45 MW Thailand Floating Solar Farm Synchronized To Grid

• Grid synchronization for 45 MW hydro floating solar power plant on Thailand's Sirindhorn Dam successfully accomplished
• It is equipped with 144,420 high efficiency solar modules of China's JA Solar
• Project will enter commercial operations in October 2021, and will open to visitors to use the nature walkway in January 2022

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has announced successful grid synchronization of a 45 MW hydro floating solar hybrid project on Sirindhorn Dam on July 30, 2021. Commercial operations are due to be launched in October 2021.

Located in Ubon Ratchathani province, the 45 MW floating solar power project comprises 7 sets of solar arrays, covering approximately 121 hectares of water. EGAT called it the world's 'largest hybrid' project combining solar power and hydropower, bringing stability to the grid. It expects the project to bring down GHG emissions by around 47,000 tons annually.

Chinese solar module manufacturer JA Solar said it has supplied its 144,420 high efficiency modules for the project that's built by B.Grimm Power and Energy China (see Thai-Chinese Consortium To Build 45 MW Floating Solar).

EGAT further shared that the mooring system is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) which is the same material as water supply pipelines, making it safe for the environment and other aquatic animals.

The Thai authority has also established a nature walkway on site as a new check-in point and tourist attraction for visitors to see the country's largest floating solar project from a high angle. Once it is open to general public in January 2022, it is expected to act as a revenue generator for the local community.

EGAT said it is working on developing more hydro-floating solar hybrid projects for its dams targeting a total capacity of 2.725 GW, which may be scaled up to 5 GW for the company to chase a carbon neutral future.

In June 2020, JA Solar supplied its high efficiency PERC bifacial double glass modules for a 12.5 MW floating solar power plant in Thailand on an industrial reservoir, calling it the country's 1^st large scale floating PV plant (see 12.5 MW Floating Solar Plant Online In Thailand).