Sunseap Group, Singapore’s leading solar energy provider, has completed the installation of one of the world’s largest floating solar farms on sea water in the Straits of Johor.
Sunseap hoped that the successful building of the five MW-peak offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) system will lead to more OFPV projects in the region as land-scarce countries tap offshore solar as part of their renewables strategy.
Sunseap said the floating solar farm at Woodlands took close to a year to set up amid movement restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown. It involved a total of 13,312 panels, 40 inverters and more than 30,000 floats.
The installation is expected to produce an estimated 6,022,500 kilo-watt hours (kWh) of energy per year, potentially offsetting an estimated 4,258 tons of carbon dioxide, bringing Singapore closer to decarbonization.
The solar farm is equipped with electrical panels, control system and a 22kV transformer. It is also a landing point for the subsea cable that transmits the generated power to the national grid.
The floating PV system is designed with a robust constant tension mooring system that is able to withstand changing weather conditions, keeping the platform and all of the operational equipment on board steady. There is also an air-conditioned second deck that doubles-up as a visitor center and viewing gallery.
