The WSD installed Hong Kong’s first floating solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Shek Pik Reservoir in February 2017. In this project, a set of 352 solar PV panels are installed over the reservoir surface to save both water resources and the environment by renewable energy. The system converts sunlight into electricity, which is supplied to the pumps at the nearby Shek Pik Valve Tower. Occupying about 1,100m2 (about 0.1% of the total reservoir surface), it is designed for an output power of 100kW that would harvest about 120,000 units of electricity annually, saving the electricity expenses of the pumping station by 25%. Besides, the PV system that covers some of the reservoir area will help reduce water evaporation of reservoirs and improve water quality by suppressing algae growth. The cooling effect brought by the reservoir water will also facilitate the efficiency of the system.
We invited the media to visit the system at the Shek Pik Reservoir in April 2017, and explained in detail its operation and efficiency as well as other related pilot projects.
