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

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3mPvEgFC_w
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/T3mPvEgFC_w
Generated: 2025-11-25T14:04:54.275+00:00

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## 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.

![Screenshot at 0:07: A graphic displaying that China is the world leader in solar PV deployment, holding a 55% share of total installed solar capacity in 2024.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/T3mPvEgFC_w/00-00-07.png)

**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.

## Detailed Analysis

China is highlighted as the world leader in both solar PV deployment (55% share in 2024) and global aquaculture production (79.29 million tonnes in 2021), making it the natural origin for hybrid fishery-solar farm technology. Dajin Heavy Industry's project in Tongshan, China, utilizes 370,000 bifacial solar panels installed above fish ponds, designed to capture sunlight from both sides, enhanced by light reflecting off the water surface. This project is expected to generate 400 million kWh of clean electricity annually, saving 120,000 tons of coal and reducing CO2 emissions by 320,000 tons, while simultaneously improving fish metabolism and reducing disease outbreaks. The advantage of water-based solar farms is their increased efficiency, cited as up to 15% higher than land-based farms due to water cooling. This trend is globalizing, exemplified by a project in Norway by Emilson Fisk and Alotta, which installed the world's northernmost floating solar farm in Båfjordstranda to reduce reliance on diesel generators, cutting diesel use by 90%. The Norwegian system, the Alotta Circle Mc120, combines solar panels with battery storage for self-sufficiency, proving effective even in low-light winter conditions where daylight is only 2 to 3 hours per day. The success in Norway suggests that this dual-use technology can be viable globally, even in challenging climates.

### China's Dominance in Renewables and Aquaculture

- China leads solar PV deployment with 55% share in 2024
- China leads global aquaculture production with 79.29 million tonnes (2021)
- China installed more solar capacity in the first half of 2025 than the rest of the world combined.

### The Dajin Hybrid Fishery-Solar Farm

- Installation of 370,000 bifacial solar panels above fish ponds in Tongshan, China
- Panels capture light from both sides, utilizing water reflection for efficiency gains
- Expected annual output: 400 million kWh of clean electricity, saving 120,000 tons of coal.

### Benefits of Water-Based Solar

- Water-based solar farms are up to 15% more efficient than terrestrial ones due to water cooling
- Shading reduces water temperature, improves aquatic life metabolism, and reduces aquaculture disease outbreaks.

### Global Adoption in Norway

- Emilson Fisk and Alotta installed the world's northernmost floating solar farm in Båfjordstranda, Norway
- The project aims to reduce dependence on diesel generators, which power 40% of Norwegian fish farms, cutting diesel use by 90%.

### Norwegian System Details

- The Alotta Circle Mc120 uses high-efficiency solar panels and battery storage for self-sufficient power
- This is vital for remote coastal aquaculture facilities
- The system works effectively even in winter with only 2-3 hours of daylight, proving viability in low-light conditions.

![Screenshot at 0:07: A graphic displaying that China is the world leader in solar PV deployment, holding a 55% share of total installed solar capacity in 2024.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/T3mPvEgFC_w/00-00-07.png)
![Screenshot at 0:26: A bar chart showing China's massive lead in Global Aquaculture Production by Country in 2021 \(79.29 million tonnes\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/T3mPvEgFC_w/00-00-26.png)
![Screenshot at 1:04: A screenshot from Interesting Engineering detailing the 370,000 solar panels on one of the world's largest hybrid fishery farms in China.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/T3mPvEgFC_w/00-01-04.png)
![Screenshot at 4:09: A text overlay detailing the extreme climate variations in Stranda, Norway, noting winter daylight is less than five hours.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/T3mPvEgFC_w/00-04-09.png)
![Screenshot at 4:45: A text box summarizing the success of the innovative solution in Norway, noting cuts in emissions and improved farm conditions, leading to a second system order.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/T3mPvEgFC_w/00-04-45.png)