Search
Taiwan Reboots Its Solar-Power Fishponds With “aquavoltaics,” fish farms do double duty as solar plants

August 19, 2024 | IEEE Spectrum |

Taiwan is leveraging its extensive fishponds to develop aquavoltaics, combining solar power with aquaculture, to boost renewable energy while sustaining its vital fishery industry. A 42.9 MW facility in Tainan’s Qigu district has already started operations, producing solar energy and seafood, including mullet, shrimp, and milkfish. The government aims to install 4.4 GW of aquavoltaics by 2025 to meet its renewable energy targets, particularly for its energy-intensive semiconductor industry.

While the concept offers potential to revive struggling fishing communities, critics argue that these goals are unrealistic. Environmentalists and nonprofits warn of negative impacts on ecosystems and conflicts between solar development and agriculture. Regulatory hurdles, such as restrictions imposed after the 2020 "Double-Seven Incident," have delayed projects, including Google’s renewable energy facility. 

Proponents emphasize the economic benefits, with aquavoltaics boosting seafood yields and providing higher revenues for fish farmers. Hongde Renewable Energy’s site, for example, produced 100,000 kilograms of seafood in its first year, while its indoor facility aims to generate $500,000 to $900,000 annually from shrimp farming.

Balancing solar expansion with environmental conservation remains a challenge. Developers have set aside land for wildlife, but some worry that indoor aquavoltaic facilities could harm habitats. As Taiwan pushes forward, it must navigate these tensions to achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals.

Viewed Articles
Taiwan Reboots Its Solar-Power Fishponds With “aquavoltaics,” fish farms do double duty as solar plants
August 19, 2024 | IEEE Spectrum | Taiwan is leveraging its extensive fishponds to develop aquavoltaics, combining solar power with aquaculture, to boost renewable energy while sustaining its vital fis
Read More
Taiwan Launches 20 Flagship Carbon Reduction Projects for 2050 Net-Zero Transition
January 23, 2025 | Newtalk News (In Chinese) |  The 3rd meeting of the Taiwan’s National Climate Change Committee has unveiled a comprehensive decarbonization plan involving six key ministries to driv
Odisha: ICAR-NRRI scientists develop novel formulation for reducing methane emissions from paddy fields
August 15, 2024 | Sambad English | Scientists at the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) in Odisha, India, have developed an innovative solution to mitigate methane emissions from paddy field
Building Partnerships for Innovative Rice Straw Management: Key to a Greener Future
November 02, 2024 | International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) | Experts from governments, NGOs, academia, and industry gathered at a two-day workshop co-organized by IRRI and ADB to address sustain
Denmark will be first to impose CO <sub>2</sub> tax on farms, government says
June 25, 2024 | Reuters | Denmark will become the first country to impose a tax on livestock carbon dioxide emissions starting in 2030, aiming to meet its 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission
Bursa Malaysia Debuts Malaysia’s First Nature-Based Carbon Credits
September 4, 2024 | carboncredits.com | On July 25, Bursa Malaysia’s subsidiary, Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX), held Malaysia’s first carbon credits auction, featuring Nature-based Carbon Credits Plus (
TOP