Floating solar |


Harnessing two forces of nature


As the world turns its focus to combating climate change and embracing renewable energy, a powerful fusion is taking center stage: floating solar installations at


hydropower plants. This innovative synergy of two eco-friendly giants - hydropower and solar energy - is not limited to any one region. From the sun-bathed landscapes of Southeast Asia to water reservoirs in far-flung corners of the globe, floating solar is illuminating a promising path to a greener and more sustainable future


AMID THE PRESSING NEED for a carbon-neutral future, the quest for clean and sustainable energy solutions has spurred a wave of technological advancements across the globe. Part of this movement is floating solar, a marriage of two abundant and renewable resources - water and sunlight. While traditionally celebrated for their individual contributions to the clean energy revolution, hydropower and solar energy are now combining their strengths in a synergistic partnership that defies geographical boundaries. As floating solar installations gain momentum, they demonstrate their versatility and adaptability to various landscapes and climates worldwide. From bustling metropolitan centers to remote rural communities, the allure of harnessing the dual power of water and sun proves irresistible. In this feature, we explore successful case studies from different continents, and look at the potential for this growing partnership.


Potential in Southeast Asia For nations blessed with abundant solar resources but


Below: China successfully launched the Kela photovoltaic (PV) power station - the world’s largest hybrid solar-hydropower plant. Image shows a rendering of the project, courtesy of the State Development and Investment Group


faced with limited land space, the concept of floating PV, or FPV, has emerged as a promising clean energy solution. Recently, researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), supported by the laboratory’s partnership with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Regional Development Mission for Asia, conducted a groundbreaking evaluation of FPV potential in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This landmark report, titled “Enabling Floating


Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment: FPV Technical Potential Assessment for Southeast Asia,” presents a


comprehensive estimation of FPV’s technical potential across the ten ASEAN member countries. The study is further bolstered by an FPV data set, accessible to the public through the USAID-NREL Partnership’s Renewable Energy (RE) Data Explorer tool. Although traditional renewable energy sources like


solar arrays and wind farms are effective for energy generation, they often encounter challenges related to land use. In contrast, floating photovoltaic (FPV) arrays offer a unique solution by being installed on water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, or water treatment ponds. This approach not only eliminates land use concerns but also optimizes otherwise unused water surfaces for energy production. In cases where hydropower infrastructure is already established or planned, FPV arrays can complement these facilities, mitigating concerns about electricity reliability during droughts or water scarcity. This holds particular significance for Southeast


Asia, a region with substantial existing hydropower infrastructure but occasional energy security concerns during periods of water scarcity. FPV can work synergistically with hydropower, providing additional energy generation support during low reservoir levels or droughts, thus ensuring grid stability. “While we can’t generalize about Southeast Asia as a whole, one thing that is basically universally true of the region is that it has an established network of hydropower generation sites. FPV can support these sources as water levels fluctuate to ensure grid stability,” said Evan Rosenlieb, a geospatial data scientist at NREL who performed the resource and technical potential analysis for this project. Moreover, much of Southeast Asia is covered by


rainforest ecosystems, making it crucial to explore renewable energy solutions that don’t involve deforestation. FPV’s installation on water surfaces presents an environmentally friendly way to increase renewable energy capacity without encroaching on forests and their ecological significance. Moreover, in Southeast Asia, there is a growing


interest in exploring water-based solutions, one of which is aquaculture – a farming method that involves raising aquatic creatures like fish, crustaceans, and other species in controlled water environments. The presence of aquaculture sites offers distinctive opportunities and advantages for the deployment of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems.


44 | August 2023 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


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