BAHRAIN could set up floating solar farms on water as it seeks to expand renewable energy projects without taxing its limited land resources, experts have said.
The New Delhi-headquartered International Solar Alliance (ISA) has presented a proposal to the Bahraini government for a floating photovoltaic project in a bid to further harness the power of the sun.
The ISA – an alliance of 111 signatory countries which lie either completely or partly between the sunny Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn – has committed to boosting co-operation in combating climate change, which is set to dramatically alter ecosystems in this region.
Floating photovoltaics (FPV), sometimes called floatovoltaics, are solar panels mounted on a structure that floats on a body of water.
According to experts, the panels are more eco-friendly and affordable. They can reduce evaporation in dry climates resulting in significant water savings while also cutting down on algae growth. The panels can be rotated horizontally or vertically to enable sun-tracking. They would also operate at cooler temperatures than solar arrays on desert land.
“Bahrain could take the lead as an investment hub in solar energy projects and schemes within the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region,” said ISA operations chief Joshua Wycliffe.
“It is keen to advance solar energy strategies despite limited inland spaces and whatever ideas they may have could be shifted or transferred to private investors,” he added.
“Different options are being explored with Bahrain to boost their solar production and we are offering the floating solar system. It would see panels floating on water and later connected inland.
“Bahrain is interested, but we are still in talks on the implementation process and other mechanisms.”
Mr Wycliffe added that expanding the solar production system would help reduce costs and allow more efficiency.
“Water for agriculture or other purposes flows through electrically-aided pumps and going solar with those pumps means that energy is saved,” he said.
“It is also much more eco-friendly.
“We are working with the GCC on possible integration of such systems in landscaping, plantation and farming, besides expanded concepts in future.”
Mr Wycliffe said the aim was to make vital medical and educational facilities dependent on renewable energy rather than conventional power.
Several businesses and banks across Bahrain are already using solar panels while plans are underway to have them installed in the Old Manama Suq.
Other green projects underway include installing solar panels on rooftops of government schools and ministries, energy efficient ratings for buildings and setting up the first electric cars station in Saar.
Alongside Net Zero 2060 and quadrupling of mangroves, Bahrain has also committed to cutting emissions by 35 per cent by 2035, doubling plantations and renewable energy goals. This was announced in 2021 by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow.
From the Brazilian Amazon to Japan, floating solar panels are experiencing a boom around the world. According to a BBC report, solar PV capacity has increased almost 12-fold globally in the past decade, from 72GW in 2011 to 843GW in 2021. The technology now accounts for 3.6 per cent of global electricity generation, up from 0.03pc in 2006. At the same time, solar arrays have also seen an astonishing price drop which has made them the world’s cheapest source of power.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))