The Challenge
A 5 MWp floating solar farm in the Straits of Johor comprised 13,312 panels and more than 30,000 floats, spread over an area equivalent to seven football fields. During construction, marine debris accumulated between the floats and created hazards for maintenance crews. Hocklim was engaged to design a protective barrier.
Design collaboration and Trial Mock up installation
Hocklim and TenCate identified two types of debris: floating material and partially submerged material. A custom barrier was designed to intercept both. A 20-metre mock-up was installed on 21 September 2020 and monitored for six months. The trial showed that the barrier separated debris from the farm while maintaining its shape.
Following the successful trial, Hocklim was awarded the contract to protect the solar farm’s full 1.2 km perimeter with the TenCate Debris Barrier.
TenCate developed a protective fabric shield with a tensile strength of 45 kN/m and a minimum strength retention of 80% after 5,000 hours of UV chamber exposure. These properties were selected to withstand tidal movement, intense heat and frequent thunderstorms at the site.
The Solution
The barrier has two components. High-density polystyrene cylinders provide flotation and keep surface debris outside the farm. UV-treated woven polypropylene geotextile covers the cylinders. Beneath them, a 1-metre-deep curtain of high-tenacity woven polyester geotextile intercepts partially submerged debris.
Figure 2: Debris prevented from entering the solar farm
The installed barrier protects the 1.2 km perimeter and helps keep the maintenance environment clear of floating and partially submerged debris.