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With the advancement in solar technology, costs have fallen by 50% over the last six years. Solar is expected to be the world’s most common energy source by 2050, with generation costs pegged at only US$0.02-0.04 per kilowatt hour. As the growth potential for ground-mounted solar installations may be slightly dampened by the availability of land resource in some regions, floating photovoltaic is a practical alternative.

REC has partnered PT Kas Green Energy, a local independent power producer (IPP), to introduce the concept of a floating solar installation through a pilot project at Electricity & Renewable Energy Museum (Museum Listrik dan Energi Baru - MLEB), Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. This is the only Science and Technology museum in Indonesia with a collection of Electricity and Renewable Energy exhibits. The 5 kilowatt peak floating PV installation at MLEB’s man-made lake features 20 REC Peak Energy Series panels. The PV demo display helps to  educate and generate  environmental awareness at the MLEB. The installation of the solar panels was completed on 6 May 2016. With the installation of this 5kWp floating PV,MLEB expects to have an energy  yield of 1,295kWh/kWp. This will in turn generate 6.7 MWh of energy annually, an equivalent of 5.8 Tons CO2 savings annually.

Indonesia is a new and emerging market with untapped potential for further growth and adoption of solar. One of the largest and most populous countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been facing stable grid connectivity challenges. To mitigate its fossil fuel dependencies, its policy-makers have encouraged the greater adoption of clean and renewable energy in the country’s energy mix.

Torgeir Ulset, REC’s Vice President for Sales and Marketing in Asia-Pacific said, “We are delighted to support our high-performing solar panels for this pilot floating PV installation in Indonesia. Stringent tests have confirmed REC’s Peak Energy solar panels to be suitable for deployment at floating solar installations. The high standards of reliability, performance and quality are consistent with the rooftop and ground-mounted installations. With a reliable power output and high quality standards, adopters of floating solar installations can be assured of the long-term performance of their REC solar panels. Therefore, REC extended its product and performance guarantee to floating applications.”

Kukuh Apriyanto, the President Director of PT Kas Green Energy shared, “This inaugural floating PV installation in Indonesia is a public showcase of how valuable land can be conserved and unused water surface can become profitable solar power plants. Floating solar panels conserve precious land for farming, tourism and other land-intensive activities.”

REC believes that with sizes that range from a few kilowatts to several megawatts, floating solar installations can power thousands of households, and enable, otherwise underutilized artificial freshwater bodies to double up as real estate for floating solar installations. In general, various fresh water reservoirs are suitable – wastewater ponds at water treatment facilities and chemical plants, irrigation storage ponds at farms or vineyards, dam reservoirs and aquacultures, all largely available in most countries. Furthermore, with panels shading the water surface, there is less evaporation and photosynthesis in the water itself, which means less algae to clear from ponds.

No major excavation, concrete foundation or banks occupation of the lake are required. REC solar panels are quickly installed on Hydrelio© pontoons which are 100% recyclable and are easy to dismantle. Made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), they can be installed safely on drinking water reservoirs and are resistant to UV light.

REC Group will be showcasing its high-quality, tariff-free solar panel solutions at Booth A3M2-01 during Solartech Indonesia. This is a prominent Solar Power & PV Technology Exhibition which takes place at the JIExpo Kemayoran Jakarta, Indonesia  from 18 to 20 May 2016.  

For more information, please contact:
Jacqueline Wong (Miss)
Corporate Communications Manager
REC Solar Pte. Ltd.
230 Victoria Street, Bugis Junction Tower, #11-05/07
Singapore 188024
Telephone: +65 64 95 90 63
Email: jacqueline.wong [at] recgroup.com

About REC:
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016, REC is a leading European brand of solar panels. Through integrated manufacturing from polysilicon to wafers, cells, panels and turnkey solar solutions, REC strives to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. Founded in 1996, REC is a Bluestar Elkem company with headquarters in Norway and operational headquarters in Singapore. REC concluded 2015 with 2,000 employees worldwide, 1.3 GW solar panel production capacity, and annual revenues of USD 755 million.

Find out more about REC at www.recgroup.com