China and Norway revolutionize hybrid solar fish farming: why it can work everywhere

Quick Overview

China leads the world in both solar PV deployment and aquaculture production, setting the stage for hybrid fishery-solar farms that are now gaining international attention, exemplified by a project in Norway that successfully reduced diesel dependence by 90% using floating solar technology.

Key Points: China is the world leader in solar PV deployment, accounting for 55% of installed solar capacity in 2024, and also leads global aquaculture production at 79.29 million tonnes in 2021. Dajin Heavy Industry installed 370,000 bifacial solar panels over fish ponds in Tongshan, China, which capture sunlight on both sides, increasing efficiency by utilizing reflected light off the water. This hybrid system is projected to generate 400 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, saving 120,000 tons of coal and reducing CO2 emissions by 320,000 tons. Water-based solar farms can be up to 15% more efficient than terrestrial ones due to the cooling effect of the water, which also improves aquatic life metabolism and reduces disease outbreaks. The concept is expanding globally, with Norwegian companies Emilson Fisk and Alotta installing the world's northernmost floating solar farm in Båfjordstranda, Norway, cutting diesel generator dependence by 90%. The Norwegian system, known as Alotta Circle Mc120, uses high-efficiency solar panels and battery storage to be self-sufficient, which is ideal for remote coastal aquaculture facilities. The success of the Norwegian project, despite the low sunlight conditions (only 2 to 3 hours of sun daily in winter), proves the viability of these hybrid systems everywhere.

Context: The video, titled "Inside China Business," explores the intersection of renewable energy and aquaculture in China, highlighting China's dominance in both sectors. It focuses on the innovative development of hybrid fishery-solar farms, where solar panels are installed above fish ponds. The context then broadens to show that this technology is being adopted internationally, specifically noting a successful, albeit challenging, deployment in Norway due to its extreme northern latitude and low winter sunlight.