In a recent statement, Ediléu Cardoso Jr., CEO of KWP Energia, discussed the growing competitiveness of floating solar plant technology compared to ground-mounted installations with fixed structures. KWP Energia is among the companies involved in installing the UFF Araucária, a 7 MWp floating solar plant located in the Billings dam, São Paulo.
Despite the global perception of floating solar as a solution for land-scarce regions, Cardoso Jr. emphasized its relevance in Brazil, particularly in metropolitan areas where reservoirs serve as potential sites for solar generation close to energy consumption centers. The Billings dam, covering 10,500 hectares in São Paulo, presents such an opportunity, offering space for solar installations amidst high land costs and concentrated energy demand.
Furthermore, Cardoso Jr. highlighted the environmental benefits of floating solar, including the preservation of land and positive impacts on reservoir ecosystems. The UFF Araucária installation at Billings serves as an example, with observations of fish utilizing the plant’s shade for spawning.
The UFF Araucária plant, featuring 10,500 panels on water surfaces with an initial investment of R$30 million, demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of floating solar technology. Through partnerships with EMAE, KWP established Universo Fotovoltaico, facilitating shared generation models for renting the plant to customers.
Looking ahead, Cardoso Jr. emphasized the potential for further expansion of floating solar in Brazil, driven by technological advancements and favorable economics. The technology’s ability to generate more energy per unit area and its cooling effect on modules contribute to its attractiveness compared to fixed ground-mounted installations.
With ongoing discussions for floating solar applications in regions like the Northeast, KWP aims to address regional concerns such as water evaporation while generating clean energy. The company utilizes high-density polyethylene floats with UFV treatment, ensuring durability and recyclability, in collaboration with Ciel et Terre technology.
Overall, floating solar presents significant potential for Brazil’s energy landscape, with scientists estimating a capacity of 43 GW by utilizing just 1% of the surface area of artificial bodies of water across the country.
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