BASF pilots floating solar system at US chemicals site
30 Mar 2023
Company’s polymer stabilisers used in proof-of-concept system at production facility in Alabama
Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF has installed a “first-of-its-kind” floating solar system at its production site in McIntosh, Alabama, the chemicals maker announced 29 March.
The structure, designed and constructed by Noria Energy, uses polymer stabilisers produced at BASF’s McIntosh site to prevent degradation of pontoons.
The project, explained BASF, is under its sustainability programme targeting the achievement of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Noria Energy’s solar system uses renewable energy to power three aerators used to improve the water quality of a scenic pond at the production facility.
While most costly to install than land-based solar systems, floating versions offer better operating efficiency due to cooler, more consistent temperatures from the surrounding water.
Attempts to lower installation costs have reduced the reliability of the system due to UV degradation and unpredictable failure of traditional pontoons over time.
In response, BASF’s polymer additives business, in collaboration with Noria Energy, developed a “highly reliable, innovative pontoon design at a lower cost.”
The design uses BASF’s UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilisers to protect the polymer structures from degradation.
“The additives and antioxidants used for the pontoons and produced at our McIntosh site improve durability and extend the lifetime of the systems,” said Marcus Pezent, McIntosh site director, BASF.
BASF is now exploring new locations for large-scale floating solar power installations at its manufacturing sites, the German group said.
