Dealing with uncertainties: Floating solar farm in natural lakes

Abstract

Floating solar farm has been demonstrated as technically and commercially viable in man-made lakes, ponds and in coal-mining subsidence areas. Studies on its environmental impacts are limited and some are still being conducted globally. The use of natural lakes for this kind of renewable energy generation is being explored for the first time in the Philippines, particularly in Laguna de Bay. It is considered as a potential development project, but there were concerns on the environmental and social impacts on a multiple-use lake. As an initial step to deal with uncertainties, the Laguna Lake Development Authority allowed the operation of floating solar farms on a pilot scale for one year subject to certain requirements including the monitoring of essential water quality parameters in the pilot sites to determine the impacts. The data together with the inputs from the operators of the pilot projects were used in the assessment of the environmental, technical and commercial viability of floating solar farm and was used by the Laguna Lake Development Authority in formulating a policy on this emerging use of the lake and in crafting the implementing rules and regulations.