A recent report by Ember explained how Europe had eliminated coal as an energy source in 2024, giving way to renewable energies such as solar energy. This surge in solar power is leading to the search for potential alternatives for installing panels on different types of surfaces, such as aquatic environments.
A study group led by Carlos D. Rodríguez-Gallegos has assessed the current state and potential of floating solar installations worldwide.
For this analysis, they used the world’s largest global database compiling information from 1,142 commercial floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems as of 2022. They also considered geographical references of reservoirs, covering a total area of over 2.2 million square kilometers.
Current State and Potential of Floating Solar Energy
The study aims to analyze its implementation and performance, as well as study advanced configurations such as bifacial panels, tilt angles, and tracking systems.
The research had contributions from researchers at SERIS in Singapore, the National University of Singapore (NUS), as well as the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral in Ecuador, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Concordia University in Canada, and Deakin University in Australia.
Almost 90% of the installed capacity of floating solar is located in Asia, with China leading with nearly half of the accumulated capacity. This global dominance is due to favorable policies, ambitious goals focused on renewable energies, and regulations designed to support the expansion of FPV.
Although Asia leads in the development of floating solar panels, Africa is also exploring this technology. Zimbabwe is progressing with a 250 MW plant at the Kariba Dam, aiming to reach 1 GW.
In Ghana, a 5 MW system on a reservoir will be expanded to 15 MW, while Cape Town, South Africa, has completed several smaller projects. With abundant sun and limited water resources, Africa aims to meet its energy needs through these initiatives.
Benefits and Challenges of Floating Photovoltaics
The installation of photovoltaic systems on aquatic surfaces has presented various benefits, according to the study. Firstly, it optimizes limited space in areas with land scarcity. Additionally, FPV helps reduce water evaporation in reservoirs and keeps solar panel temperatures lower, enhancing their efficiency.
On the other hand, this technology avoids conflicts related to land use. For example, in the Swiss Alps, it has been shown that these installations can thrive even in adverse conditions, achieving superior performance regardless of altitude.
The analysis identified that the average size of FPV has increased in the last ten years from 0.09 MW in 2013 to 1.40 MW in 2022, and, concurrently, the average power density has increased from 82 W/m² to 123 W/m². Researchers have identified optimal configurations to maximize electrical performance, such as using solar tracking systems and bifacial panels that capture reflected light, thus improving energy generation.
Economically, FPV has proven to be competitive. For instance, the project director pointed to an Indian initiative that achieved an installation cost of just 0.41 dollars per watt, reinforcing the economic viability of this technology compared to other renewable energy options.
However, these installations also face certain challenges such as the initial cost being very high due to infrastructure. Additionally, the adaptability of the technology to different bodies of water (fresh or saltwater) and logistical complexities can also increase costs.
Future Perspectives of Floating Photovoltaics
Looking ahead, the research team plans to explore applications of FPV in offshore locations, investigating their energy potential, innovative designs, and the challenges posed by costs and maintenance.
According to their estimates, covering just 10% of the surface area of 249,717 continental reservoirs could generate a capacity of up to 22 TW, enough to meet all global electricity consumption and up to 5% of the global water demand.
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