Solarplaza, NL, Name QE2 Floating Solar Array 3rd Largest in the World!
In March 2016, Lightsource installed Europe’s largest ever solar PV system on a deep body of water. With a surface area of 57,000 square meters, and containing 23,046 solar panels on the surface of the Queen Elizabeth II reservoir in Surrey, powering Thames Water via private wire, this floating solar farm is the third largest on the planet, according to Solarplaza.
More and more PV plants across the world are being installed on water. Only three floating solar plants had ever been built before 2014. Over the past two years this number has grown to over 70 plants spread across the world, which has led many people to believe that this is the potential start of a new PV boom. These so called ‘floating solar systems’ (or ‘floatovoltaics’) are an appropriate solution to situations where roof and/or ground space is limited. But just how big is this niche? Where are these floating plants located and what is their size?
| Rank | Size (kw) | Name of reservior (lake) / Name of Plant | Country | City/Province | Operating from |
| 1 | 20000 | Coal mining subsidence area of Huainan City | China | Anhui Province | April, 2016 |
| 2 | 7500 | Kawashima Taiyou to shizen no megumi Solarpark | Japan | Saitama | October, 2015 |
| 3 | 6338 | Queen Elizabeth II reservoir | UK | London | March, 2016 |
| 4 | 3000 | Otae Province | South Korea | Sangju City Gyeongsang Bukdo | October, 2015 |
| 5 | 3000 | Jipyeong Province | South Korea | Sangju City Gyeongsang Bukdo | October, 2015 |
| 6 | 2991 | Godley Reservoir Floating Solar PV | UK | Godley | January, 2016 |
| 7 | 2449 | Tsuga Ike | Japan | Mie | August, 2016 |
| 8 | 2398 | Sohara Ike | Japan | Mie | March, 2016 |
| 9 | 2313 | Sakasama Ike | Japan | Hyogo | April, 2015 |
| 10 | 2000 | Reservior in Kumagaya city | Japan | Saitama | December, 2014 |
| 11 | 2000 | Kinuura Lumberyard | Japan | Aichi | February, 2016 |
| 12 | 2000 | Yado Ooike (Sun Lakes Yado) | Japan | Hyogo | January, 2016 |
| 13 | 1751 | Hirono Shinike | Japan | Hyogo | September, 2016 |
| 14 | 1708 | Yakenoike | Japan | Hyogo | July, 2016 |
| 15 | 1700 | Nishi Hiraike | Japan | Hyogo | April, 2015 |
Read the full article here
Related news
03 Apr, 2025
Brazil: Milagres named among top solar developers in 2024
Lightsource bp’s Milagres solar farms have been recognised as top-performing renewable energy projects in Brazil, ranking among the top 20 solar developers by e-Power Bay.
02 Apr, 2025
Lightsource bp contributes to the World Economic Forum’s conversation on responsible renewables deployment practices
Lightsource bp’s Penny Laurenson, Global Head of Sustainability, contributed to WEF’s conversation and thought leadership on responsible deployment practices.
19 Feb, 2025
10 Power Purchase Agreements signed and 1.3GW contracted in 2024
Lightsource bp achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by securing 10 power purchase agreements (PPAs) totalling 1.3GW across Europe, the Americas and APAC.
12 Feb, 2025
Lightsource bp enters Japan market with first renewable energy project
Lightsource bp, a global leader in renewable energy, has announced its entry into the Japanese market with the acquisition of a 15MWp solar project in Hokkaido.
29 Jan, 2025
Spain: Lightsource bp’s projects receive UNEF’s ‘Sustainability Excellence Certificate’
Lightsource bp’s utility scale projects Valle 3 and Valle 4 have been recognised with the prestigious UNEF ‘Sustainability Excellence Certificate’.
08 Jan, 2025
Portugal: Exus Renewables acquires Lightsource bp’s 130MWp Cibele Portuguese solar farm
Acquisition strengthens Exus’ growing European renewable energy portfolio, and rising position as a global independent power producer
15 Dec, 2024
Australia: Lightsource bp reaches major milestone on solar and battery projects to deliver firmed renewable energy solutions
Lightsource bp announces it is commencing construction on its Goulburn River hybrid project and its Woolooga Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
29 Oct, 2024
Wool quality and sustainability: Insights from Lightsource bp’s Wellington solar farm
Lightsource bp has seen promising results from the second round of wool testing at its Wellington solar farm, in New South Wales, Australia.
24 Oct, 2024
bp completes acquisition of Lightsource bp
bp has completed its acquisition of the remaining 50.03% interest in Lightsource bp.
17 Oct, 2024
Honeysuckle Solar: Recharging American Energy
Indiana reaps benefits of American-made energy investment as Lightsource bp’s Honeysuckle Solar goes online.