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Ramon, ISABELA. -- Renewable energy firm SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) is eyeing the development of a bigger floating solar power farm following the launch here of first 200 kilowatt (kw) project using this technology.
Joseph Yu, SNAP president and chief executive officer, said the results and performance of this initial project will determine the expansion in Magat dam whose vast space can accommodate a solar power project that could generate up to 20 megawatts (MW)
“The plan is, over the next six months, we will go through the wet season, the rains and the storms and we’ll see how (floating solar farm) reacts to the waves and the rain. We’d like to see what it can withstand,” Yu told reporters during the sidelines of SNAP’s switch on ceremonies of the pilot project.
Yu said SNAP is studying how to lower the cost of developing such technology to less than a million dollars per MW to make it feasible for expansion.
The first 200 kw project needed a little over $400,000 (P24 million) investment.
The 200 kw solar power project’s output is being used to supply the electricity requirements of SNAP’s offices here.
“Land-based solar is normally less costly than floating solar but of course that depends on acquisition price for land. Floating solar gives you the auxiliary value of not competing for agricultural land. One of the challenges for floating solar against land-based solar is you have a penalty, but you generate so much value on the agricultural sector and food security sector,” Yu said.
Cost of developing land-based solar projects is lower since their structures are stationary compared to floating solar projects which should be supported by a facility that can easily adjust and float depending on the level of water.
Yu said SNAP is also bullish of the opportunity for building floating solar power plants in other viable locations, citing that it is a fast, economical and sustainable way to bring in additional capacity.
SNAP said the project is capable of safeguarding water levels in dams and reservoirs by reducing evaporation which is critical during times of drought and El Niño apart from its ability to provide shade and inhibit the growth of harmful algae while providing sanctuary for marine life that cannot survive in very hot temperatures.
The 200 kw floating solar project is SNAP’s first non-hydro power plant and was developed in partnership with Ocean Sun, a Norwegian floating solar technology provider. The latter’s method of installation of solar panels on floating membranes is said to be powerful enough to withstand up to 270 kilometers per hour of wind while maintaining good seaworthiness.
SNAP is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. It owns and operates the 380 MW Magat hydro on the border of Isabela and Ifugao; the 8.5 MW Maris hydro in Isabela; the 105 MW Ambuklao hydro in Benguet and the 140 MW Binga hydro also in Benguet. |
