India is one of the leading countries which is striving towards increased renewable energy generation. The major advancements and notable growth in the percentage of renewable energy usage have been seen in the past 5 - 6 years, which is more likely to be improving. Moreover, the governmental authorities related to renewable power generation and usage are supporting the citizens with subsidies, reduced equipment charges, tax exemption, and many more. Furthermore, recognizable attention is provided to the uses in form of labels, green-colored number plates for electric cars, and many more.
On the other hand, the government is also implementing plans to promote the people from depending on non-renewable sources, the ban on diesel cars along with shortening the life of petrol and diesel vehicles yo be fit to run has been reduced to 15 years recently. In addition, the rise in fuel prices will also add up to the initiatives in an indirect way encouraging people to use renewable sources.
In one of the previous blogs I had described CIAL- The Cochin International Airport Ltd which has become the first airport to run on renewable energy sources. They use solar panels on top of their buildings, airfields, and all the nearby areas. Likewise, they have come up with an initiative of floating solar panels in the nearby water bodies for further power generation. The airport already considered operating on a green initiative has even become greener and a major renewable power generator in the state of Kerala. All thanks to the officials of CIAL, governmental authorities, and ministers.
This blog will describe the CIALs initiative of floating solar panels
The new addition to the existing renewable power generation from solar fields will be able to generate power up to 452Kwh. Which will raise the maximum capable power generation for the CIAL from renewable sources to 40MWp. Moreover, they have used highly cost-efficient, high-density photovoltaic floating solar panels which are not only durable but effective in the long run. In addition, the generated power from the floating solar panels is provided to the grid owned by KSEB- The Kerala State Electricity Board which has the capability to store it.
Source: CIAL Facebook page.
A total of around 1300 of these solar panels have been distinct to float on water bodies which will come across a 1-acre space in total. Ya, that is right 1 acre of floating solar panels, just consider the innovation here making CIAL the second most powerful producer of the state right after the KSEB and will be one of the major producers of renewable energy in the state. Additionally, considering an airport that is a major consumer of energy the power generation through breakable means will be acting as a major producer of the carbon footprint that the facility will leave on earth. Let's now move on to understanding how the floating solar panels work.
How do floating solar panels work?
Floating solar panels or floating photovoltaic cells are a major advancement in renewable power generation. These inflatable solar panels can be implemented in any water bodies but it's not efficiently possible to install them on a sea or an ocean due to the high and heavy tides which would disrupt the setup. In addition, these panels can also be bound to float on larger man-made water bodies such as reservoirs, artificial ponds, or lakes throughout the globe.
The technology is not that much old to the world as it was initially implemented in the last decade by various developed nations targeting to achieve a greener energy generation. Let's now move to understand certain advantages and disadvantages of using floating solar panels.
Pros and cons of floating solar panels.
The floating solar panels are not only a cooler initiative of renewable power generation, but it also has various environmental as well as economical benefits for the people.
It will act as a cooing interface for the water bodies and vice versa reducing the evaporation levels from these water bodies during extreme summer days.
The ware bodies will act as a cooling agent for the electronic aspects of the solar panels, therefore, improving the efficiency in power generation.
No loss of land or commercial areas can be implemented in unused water bodies.
No need for any infrastructure as well as surfaces and panels holders reducing the implementation infrastructure cost.
The implementation aspects of floating solar panels will have certain disadvantages too.
There will be additional cost aspects as the solar panels will be specifically being to be placed on water bodies.
Will cause the growth of algae in water bodies which will be harmful if used for drinking.
These are some of the pros and cons of floating solar panels.
Another innovative aspect is installing floating solar panels for swimming pools which will be an effective solution for normal households to generate renewable power without consuming usable space. In addition, these floating solar panels for pools will be removable and easy to install for anyone.