Construction of Europe’s largest floating solar farm has started, Lightsource Renewable Energy has announced.
The UK-based firm is installing more than 23 000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the surface of the Queen Elizabeth II reservoir near London. It will have an installed capacity of 6.3 MWp and will help to power Thames Water’s nearby water treatment works.
The project is part of Thames Water’s ambitious bid to generate one-third of its own energy by 2020. Lightsource will install 61 000 floats and 177 anchors, which will provide the floating platform for the solar array.
The installation will cover approximately one-tenth of the reservoir’s surface, Lightsource says.
