China connected the first stage of the world’s largest offshore solar power plant, with a design capacity of 1 GW, to the power grid. The facility is situated approximately eight kilometers from the coast of Shandong province and has already commenced commercial electricity generation, Electrek reports.
The station is mounted on piles in a shallow area, and the total development area will potentially exceed 1,200 hectares. A key feature of the project is the integration of power generation and aquaculture: the space beneath the solar panels is intended for cultivating seafood.
A specialized platform with GPS positioning was utilized for construction, which enabled precise pile installation. The solar panels are assembled into large segments measuring 60 by 35 meters. Bifacial panels are employed, angled at 15 degrees to capture light reflected from the water.
The generated electricity is transmitted ashore via 66 kV subsea cables and then enters the general power system through a 220 kV substation. The station’s security is maintained by an intelligent monitoring system that tracks weather conditions and structural integrity, according to Zhukovsky.life.
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