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Environment

Floating solar power booms in South-East Asia as land becomes scarce

The rise of “floatovoltaics" could reduce pressure to build large solar farms on land, but some researchers are concerned about the impact on aquatic ecosystems

By James Dinneen

1 February 2024

A floating solar power plant on the Cirata Reservoir, West Java in Indonesia

A floating solar power plant on the Cirata reservoir in Indonesia, shortly before it began operating in November 2023

BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

Solar power arrays that float on water are becoming increasingly common in South-East Asia as the land available for the rapid expansion of renewable energy grows scarce. This floating approach may also be an option in other places where solar power’s large footprint is an issue.

According to an analysis by Jun Yee Chew at Rystad Energy, a research firm based in Norway, there are currently 500 megawatts of floating solar…

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