Solar farm on the ocean outperforms land-based solar in Taiwan
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- Chenya Energy built a 181‑MW offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) project on 1.8 km² of water in a protected bay of an industrial park in western Taiwan during 2020‑21.
- Taiwan Power Company installed a 100‑MW land‑based photovoltaic (LPV) farm on 1.4 km² near the same bay a year earlier, providing a direct performance comparison.
- Floating solar farm generated 12 % more electricity per megawatt and delivered an 11 % net profit, versus 8 % net profit for the land‑based farm, despite higher O&M costs.
- Ching‑Feng Chen of National Taipei University of Technology attributes the efficiency boost to cooler water temperatures (2‑3 °C lower) and stronger winds over the sea.
- Offshore floating solar installation costs are roughly 30 % higher than land installations due to corrosion, humidity, and wave‑resistance requirements.
Why it matters: Taiwan’s power grid gains 12 % more electricity per megawatt and higher profit margins, reducing reliance on imported fuels and bolstering energy security amid geopolitical strain.
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