A floating solar installation off Taiwan's western coast has generated more electricity and higher profits than a nearby land-based project of similar scale. Researchers compared the two systems and found clear advantages for the offshore version despite added challenges.
Chenya Energy completed the 181-megawatt floating solar farm on 1.8 square kilometres of protected bay water in 2020-21. Taiwan Power Company had built a 100-megawatt land project on 1.4 square kilometres the previous year, allowing direct comparison after adjusting for capacity differences.