Are Floating Solar Panels the Future of Clean Energy?

Floating Solar Panels, also known as Floatovoltaics (FPV), are panels similar to traditional solar panels in terms of their function but are designed to float on water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs and oceans. 

Compared to photovoltaic panels, these are advantageous as they can help to conserve land for fundamental uses such as agriculture and urban development. They can operate at higher efficiencies and reduce reservoir water losses from evaporation by blocking radiative energy and lowering temperatures. 

Even though FPVs provide an exciting opportunity for clean energy production, they pose two downsides: the cost of installation and maintenance and the potential threat to marine life. “Putting solar panels on the water tends to cost about 15% more than installing them on land - but the higher costs are partially offset by the cooling effect of the water, which can make the panels more efficient and may extend their lifetime,” said Celine Paton, Senior Financial Analyst, Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS). Similarly, these panels help limit harmful algal blooms in water supplies. 

According to ArsTeechnica, covering just 10% of the surface area of the world's reservoirs with FPV systems could produce as much as 4,300TWh of electricity per year. If 30% of the surface area of reservoirs were covered, as much as 9,400TWh of electricity could be generated annually. This is a significant amount of electricity that could help meet the world's growing energy demands, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Mexico, along with India, China, Brazil, Russia, Australia, Turkey, Canada and South Africa, are the countries with the best potential for FPV implementations

Nonetheless, the concept of FPV is relatively new and the knowledge of potential consequences is limited. Alona Armstrong, Energy and Environment Lecturer, Lancaster University said, “there is very limited understanding about the potential impacts … Uptake of renewables needs to happen to decarbonize energy supplies. The question is how can we do it in a way that not only avoids environmental detriments but results in environmental benefits.”