Floating solar |
Above: Floating solar farm near agricultural field in The Netherlands
Looking to the future, further research is
Below: More research is need to guide the future deployment of potential FPVs
required to prioritise investigating the ecological consequences of FPVs on freshwater systems. And this knowledge, Woolway et al stress, must be used to develop strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts while maximising the co-benefits of this technology. “We still don’t know exactly how floating panels might affect the ecosystem within a natural lake, in different conditions and locations. But the potential gain in energy generation from FPV is clear, so we need to put that research in place so this technology can be safely adopted,” lead author of the paper, Bangor University’s Dr Lestyn Woolway says.
Underdeveloped potential Despite the potential they hold, the UK has
reportedly seen few floating solar projects take off, with the sector even being described as “woefully underdeveloped”. The largest scheme is a 6.3MW development on the Queen Elizabeth II reservoir, near London, with Nova Innovation’s Edinburgh development successfully powering Forth Ports’ headquarters since late 2023. As Kit Million Ross recently reported in the Solar Power Portal: “Nova Innovation has since formed a joint venture with engineering specialist RSK, named AquaGen365, in an attempt to roll out more floating solar projects. Green Cat Renewables has also thrown its hat in the ring, asking Westmorland and Furness Council for a screening opinion on a potential 35- 40MW project at Canvendish Dock, on the coast of Scotland.”
If the UK was to take full advantage of its FPV
potential, as much as 2.7TWh of electricity could be generated each year. Given that the UK has around 570 reservoirs (although not all of these produce hydropower), floating solar installations could provide a significant boost to UK energy security. “If the UK is to fully realise the potential of floating
solar, there needs to be a concerted effort to boost uptake of this tech- not to mention an uptick in research, policy support, and industry investment. Only then,” Ross says, “can the UK tap into the significant advantages FPV offers and contribute meaningfully to its renewable energy goals.” European estimates have suggested that by using just 2.3% of the total area of Europe’s hydropower reservoirs for floating solar installations, 42.3TWh of power could be produced annually.
38 | December 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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