Singapore put solar panels on the sea expecting waves to be the biggest challenge, but barnacles had other plans

Imagine covering the sea with thousands of solar panels to overcome a shortage of land, only to discover that the ocean has plans of its own.

With limited space for large-scale renewable energy projects, Singapore has taken solar power onto the waters of the Strait of Johor. One such project, developed by Sunseap Group, features thousands of solar panels mounted on a vast network of floating pontoons, helping the land-scarce city-state generate clean electricity without using valuable ground space.

Read more - A Florida couple bought a 45-acre swamp to save it from development; 15 years later, 275 wood storks were nesting there in a thriving wildlife haven


But the warm tropical waters have brought an unexpected complication. Barnacles, mussels, algae and other marine organisms have attached themselves to the floating structures, creating a phenomenon known as biofouling.

According to Energies Media, this marine growth can add significant weight to the floating platforms, affecting their buoyancy and creating further challenges involving corrosion, equipment and maintenance.

Read more - Green Card holder who spent 30 years in US detained even after court case was terminated: Indian-origin grandma had no criminal record, & her daughter is an immigration lawyer

Why is Singapore using the sea for floating solar farms?

Singapore has a major geographical constraint when it comes to expanding renewable energy. The island nation has limited land, while available space must also accommodate homes, businesses, infrastructure and green areas.

That makes traditional large-scale solar farms difficult to build.

As part of its Green Plan 2030, Singapore has therefore explored alternative locations for renewable energy infrastructure, including reservoirs and coastal waters.

Floating solar farms allow panels to be installed without occupying valuable land on the island.

According to Energies Media, the Sunseap project in the Strait of Johor uses 13,312 solar panels supported by around 30,000 floating pontoons. The 5-megawatt installation was designed to generate enough electricity to power more than 1,200 homes.

The project reportedly produces nearly 6 million kWh of clean electricity each year, while helping offset more than 4,200 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

What is biofouling and why is it a problem for floating solar panels?

Once floating solar platforms are placed in seawater, they become part of the marine environment.

Micro-organisms, algae, barnacles and mussels can attach themselves to pontoons, anchors and other underwater components. This unwanted accumulation of marine life is known as biofouling.

In Singapore's warm tropical waters, conditions can be particularly favourable for rapid marine growth.

The problem goes beyond appearance. As organisms accumulate, they can create dense layers that add considerable weight to floating structures.

Research associated with the STEWART project, titled Science-based environmentally friendly new layout for floating PV, found that marine biological growth could increase the mass of a floating structure by nearly 43%.

That additional weight can reduce the buoyancy of the platforms and cause them to sit lower in the water.

How can barnacles affect the performance of a floating solar farm?

Reduced buoyancy can create a chain reaction of problems. When floating platforms sit lower in the water, components that were designed to remain above the waterline can become more exposed to seawater.

Saltwater itself is highly corrosive, and prolonged exposure can accelerate deterioration of equipment. Biofouling can further complicate the situation by creating additional physical and mechanical stress.

Marine growth can also interfere with moving components, including hinges that allow solar arrays to adjust to wave movement.

If connectors or other electrical components become exposed to water, they could potentially suffer faults or damage, affecting the plant's ability to generate electricity.

Which mussels are colonising Singapore's floating solar structures?

The problem is not limited to barnacles. A rapid assessment study published by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) identified several non-native marine organisms that have been spreading in the region.

One of them is the American brackish-water mussel, Mytella strigata, which has been reported along Singapore's northern coast since 2016.

The species can form dense mats, with colonies sometimes reaching thousands of individuals.

Another species identified in the region is Mytilopsis sallei, commonly known as the black-striped mussel.

Such organisms can compete with native marine species while also creating additional fouling on man-made structures.

Can floating solar farms be redesigned to reduce biofouling?

Engineers are exploring ways to design floating solar systems that are better suited to marine environments.

According to The Straits Times, Sunseap's modular floating system underwent testing for corrosion and biofouling before being deployed at sea.

Research from the STEWART project has also proposed a design approach known as geometric separation.

The concept involves positioning vulnerable components, such as hinges and panel edges, higher above the waterline. Keeping these areas away from the zone where marine organisms are most likely to accumulate could reduce the impact of biofouling.

Solar manufacturers are also using reinforced glass and corrosion-resistant materials designed to withstand prolonged exposure to harsh marine conditions.

How much maintenance does a floating solar farm need?

A floating solar plant cannot simply be installed and left untouched. According to Energies Media, the Sunseap project requires specialised marine maintenance, including regular inspection of the floating platforms and cleaning of the solar panels.

Workers must monitor the condition of pontoons, anchors, electrical equipment and other infrastructure while dealing with the continuing accumulation of marine organisms.

Maintenance can become more complicated and expensive when biofouling is particularly severe.

Can technology help monitor barnacle growth?

Newer floating solar projects are increasingly looking towards digital monitoring systems to manage the problem.

Sensors and remote monitoring technologies can track the condition of floating structures and potentially identify changes in buoyancy, weight and equipment performance.

Digital models may also help operators predict when maintenance is required rather than relying entirely on scheduled inspections.

Such systems could allow operators to identify excessive marine growth before it becomes a serious structural or electrical problem.


Inputs from TOI