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Configure solarMalaysia has thousands of hectares of ex-mining pools, reservoirs, and aquaculture ponds that can generate clean energy through floating solar. No land required — just water.
Overview
Floating solar — also called floatovoltaics or aquavoltaics — is a solar power technology where photovoltaic panels are mounted on buoyant platforms that float on water bodies. Instead of occupying agricultural land or rooftops, these systems use otherwise underutilised water surfaces to generate clean electricity.
The panels float on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pontoons, anchored to the water body floor or shoreline using mooring cables. Waterproof cabling carries electricity to shore-based inverters and grid connection points. Modern floating solar systems are engineered to withstand waves, wind, and tropical storms.
The global floating solar market is growing at over 20% annually. Asia leads adoption — China, Japan, South Korea, and India have the most installed capacity. Malaysia is well-positioned to accelerate its own floating solar pipeline given its abundant water bodies, high solar irradiance, and growing renewable energy targets under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
Advantages
Floating solar uses water surfaces that are otherwise unproductive. In land-scarce Malaysia, this preserves agricultural and forest land for their primary purposes.
Water cools the underside of panels through evaporation and conduction. Cooler panels perform better — solar panels lose about 0.4% efficiency per degree Celsius above 25°C.
Panels shade the water surface, reducing evaporation by 30–70%. This is particularly valuable for reservoir water management and aquaculture operations.
Every hectare of floating solar installed is one hectare of Malaysia's precious agricultural land that doesn't need to be converted. Critical for food security.
Malaysia has thousands of ex-mining pools in Perak and Selangor — degraded land with little alternative use. Floating solar transforms these into productive energy assets.
Floating solar can scale from 100kW on a small aquaculture pond to 500MW+ on large reservoirs. Malaysia's Pergau and Kenyir hydroelectric reservoirs represent massive potential.
Local Context
Malaysia's floating solar development is still in its early stages but moving fast. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has been evaluating floating solar installations at several hydroelectric dam reservoirs, including feasibility studies related to the Pergau Dam project in Kelantan. Combining hydro and floating solar creates a "hydro-floating solar hybrid" — solar generates power during the day while water reserves are conserved for peak-demand turbine generation.
Ex-mining pools in Perak (particularly around Taiping and Ipoh) and Selangor (Rawang, Batang Berjuntai) represent some of the most accessible near-term floating solar sites. These water bodies are often privately owned, have no competing agricultural use, and are located close to existing grid infrastructure.
Aquaculture ponds in coastal areas of Johor, Perak, and Kelantan present another opportunity — floating panels over fish and shrimp ponds can reduce algae blooms, stabilise water temperature, and generate electricity simultaneously. This model is already commercially operating in Indonesia and Thailand.
Under Malaysia's Large Scale Solar (LSS) programme and the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS), floating solar projects can qualify to sell electricity to utilities or directly to corporate buyers under Virtual PPAs.
Technical
Pontoons are anchored using tension mooring lines attached to concrete anchors or driven piles on the water body floor. The system must accommodate water level fluctuations of 1–5 metres for reservoirs.
Minimum water depth of 1 metre is recommended. Shallower water complicates anchoring and increases sediment disturbance risk. Most Malaysian mining pools and reservoirs exceed this threshold.
Projects above 50kW typically require an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Key concerns include shading impact on aquatic vegetation, dissolved oxygen levels, and wildlife access to water bodies.
Floating solar covering less than 30% of a water body surface is generally considered compatible with fish habitat. Above this threshold, careful monitoring of water quality parameters (DO, pH, temperature) is essential.
Comparison
| Factor | Floating Solar | Rooftop Solar | Ground-Mount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Required | None (water body) | None (existing roof) | Yes (dedicated land) |
| Installation Cost | High (RM 3.5–4.5/W) | Medium (RM 2.5–3.5/W) | Medium (RM 2.8–3.8/W) |
| Energy Yield | Higher (+5–10%) | Standard | Standard |
| Scalability | Medium to Utility | Small to Large | Medium to Utility |
| Maintenance | Moderate (boat access) | Easy | Easy |
| Evaporation Reduction | Yes (30–70%) | N/A | N/A |
| Environmental EIA | Often required | Not required | Usually required |
| Best For | Mining pools, reservoirs | Factories, commercial | Open land, solar farms |
FAQ
Floating solar (also called floatovoltaics or aquavoltaics) is a solar power system where panels are mounted on buoyant platforms that float on water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, mining pools, and dams. The water cools the panels, improving energy output by 5–10% compared to land-based systems.
Suitable water bodies in Malaysia include ex-mining pools in Perak and Selangor, reservoirs, hydroelectric dam catchments (e.g., Pergau), aquaculture ponds, and industrial retention ponds. The water body must be at least 1 metre deep and relatively calm.
Yes, floating solar typically costs 10–25% more than equivalent ground-mount solar due to the specialised floating platforms, anchoring systems, and waterproof cabling required. However, the higher energy yield and lack of land cost can offset this premium over the project lifetime.
When properly designed, floating solar has minimal impact on aquatic ecosystems. Panels shade the water, reducing algae growth and evaporation. Fish habitat compatibility depends on the water body type and coverage percentage. Environmental impact assessments (EIA) are required for larger projects.
Floating solar systems are designed with a 25–30 year lifespan, similar to land-based systems. Pontoons are typically made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) rated for UV exposure and water contact. Annual maintenance includes cleaning, mooring checks, and electrical inspections.
Yes — this is a growing application in Asia called aquavoltaics. Solar panels are installed on fish or shrimp farming ponds, shading the water to reduce evaporation and algae, while generating electricity. Malaysia's extensive aquaculture industry makes this a promising area for development.
Trexon evaluates floating solar feasibility for mining pool owners, reservoir operators, and aquaculture businesses in Malaysia. Book the RM100 priority site visit; the full RM100 is credited when you proceed.