density and competing uses for available land, an offshore floating solar farm opens up new opportunities for scaling up solar generating capacity. The OFPV System showcases how offshore solar panel installations can be a viable alternative to generate clean energy beyond traditional land-based systems.
THE SOLAR FARM & THE BARGE
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity by absorbing sunlight and using the energy to create an electrical current. The OFPV structure consists of two main parts – the solar farm and the barge. The first is the solar farm, where power is harvested, and electrical current is generated. This structure is secured to the seabed by mooring points with sinkers that anchor the structure in place.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name
Offshore Floating Photovoltaic (OFPV) System
Location
Off Woodlands Coast, Singapore
Completion Date
March 2021
Site Area
Approximately 42,840 square metres
Capacity
5 Megawatt-peak
Government Implementing Agency
Singapore Economic Development Board
Detailed Design Consultants
Sunseap; National University of Singapore
Structural & Architecture
Sunseap; National University of Singapore
MEP Engineers
Sunseap
Main Contractor
ISOTEAM
Images
Sunseap
