Hanwha Q Cells to build the largest dam-floating solar power plant

Hanwha Q Cells will build a 41-megawatt floating solar power plant at a dam in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, that would generate electricity for around 60,000 people.

It would be the largest floating solar power plant built at a dam.

Hanwha Q Cells would use its self-developed Q.Peak Duo Poseidon modules, specialized for floating solar farms.

The modules have a peak power of 420 watts and an energy efficiency of 20.3 percent and are produced with eco-friendly materials that resist high temperatures and humidity.

According to the company, a beneficial feature of floating solar power plants is that it does not occupy a land area.

Furthermore, a solar power plant built on the water can generate electricity more efficiently with the water reflecting light and cooling down the modules.

Hanwha Q Cells, South Korea’s leading solar cell and module maker, pointed out that if all countries use 1 percent of their total available water surface area for floating solar photovoltaic panels, 404 gigawatts of power could be generated.

CEO Kim Hee-cheul described floating solar power generation facilities on idle water surfaces as the best way to utilize limited national territory.

For this reason, the global floating solar panel market is expected to grow at a fast pace.

Hanwha Q Cells received approval from the Korea Water Resources Corporation last week and plans to begin construction of the solar farm within this year.