Hanwha Q CELLS Wins Contract to Build 63MW Floating Solar Power Plant at Goheungho, Jeonnam

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Hanwha Q CELLS secured an order for a 63MW (megawatt) class floating solar power plant at Goheungho, Jeollanam-do on the 18th. Following the sole commencement of the Hapcheon Dam floating solar power plant, the world's largest floating solar power plant by dam standards, in December last year, Hanwha Q CELLS demonstrated its strength as a leader in the floating solar power business by also securing the Goheungho project.

The Goheungho floating solar power plant, commissioned by Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., will be constructed through a joint execution method by Hanwha Q CELLS as the main contractor, along with Hanyang Co., Ltd. and Dasco Co., Ltd. Hanwha Q CELLS holds a 50% stake in the contract amount of 111.6 billion KRW. The joint execution method involves two or more companies in the same industry sharing the construction work according to their respective shares.

Hanwha Q CELLS plans to construct the power plant in the shape of the moon to symbolize the Naro Space Center, which is located in Goheung-gun, the launch site of the Naro rocket, representing a leap toward space. Scheduled for completion in the third quarter of next year, this power plant will generate electricity sufficient for approximately 90,000 households annually, which exceeds the entire population of Goheung-gun, 63,922 people.

The floating solar power plant combines onshore solar technology with floating structure technology, constructing the solar power plant on structures floating on water. Floating solar power efficiently utilizes idle water surfaces, making effective use of national land, and has advantages such as less shadow impact compared to onshore solar power and a cooling effect on the modules, resulting in about 10% higher power generation.

The environmental stability of floating solar power plants has also been verified. The Korea Environment Institute conducted monitoring four times at the Hapcheonho solar power demonstration complex and concluded that the solar power facilities are unlikely to have a negative environmental impact. The institute investigated water quality and aquatic ecosystems, reporting no significant differences between water areas affected by the power facilities and those unaffected, with most parameters below standard levels.

Hanwha Q CELLS will install its floating solar-specific module, Q.PEAK DUO Poseidon, at this power plant. Produced with eco-friendly materials, the Q.PEAK DUO Poseidon applies internal standards exceeding KS certification criteria, including exposure testing for over 3,000 hours in environments of 85 degrees Celsius and 85% relative humidity, making it a product specialized for high-temperature and humid conditions. Hanwha Q CELLS has achieved cumulative sales of 100MW of Q.PEAK DUO Poseidon through the Goheungho floating solar project and plans to actively utilize this module, which has verified safety for floating use, going forward.

Kim Hee-chul, President of Hanwha Q CELLS, stated, "Floating solar power generation, which produces eco-friendly electricity by utilizing idle water surfaces, is the optimal solution for making use of limited national land," adding, "We will construct the Goheungho floating solar power plant with a world-recognized high-quality solution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.