In south-west Victoria, the regional city of Warrnambool is planning to launch Australia's largest floating array of solar panels.
More than 1,200 double-sided solar panels will be permanently moored in the middle of the Brierly Basin as part of a $1.4 million pontoon project unveiled by water authority Wannon Water.
The 500-kilowatt floating array will be the biggest of its type in Australia.
Mike Harding said
04:29 PM Oct 1, 2022
I wonder if the reduced sunlight will have a detrimental effect upon water quality or aquatic life?
With energy there is no such thing as something for nothing.
Whenarewethere said
04:53 PM Oct 1, 2022
Being on water they will stay cooler.
My 120 watt setup which put out about 125 watts. If I water cooled the panels I could squeeze 137 watts out of them.
dorian said
05:53 PM Oct 1, 2022
"The water within the basin is pumped in from the Otways and collected off nearby rooves before being treated and pumped to homes in Warrnambool, Allansford and Koroit."
It seems to me that water quality may not be an issue if it is being treated appropriately, at least from the perspective of human consumption. The other positive thing would be that there would be less loss from evaporation. In any case the Brierly Basin appears to be a man made reservoir, so I can't see that we have any responsibility for aquatic life.
Tony Bev said
06:56 PM Oct 1, 2022
A good article, Dorian
So thanks for that
Knew nothing about double-sided solar panels, so googled them
They seem to give more watt per area, but alas they are heavier, so probably not suitable for some RV's
Below is a website with some explanations, which incorporates a video from Will Prowes, who seems to be a reputable source of info
Edit to say, the Will Prowes Video is the one at the bottom of the article
Australia's largest floating solar panel system set to save money and reduce emissions in Warrnambool:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-01/australias-largest-solar-array-warrnambool-hamilton/101488198
In south-west Victoria, the regional city of Warrnambool is planning to launch Australia's largest floating array of solar panels.
More than 1,200 double-sided solar panels will be permanently moored in the middle of the Brierly Basin as part of a $1.4 million pontoon project unveiled by water authority Wannon Water.
The 500-kilowatt floating array will be the biggest of its type in Australia.
I wonder if the reduced sunlight will have a detrimental effect upon water quality or aquatic life?
With energy there is no such thing as something for nothing.
Being on water they will stay cooler.
My 120 watt setup which put out about 125 watts. If I water cooled the panels I could squeeze 137 watts out of them.
It seems to me that water quality may not be an issue if it is being treated appropriately, at least from the perspective of human consumption. The other positive thing would be that there would be less loss from evaporation. In any case the Brierly Basin appears to be a man made reservoir, so I can't see that we have any responsibility for aquatic life.
A good article, Dorian
So thanks for that
Knew nothing about double-sided solar panels, so googled them
They seem to give more watt per area, but alas they are heavier, so probably not suitable for some RV's
Below is a website with some explanations, which incorporates a video from Will Prowes, who seems to be a reputable source of info
Edit to say, the Will Prowes Video is the one at the bottom of the article
https://solar-adviser.com/what-is-bifacial-solar-panel/
-- Edited by Tony Bev on Saturday 1st of October 2022 06:58:45 PM
Maintenance could be an issue, as could cyclones but technology should be able to overcome them.
Thanks Dorian - this will be an extra reason to drive down to see our daughter & family.