A floating solar plant based on a wastewater treatment facility is set to be developed in South Australia.
The renewable power-producing facility is expected to be operational by April this year, reports ABC Online.
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Infratech Industries is the developer for the solar plant. The firm was cited by the website as saying that the facility has been designed to continue much of the construction offsite, which can later be fitted together at the site.
The plant is located in Jamestown. It will feature floating solar panels, which would be kept cool by the water mass. This can increase the efficiency of the process by nearly 57% as compared to other land-based solar projects.
Infratech Industries spokesperson Felicia Whiting was quoted by ABC Online as saying: "It prevents water evaporation of up to 90% of the surface area covered, and for dry states and dry climates that’s a big water saving measure.
"It prevents the outbreak of blue-green algae by keeping the surface water cool, which is for treated wastewater an issue in water quality.
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By GlobalData"By preventing photosynthesis, the energy from the sun goes into the panel rather than into the water."
Once operational, the plant is expected to power its co-located wastewater treatment facility, and will transmit the excess to the township of Jamestown.
Infratech had spent nearly two years on the technological research and development of the project.
The firm has already developed test floating solar energy projects in France and South Korea, based on which the improved model has been planned for the Australian facility.
