Advocating for Floating Solar
Advocating for Floating SolarAdvocating for Floating SolarAdvocating for Floating Solar
In the Colorado River Basin and beyond.
Mission
Water Wise Solar Solutions was formed to study the application of Utility Scale Floating Photovoltaic Solar Arrays as an effective mitigation strategy for evaporative water loss within the Colorado River Basin.
Colorado River Basin (CRB) Water Supply
Saving Water with Floating Solar
Notable International FPV Arrays with Local Application
May 5, 2025
Though FPV is not prevalent in the United States, large systems already exist in other parts of the world, notably Asia. These particular examples are included due to their large size and possibly similar applications here in the Western U.S.
- Dezhou Dingzhuang Floating Solar Farm, China – 320 MW
Located in Dezhou, Shandong Province, this 320 MW FPV project is currently the largest of its kind globally. Developed by Huaneng Power International, it features an 8 MWh energy storage system and a 100 MW wind farm, forming a hybrid renewable energy complex. The facility is expected to generate approximately 550 million kWh annually. This project could be a model for the Mona Reservoir, New Mexico Lake or Rocky Ford Reservoir energy complex concept described in the case studies.
- Cixi Floating Solar-Aquaculture Hybrid, China – 200 MW
The 200 MW floating solar farm in Cixi City, Zhejiang Province, is a groundbreaking example of dual-use renewable energy infrastructure. Situated on the Zhouxiang and Changhe reservoirs, roughly 150 km south of Shanghai, the system spans 300 hectares and generates an estimated 220 GWh annually—enough to power 100,000 homes. It also offsets approximately 7.4 tons of coal usage per year.
Construction began in June 2016 and finished by December of the same year. Solar panel spacing allows sunlight to penetrate the water, supporting fish growth underneath—a model of integration between energy generation and aquaculture.
The project included the installation of 14.29 km of undersea power cable and two 110-kV booster stations constructed by the State Grid Corporation of China. Funded by Hangzhou Fengling at a cost of ¥1.8 billion ($260 million USD), the farm is expected to pay for itself within 7–8 years based on combined energy and aquaculture revenues. This financial outlook is based on an annual income of 240 million yuan ($35 million) from electricity sales to the state grid and an additional 13 million yuan ($2 million) per year from the fishery operations.
With the volume of existing fishing related recreational traffic at many of the applicable reservoirs and the ability to often use existing reservoir operating staff, aquaculture should be a added value to the community, especially in lue of fishing surface area taken up by the FPV array.
- Three Gorges New Energy Floating Solar Farm, China – 150 MW
Located in Huainan City, Anhui Province, this 150 MW installation was built on a former coal mining lake and completed in 2017. The project demonstrates a powerful example of environmental restoration through renewable energy, generating enough electricity to power approximately 94,000 households. This could serve as a model for a couple of the industrial sites in Utah such as the Simplot Phosphates site located North of Vernal near Red Fleet State Park.
Saemangeum Tidal Flat FPV Project, South Korea – 2.1 GW (Proposed)
The Saemangeum FPV project, proposed by the South Korean government, is expected to become the largest floating solar installation in the world. Located on the tidal flats of the Yellow Sea near Gunsan, this project will cover approximately 30 square kilometers and deliver up to 2.1 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity.
The project is designed to support South Korea’s carbon neutrality goals while revitalizing the local economy through green infrastructure investment. It will be developed in phases, with the first portion of 300 MW underway and completion targeted by the early 2030s. The Saemangeum initiative stands as a global benchmark in large-scale FPV ambition and could serve as a model for a huge array in the Great Salt Lake.
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