wiredinUSA May 2019

Chile’s first floating solar farm. Photograph courtesy of Lenergie

Floating PV ticks several boxes

Chile has its first floating solar farm installed and on a new type of site – a tailings pond, owned by the mining company AngloAmerican. Located at Los Bronces mines, north of Santiago, the 84kWp pilot project was developed by Lenergie, using island and anchoring systems designed and supplied by Ciel & Terre. The Chilean project is described as a “perfect mix” of technology and innovation to produce energy while protecting the environment. The Los Bronces floating PV plant will generate 153MWh of electricity for the company, with direct benefits in terms of carbon emissions and evaporation reduction.

space is substantial. Chile experiences severe levels of evaporation, adding a challenge in the company’s mining processes. Floating solar helps to manage evaporation. Minister for mines Baldo Prokurica said: “I believe this a great initiative and… that other companies should have such installations installed. As a minister, I feel much concerned by the tailings dam issue, obviously for safety reasons and for reconversion, but also to optimize the use of these water bodies in mining areas.” Floating PV projects are now regularly implemented on a self-consumption basis for commercial, industrial and utility-type users worldwide.

Mining is an energy-intensive industry, and AngloAmerican’s available reservoir

wiredInUSA - May 2019

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