China launches world’s first bamboo-framed floating solar farm

China has launched the world’s first 100-kilowatt (kW) floating solar farm built with bamboo frames, offering a more environmentally friendly approach to offshore energy.

The floating solar platform, named Jilin-2, is made of composite bamboo tubes and pipes. It has been deployed at a demonstration base off the coast of Yantai in the eastern province of Shandong.

It will supply power to an integrated hydrogen, ammonia and methanol production project, manufacturer Yantai CIMC Raffles Ocean Technology Group announced in late June.

“Compared to conventional steel or [high-density polythene] structures, the bamboo-based design significantly reduces marine environmental impact,” CIMC Raffles said.

The new platform builds upon an earlier 10kW prototype called Jilin-1 from 2023.

Jilin-2 was developed by the CIMC Offshore Engineering Research Institute, CIMC Raffles’ research arm, as well as China Forestry Group Corporation and Beijing Forestry University.