Floating solar farms are quickly becoming a game-changer in the renewable energy landscape. By making clever use of lakes, reservoirs, and other bodies of water, these installations generate clean power without taking up valuable land. In this list, we’ll take a closer look at some of the biggest and most impressive floating solar farms around the world, each showing just how far this technology has come.
1. Anhui Fuyang Floating Solar Farm – China
Capacity & Scale:
With a generation capacity of 650 MW, Anhui Fuyang holds the title of the world’s largest floating solar farm. Spreading across a former subsidence area from coal mining, this site transforms abandoned land into a vast renewable energy asset.
Key Innovation:
This project introduces a fishery-solar hybrid model, pairing aquaculture with PV infrastructure. Serving dual environmental and economic uses, the scheme exemplifies how nature and energy production can coexist sustainably.
Year/Developer:
The project was completed in late 2023 by China Three Gorges Corporation.
Why It Matters:
Anhui Fuyang underscores China’s ability to scale floating PV megaprojects. Beyond sheer size, it sets a benchmark for remediation of degraded land through green infrastructure.
Notable Features:
- Covers approximately 13,000 acres of former mining terrain
- Incorporates 1.2 million solar modules and 85.8 million floating components
- Generates nearly 700 GWh annually while reducing coal use and emissions
2. Wenzhou Taihan Fishing-Solar Hybrid Project – China
Capacity & Scale:
At 550 MW, Wenzhou Taihan stands as the largest aquaculture-PV hybrid installation in Asia. Floating above tidal lands, it reclaims marine-adjacent spaces with impactful energy generation.
Key Innovation:
The design marries fish farming with solar panels, enabling simultaneous food production and renewable energy output. This approach optimises marine land use and creates a multifunctional ecosystem.
Year/Developer:
It was connected to the grid in December 2021 by Astronergy (CHINT Solar).
Why It Matters:
Wenzhou Taihan illustrates how floating solar can thoughtfully integrate with aquaculture and coastal livelihoods. Its success signals a promising path for food-energy synergy in densely populated, water-limited regions.
Notable Features:
- Deploys 1.396 million ASTRO 5 PV modules (450 W each)
- Delivers about 650 million kWh annually, cutting coal use and CO₂ emissions significantly
- Operated with smart drone-assisted O&M via CHINT’s Epower platform
3. Les Îlots Blandin – France
Capacity & Scale:
Les Îlots Blandin is Europe’s largest floating solar park, with a capacity of 74.3 MWp. The site spans 127 hectares of decommissioned gravel pits, turning previously unused industrial land into a renewable energy zone.
Key Innovation:
By repurposing quarry basins for floating PV, the project regenerates artificial landscapes and integrates a minor onshore component for enhanced output. The design also exceeds standard tender constraints through strategic layout and local modular manufacturing.
Year/Developer:
Q ENERGY initiated development in 2019, and the plant was inaugurated in June 2025 in collaboration with Velto Renewables.
Why It Matters:
Les Îlots Blandin showcases Europe’s capacity to redevelop brownfield sites with clean energy infrastructure. It also demonstrates a successful cross-sector partnership and a replicable model for sustainable land reuse.
Notable Features:
- Uses over 135,000 panels on floating structures built by Ciel & Terre
- Supplies clean electricity to roughly 37,000 people while avoiding ~18,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- Integrated €50 million funding via Crédit Agricole and Bpifrance, with 50% acquired by Velto Renewables in 2025
4. Chang-Bin Floating Solar Farm – Taiwan
Capacity & Scale:
At 440 MW, Chang-Bin ranks among the largest floating PV installations globally. Its vast scale helps meet Taiwan’s growing renewable energy goals while conserving scarce land.
Key Innovation:
This installation integrates floating solar with reservoir infrastructure, maximising water assets for clean energy. The deployment offers a model for efficient use of water bodies in dense regions.
Year/Developer:
The farm became operational in 2023, though the developer is not specified in available sources.
Why It Matters:
This project highlights Taiwan’s commitment to scaling floating solar technology as part of its renewable transition. By leveraging reservoirs, it demonstrates a strategic approach to repurposing existing water infrastructure.
Notable Features:
- Among the world’s top five floating solar installations
- Strategically utilises reservoir surface to avoid land conflicts
- Provides clean electricity to support Taiwan’s energy diversification goals
5. Cirata Floating Solar Farm – Indonesia
Capacity & Scale:
With a capacity of 192 MW, Cirata is one of Southeast Asia’s largest floating PV farms. The project rides on an existing hydropower reservoir, blending energy generation methods for synergetic use.
Key Innovation:
This installation merges solar power with hydropower infrastructure to smooth generation profiles. Integrating the two offers grid balancing and land-use efficiency.
Year/Developer:
Operational since 2023, the farm is part of Indonesia’s push toward hybrid renewable technologies.
Why It Matters:
Cirata exemplifies how hybrid energy systems can enhance grid reliability and renewables uptake. The project signifies Southeast Asia’s growing embrace of floating solar to address land constraints.
Notable Features:
- Installed on a hydroelectric reservoir for dual-mode energy
- Supports grid management through hybrid generation
- Flagship project in Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition
6. Dezhou Dingzhuang Floating Solar Farm – China
Capacity & Scale:
At 320 MW, Dezhou Dingzhuang stands as a major floating solar installation. It pairs solar energy with adjacent wind power to form a hybrid renewable setup.
Key Innovation:
Combining wind and solar on the same water body maximises clean energy output per unit area. This dual-technology approach enhances overall power reliability.
Year/Developer:
This hybrid farm became operational in the early 2020s; precise developer details aren’t listed in current sources.
Why It Matters:
By uniting wind and solar in one location, the project supports continuous generation and better grid integration. It represents China’s broader strategy of multi-source renewables.
Notable Features:
- Hybrid PV-plus-wind floating installation
- Efficient use of water surface for combined generation
- Helps stabilise renewable output for local grids
7. Three Gorges Floating Solar – China
Capacity & Scale:
The Three Gorges floating solar installation boasts a capacity of 150 MW. This substantial deployment forms part of China’s expansive floating PV portfolio.
Key Innovation:
The farm utilises existing reservoir infrastructure to deploy floating photovoltaic arrays. This approach minimises land impact and complements hydropower assets.
Year/Developer:
The solar array was completed in 2019 by the Three Gorges Group.
Why It Matters:
This facility underscores how floating solar can integrate with traditional hydropower systems. It has helped mainstream floating PV as a scalable renewable strategy in China.
Notable Features:
- Built atop a hydropower reservoir
- Demonstrates early adoption of floating solar in large-scale systems
- Adds renewable diversity to China’s flagship hydroelectric region
Why These Farms Stand Out
This isn’t a random collection. We set out to find the biggest and boldest floating solar projects making waves today. Here’s what we looked at:
- Size and capacity
We looked at the projects making a real impact in terms of scale, picking those with standout megawatt (MW) figures. - Innovation factor
It’s not just about size; we highlighted farms that brought something new or clever to the table, whether through technology, design, or sustainability. - Geographical spread
To show how widespread floating solar has become, we included projects from different parts of the world. - Recent and relevant
We focused on installations that are either recently completed or currently making headlines, so the list feels up-to-date. - Industry recognition
Finally, we checked whether these farms have been talked about in the energy world, featured in reports, or held up as examples of best practice.
The Bottom Line
From vast installations in Asia to pioneering projects in Europe, floating solar farms are showing us what’s possible when creativity meets renewable technology. Ready to explore how solar could transform your own energy strategy? Speak to Perfect Sense Energy today—we’d love to help you take the next step towards a greener future.
FAQs
What is a floating solar farm?
A floating solar farm is a solar power system built on bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, or ponds. Solar panels are mounted on buoyant platforms, reducing land use while generating renewable energy efficiently.
Why are floating solar farms important?
Floating solar farms help solve land scarcity issues, reduce water evaporation, and improve panel efficiency due to natural cooling from the water. They also allow renewable energy production in areas where land space is limited.
Which country has the largest floating solar farm?
China currently holds the record with some of the world’s largest floating solar farms, including massive projects in Anhui Province. These farms produce hundreds of megawatts of clean energy.
Do floating solar farms cost more than land-based solar?
Floating solar farms often have higher upfront installation costs due to specialised equipment. However, they can offer better long-term efficiency and additional benefits like water conservation, making them cost-effective over time.
Can floating solar be used in the UK?
Yes, floating solar is suitable for the UK. Projects have already been installed on reservoirs, showing strong potential for businesses and utilities to generate clean power without using up valuable land.
