Sinopec builds 7.5 MW floating solar plant for hydrogen chain

Sinopec, a China-based energy and chemical company, has launched China’s first commercial floating offshore photovoltaic project in a full-seawater environment. The project, located in Shandong Province, covers 60,000 square meters with an installed capacity of 7.5MW. According to Sinopec, it is expected to generate 16.7 millionkWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions by 14,000 tons. The floating structure lowers the panel-to-water surface distance by 90%, improving seawater cooling efficiency by 5–8%. Sinopec has equipped the project with salt mist-resistant floats and a sub-sea anchoring system designed for 3.5m tidal variations and level 13 wind speeds. These features reduce costs by nearly 10% and improve operational safety. Sinopec has also developed a seawater hydrogen project linked to this PV station and plans to expand the floating PV capacity by 23MW.