Sinopec Commences China's First Floating Offshore PV Project in Full-Seawater Environment

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, joining hands with Shandong Province and Qingdao Municipality, has successfully commenced operations of China's first commercial floating offshore photovoltaic (PV) project in a full-seawater environment.

Integrated with the pile-based floating PV project launched previously, it is the largest floating PV power station of Sinopec.

The Project is set to generate 16.7 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions by 14,000 tons. Serving as a pioneering initiative, it aims to promote floating photovoltaic projects in coastal and shallow sea areas within full-seawater environments.

Situated in a sea-connected water area, the floating PV utilizes the seawater surface to optimize space efficiency. Covering approximately 60,000 square meters with an installed capacity of 7.5 megawatts, the station features a zero-emission, high-efficiency, low-cost design. Its innovative structure allows the photovoltaic panels to synchronize with tidal elevations, reducing the distance between the panels and the water surface to about one-tenth of traditional pile-based structures.

This design optimizes seawater cooling, enhancing power generation efficiency by 5-8 percent through the cooling effect.

Sinopec overcame the challenges of applying PV technology in seawater environments through three key innovations. First, a durable design was implemented using specially engineered floats and supports that are resistant to salt mist corrosion and barnacle growth.

Second, a robust anchoring system was developed, featuring an underwater structure capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to level 13 and accommodating tidal variations of 3.5 meters. This system also reduces investment costs by approximately 10 percent compared to traditional pile-based PV systems.

Third, enhanced maintenance accessibility was achieved through a streamlined inspection pathway for PV panels and cables positioned close to the water's surface, significantly improving safety and lowering operating and maintenance costs compared to conventional systems.