Floating Solar Panels Create Unexpected Haven for Salmon in Chile

Floating solar panels helped cut diesel use and also created a haven for salmon. (Picture source: Mowi.com)

A salmon farm off the coast of Chile has found an unexpected benefit after replacing diesel generators with floating solar panels. While the project was launched to cut emissions and reduce fuel use, the new system also created a quieter and more sheltered environment that has attracted thousands of salmon. The project was carried out at Mowi’s Huar Norte salmon farm in the Los Lagos region. The company partnered with AKVA group, Alotta Energy and Fjord Maritime to install a floating solar power system over the fish pens, The Pulse reported. The aim was to reduce the farm’s dependence on diesel and improve working conditions at the site.

For years, the offshore farm depended on diesel generators to provide regular electricity. Apart from generating carbon, they also created constant noise and vibrations in the water. Offshore fish farms are typically located far from the electricity grid which makes diesel generators the most viable source of power. Transporting fuel to remote locations increases operational costs and emissions, due to which companies consider alternatives like floating solar systems and battery storage.

After the floating solar panels were installed, the use of diesel significantly declined. The generators also became much quieter. Underwater noise and vibrations also decreased, resulting in a more tranquil environment for fish. The project brought together different companies with specific roles. AKVA group built the floating pens, Alotta Energy supplied the floating solar system, and Fjord Maritime provided battery storage to manage the power supply. According to the companies, the hybrid solar system now meets about 57% of the farm’s electricity needs. It also cuts the use of more than 36,000 gallons of diesel every year, reducing carbon emissions by around 386 tonnes annually. The lower diesel demand also means fewer fuel delivery boats need to travel to the farm.

While the main goal was to produce cleaner energy, the floating panels also changed the conditions in the water below. The panels cast shade over the fish pens, offering shelter from direct sunlight and protection from predatory birds. The quieter surroundings, along with cleaner conditions, encouraged large numbers of salmon to gather beneath the floating structures. Workers at the site say the fish have now made the shaded area under the panels their new home. The companies said similar behaviour has been seen elsewhere, where cod have also used shaded areas created by floating structures as shelter. Alotta Energy has already tested similar floating solar systems in Norway and also operates what it says is the world's northernmost floating solar plant. At the Chile site, the company says the project has made operations cleaner and safer while also bringing an unexpected benefit for marine life.