Reviewing floating photovoltaic (FPV) technology for solar energy generation

• Published in: Energy strategy reviews Vol. 54; p. 101449
• Main Authors: Koondhar, Mohsin Ali, Albasha, Lutfi, Mahariq, Ibrahim, Graba, Besma Bechir, Touti, Ezzeddine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cooling; Floating photovoltaic; Photovoltaic; Renewable energy; Water temperature; Photovoltaic; Floating photovoltaic; Cooling; Renewable energy; Water temperature
• ISSN: 2211-467X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2024.101449

Energy scarcity in various regions worldwide not only adversely affects people's quality of life but also hinders overall development. Pakistan is among the nations grappling with energy shortages, with high consumption and limited generation, resulting in a substantial energy shortfall of 2500 MW. Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems present an attractive solution for harnessing solar energy, particularly where land availability is constrained. These systems offer benefits such as conserving water and land while delivering higher power output compared to conventional terrestrial PV systems. While the advantages of FPV systems are generally recognized, research on their specific characteristics remains limited. This paper aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive review of FPV technology and its potential applications, particularly in Pakistan. By comparing ground-mounted and FPV systems, the study explores the economic, technological, and environmental implications of FPV adoption in regions with similar geographical profiles. The analysis highlights not only the cooling impact of water, which enhances the efficiency of FPV systems, but also other key aspects such as cost-effectiveness, site preparation, and environmental impact. Output power of FPV and land based obtained are 390 kW and 370 kW at irradiances of 180kW/m2and 170 kW/m2 at temperature from 30 to35°C respectively. The findings demonstrate the viability of FPV systems and emphasize that by leveraging the characteristics of water temperature, it becomes feasible to more accurately predict the electricity generation potential of FPV systems. This synthesis offers new insights and underscores the potential for FPV adoption in areas facing similar energy challenges. [Display omitted] •FPV Systems' rise in solar energy generation in Pakistan was analyzed.•FPV systems performance was compared with ground PV systems.•FPVS research gaps with emphasis in Pakistan are discussed.•New insights about water's cooling impact on FPVS are presented.