How Do Solar Panels "Float on Water"?
This article is about the technology behind floating PV solutions.
Rows of gleaming solar panels are already delivering clean energy on land. Now, they have also achieved the feat of "floating on water," creating a unique spectacle across vast water surfaces. This is not only a triumph of technological innovation but also a testament to humanity's active pursuit of sustainable development. So, how exactly do solar panels manage to "float on water"? Let’s uncover the mystery.
I. The Technology behind Floating Solar Panels
In Fuyang, Anhui Province, China Three Gorges Corporation has developed the country’s largest single floating photovoltaic (PV) power station, spanning thousands of acres of water. The key to keeping solar panels stable on water lies in the floating structures that support them. The panels are mounted on interconnected floats, ensuring they neither collide nor drift apart under wind and rain. These floats act like "water cradles," providing a stable foundation.
For instance, the Fuyang floating PV station consists of 1.2 million solar modules, covering an area equivalent to about 1,300 standard football fields. Such a massive array relies on meticulously designed floats, which must provide sufficient buoyancy while withstanding the weight of the panels and various environmental challenges.
When solar panels and floats form their "PV-float duo," auxiliary floats further stabilize this "family relationship." These auxiliary floats not only provide maintenance personnel with secure access but also enhance the system’s overall stability, acting like "stabilizers" to prevent excessive swaying.
As the panels move with the water’s undulations, the auxiliary floats absorb shocks, reducing mechanical stress. Meanwhile, technicians can easily access the panels for inspection and maintenance.
Finally, the entire PV array must be anchored in place, accounting for water level fluctuations and currents. Typically, steel cables secure the system to fixed points on the lakebed or shore.
At the Fuyang station, the cables allow for 5 meters of adjustment, ensuring stable operation even during rising water levels. This flexible anchoring system enables the panels to adapt to changing conditions.
II. Operation and Maintenance of Floating Solar Farms
Most floating PV systems are built on ponds or reservoirs, where high humidity accelerates corrosion in components and cables, shortening lifespans and reducing efficiency. To counter this, maintenance teams implement several measures:
Anti-corrosion treatment – Regular protective coatings for inverters, combiner boxes, and other equipment extend their service life.
Preventive inspections – Routine checks focus on floats, cables, and other critical components to identify and resolve issues early, minimizing downtime and power losses.
However, floating PV solutions present unique challenges. Their vast, buoyant surfaces make maintenance pathways narrow, complicating inspections and equipment transport while posing safety risks.
To address this, teams combine manual inspections with drone-based thermal imaging. While human technicians can detect subtle faults, drones efficiently identify hotspots in panels, boosting performance. Additionally, regular safety training and emergency drills—along with life jackets and rings—ensure worker safety.
Another issue is bird droppings, which can obscure panels, reducing output and causing localized overheating (hot spots). Severe cases may even lead to fires.
To mitigate this, customized cleaning schedules are implemented, using either manual or robotic methods depending on conditions. Post-cleaning analysis reports are generated for performance review.
III. Innovations and Future of Floating Solar Technology
Floating solar is an evolving field, with continuous advancements in float materials, high-efficiency PV modules, and smart O&M systems.
New float materials promise greater buoyancy, durability, and eco-friendliness at lower costs. More efficient panels will boost energy yields, while AI-driven monitoring will enable remote diagnostics and automated troubleshooting.
Though China has deployed several large-scale floating PV solutions, their capacity remains modest compared to land-based installations. As technology matures and costs decline, floating solar is poised for expansive growth.
A prime example is Huanghai No. 1, China’s first wave-resistant floating PV platform. This modular "hexagonal warrior" can be assembled to maximize ocean space utilization, paving the way for large-scale offshore PV development and efficient marine energy use.
Beyond clean power, floating solar offers synergistic benefits:
Revitalizing unused waters – Deploying systems on coal mining subsidence zones delivers environmental and economic gains.
Aquaculture integration – "Fishery-PV synergy" models boost land productivity and farmer incomes.
Marine industry synergy – Coupling with ocean ranching or eco-tourism fosters diversified marine economies, supporting ecological and economic progress.
By harnessing idle water surfaces, floating PV exemplifies how innovation can drive sustainable energy and multipurpose resource utilization.
