Solar power plant floating in Japan

Japan built two power plants floating on the water, exploiting solar energy enough to supply 1,000 households.

Japan built two floating solar power houses

The two factories are built on two reservoirs in Nishihira and Higashihira in Kato City, using 11,250 solar panels and generating a total power of about 3,300 MWh per year.

Solar panels at power plants in Japan.(Photo: Wired)

The construction of a floating water plant is more difficult on land, but it brings more benefits , especially for a country with a small and middle-of-the-sea land area like Japan. Because of the need to use cooling water, the installation of solar panels on the water will yield about 11% higher efficiency, saving energy compared to land. Solar panels lining the water also work against storms.

According to Wired, this is one of many alternatives to Japan's nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Over the past few years, the country has attempted to double its solar power capacity.

Around the world, some other countries are also working on similar models. Brazil plans to install a floating plant near the Balbina hydropower plant, when the hydropower model is facing critics about environmental destruction.