Solar panels at the equator for global energy generation.

Scientists from the Australian National University Andrew Blakers and David Fernando Silalahi propose a solution to the problem of energy generation for the entire world and they see it in installing solar panels near the equator on the surface of seas and oceans.

According to researchers, the equator is the best place to collect solar energy. Solar stations floating in calm sea and ocean waters could effectively supply the densely populated countries of Southeast Asia and West Africa, as well as the entire world, with unlimited amounts of solar energy.

For example, solar power collected at the equator in Indonesia could generate about 35,000 terawatt hours (TWh) of solar energy per year, which is equivalent to the current global electricity production of about 30,000 TWh per year.

The equatorial part of West Africa near Nigeria also has the greatest potential for offshore floating solar power plants, scientists believe.

Floating solar panels can be placed on inland lakes and reservoirs.

Of course, the ocean is not safe. However, scientists believe that heat maps can be used to find regions that have not seen large waves or strong winds in the last 40 years. Floating solar panels in such regions do not require powerful and expensive engineering protection.

General restrictions for the use of solar panels in the world's oceans are waves no higher than 6 meters and wind gusts up to 15 m/s.

Given that floating solar panels in the equatorial zone can generate up to one million TWh per year, this is a good chance to take the next step towards a completely carbon-free world economy.

But for some reason scientists say nothing about how the batteries covering huge areas of the ocean surface will interfere with the life of marine fauna. I would like science to take this into account.