(Xinhua/Guo Chen)

The world's largest floating solar power plant with 160,000 solar panels and 40 MW installed capacity has been put into use in Huainan, east China's Anhui province. It is able to supply electricity to 15,000 families, cankaoxiaoxi.com reported on August 15.

The floating solar power plant saves money by not occupying expensive land and generates more electricity compared to plants built on land. The water cooling system underneath the solar panels and the presence of little dust all contribute to improving the plant's power generating efficiency.

However, there are shortcomings with the floating plant as construction and operating costs are much higher than in plants built on land.

Waterproof solar panels and cables were used to prevent water corrosion. In addition, seaweeds below the panels have to be cleared every day to ensure safety of the equipment.