check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Canegrowers rearview170 Cobb Grill Skid Row Recovery Gear
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Solar panels on pontoon in water catchment


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3959
Date:
Solar panels on pontoon in water catchment


Australia's largest floating solar panel system set to save money and reduce emissions in Warrnambool:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-01/australias-largest-solar-array-warrnambool-hamilton/101488198

In south-west Victoria, the regional city of Warrnambool is planning to launch Australia's largest floating array of solar panels.

More than 1,200 double-sided solar panels will be permanently moored in the middle of the Brierly Basin as part of a $1.4 million pontoon project unveiled by water authority Wannon Water.   

The 500-kilowatt floating array will be the biggest of its type in Australia.



__________________

"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."

Lucius Cornelius Sulla - died 78 BC 

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4706
Date:

I wonder if the reduced sunlight will have a detrimental effect upon water quality or aquatic life?

With energy there is no such thing as something for nothing.



__________________

 

"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"

Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 7314
Date:

Being on water they will stay cooler. 

 

My 120 watt setup which put out about 125 watts. If I water cooled the panels I could squeeze 137 watts out of them.



__________________

Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3959
Date:

"The water within the basin is pumped in from the Otways and collected off nearby rooves before being treated and pumped to homes in Warrnambool, Allansford and Koroit."

It seems to me that water quality may not be an issue if it is being treated appropriately, at least from the perspective of human consumption. The other positive thing would be that there would be less loss from evaporation. In any case the Brierly Basin appears to be a man made reservoir, so I can't see that we have any responsibility for aquatic life.


__________________

"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."

Lucius Cornelius Sulla - died 78 BC 

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 5378
Date:

A good article, Dorian

So thanks for that

Knew nothing about double-sided solar panels, so googled them

They seem to give more watt per area, but alas they are heavier, so probably not suitable for some RV's

Below is a website with some explanations, which incorporates a video from Will Prowes, who seems to be a reputable source of info

Edit to say, the Will Prowes Video is the one at the bottom of the article

https://solar-adviser.com/what-is-bifacial-solar-panel/



-- Edited by Tony Bev on Saturday 1st of October 2022 06:58:45 PM

__________________

Tony

It cost nothing to be polite



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1984
Date:

I can see this idea being very useful up our way as evaporation on Ross Dam is said to be the same as the amount of water that Townsville uses!

Maintenance could be an issue, as could cyclones but technology should be able to overcome them.

Thanks Dorian - this will be an extra reason to drive down to see our daughter & family.

__________________

Warren

----------------

If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!

2019 Isuzu D-Max dual cab, canopy, Fulcrum suspension; 2011 17' Jayco Discovery poptop Outback

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook