China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) has successfully commenced operations of China's first commercial floating offshore solar project in a full-seawater environment.

The array utilises the seawater surface to optimise space efficiency and covers approximately 60,000 square meters with an installed capacity of 7.5MW, the structure also allows the photovoltaic panels to synchronise with tidal elevations, reducing the distance between the panels and the water surface to about one-tenth of traditional pile-based structures optimising seawater cooling and enhancing power generation efficiency by 5-8 percent.

The challenges of applying PV technology in seawater environments was improved through three key innovations: Specially engineered floats and supports resistant to salt mist corrosion and barnacle growth; an underwater anchoring system designed to withstand wind speed and accommodate tidal variations reducing investment costs by approximately 10 per cent compared to traditional pile-based PV systems; and a streamlined inspection pathway for PV panels and cables positioned close to the water's surface, significantly lowering operating and maintenance costs.

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