A salmon farming site off Chile’s coast discovered an unexpected advantage after switching from diesel generators to floating solar panels. The effort sought to lower emissions and fuel use, yet the installation also produced a calmer and more sheltered space that drew thousands of salmon.
The work took place at Mowi’s Huar Norte farm in the Los Lagos region. Partners AKVA group, Alotta Energy and Fjord Maritime mounted a floating solar array above the pens, according to The Pulse. The goal was to reduce diesel dependence and improve conditions at the remote location.
The farm had long relied on diesel generators for electricity. Besides releasing carbon, the units created constant noise and vibrations in the water.
Remote offshore farms usually lack grid connections, so diesel remains common. Fuel transport to such sites raises costs and emissions, leading operators to test floating solar and battery storage.
After the panels were added, diesel use fell sharply. The generators ran less often and more quietly, cutting underwater noise and vibrations to create a calmer setting for the fish.
AKVA group supplied the pens, Alotta Energy provided the solar system, and Fjord Maritime handled battery storage. The hybrid setup now covers about 57 percent of the farm’s electricity demand. It saves more than 36,000 gallons of diesel each year and reduces carbon emissions by roughly 386 tonnes. Fewer fuel boats now travel to the site.
Beyond cleaner power, the panels shaded the pens, offering protection from sunlight and predatory birds. The quieter, cleaner conditions prompted large numbers of salmon to gather beneath the structures, making the shaded area their new habitat.
Similar behavior has been noted elsewhere, where cod have used shaded zones under floating platforms for shelter. Alotta Energy has tested comparable systems in Norway and runs what it describes as the world’s northernmost floating solar plant. At the Chile site, the project improved operations while delivering an added benefit for marine life.
