They Create a Thermal Solar Floater that Triples the Energy of Photovoltaic Panels at a Much Lower Cost

In the world of renewable energies, not everything is about filling entire fields with solar panels or erecting gigantic wind turbines, whether on land or at sea. Sometimes, innovation arises from water and the scorching heat of the sun.

This is how thermal floaters are born, solar floaters that do not just capture light like traditional photovoltaics, but directly harness solar heat to generate electricity.

This year, 100 units will be activated in Singapore with the aim of validating their performance in demanding urban and marine conditions.

Their proposal is as ambitious as it is disruptive: to triple the power of conventional panels and do so at a cost three times lower, with a modular and durable design that promises to democratize access to clean energy.

This technology, still in the prototype phase, already shows promising figures: up to 54 watts (W) per module and 670 W/m² of energy density. But beyond the numbers, its greatest appeal is versatility.

By floating on reservoirs or water surfaces, it does not compete with agriculture or urban land, and it can also reduce evaporation in regions with water stress. A doubly useful approach on a planet that urgently needs abundant, cheap, and sustainable electricity.

How Solar Floaters Work

The basis of the design is the creation of an extreme thermal differential. To achieve this, the device uses a geodesic lens that concentrates solar radiation up to 7,100 times onto a receiver. This reaches about 600 °C, while the base of the floater remains at 50 °C by staying in contact with the water.

This enormous temperature difference activates some high-efficiency thermocouples, allowing the production of up to 670 W/m2 through a hexagonal design containing multiple units. The generated electricity is then conducted through submerged wiring in the water that reaches the main grid.

Thanks to its structural robustness, this device performs perfectly in all types of climates, no matter how extreme, and requires minimal maintenance.

Advantages of Solar Floaters

Current renewable energy requires large areas to develop its full potential. However, this innovative system does not compete with agricultural use nor compromise the conservation of natural spaces. Additionally, it provides a superior energy density and its scalability makes it suitable for all types of aquatic spaces.

On the other hand, in countries with water stress, solar floaters contribute to the reduction of evaporation from reservoirs, as they partially cover the water surface. This, according to its creators, has already been demonstrated in California and India.

The idea originated from this last country, which arose after a prolonged blackout in Bihar, an area with extreme heat and scarce energy infrastructure.

Moreover, the estimated cost is only 0.55 euros/W, allowing a return on investment in 3.18 years and a carbon recovery period of just five months. The modular design also allows for 100% recycling of the device, and its estimated lifespan is 25 years, thus rivaling current photovoltaic panels.

For now, the project is in the pilot phase, and this year 100 units will be activated in Singapore to validate their performance in demanding urban and marine conditions. By 2026, its creators plan to expand to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, reaching an installed capacity of 100 MW by 2035.

Fuente: Incy Tech