Researchers from Taiwan’s National Taipei University of Technology have determined that offshore floating solar installations can outperform traditional ground-mounted solar plants by approximately 12% in total energy generation. By comparing a 100 MW land-based facility with a 181 MW offshore project, the study highlighted that cooling effects and intertidal environmental conditions significantly boost performance. While the offshore systems currently face a 30% higher cost per kilowatt and require specialized corrosion-resistant materials, the findings suggest that such technology is a viable strategic solution for regions with limited land availability to expand renewable energy capacity.
The study, published in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, utilized a lifecycle energy assessment to evaluate performance over a 25-year operational period. The researchers normalized the data to ensure an accurate comparison between the two configurations. Over its lifetime, the offshore system was projected to generate 2,047 GWh, compared to 1,828 GWh for the ground-mounted equivalent. This increased output also resulted in a higher reduction of CO2 emissions, with the offshore setup avoiding 1.013 million metric tons compared to 0.905 million metric tons for the land-based plant.
Despite the performance advantages, the transition to offshore floating PV involves significant engineering hurdles. The marine environment requires robust floating structures, typically made of high-density polyethylene, and specialized anti-corrosion components to withstand saltwater, strong winds, and mechanical stress from tides and typhoons. Lead author Ching-Feng Chen noted that while these logistical and material requirements drive up initial costs, the long-term gains in energy yield provide a strong case for economic viability. The researchers emphasized that with optimized mooring designs and structural reinforcements, offshore solar is a practical, utility-scale solution for coastal regions.