Advantages of Floating Photovoltaic Systems
Effective Utilization of Water Surface Resources: Compared to terrestrial photovoltaic systems, floating photovoltaic systems can utilize larger water surface areas without occupying valuable land resources.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Since floating PV systems are installed on water surfaces, they have minimal impact on terrestrial ecosystems.
Reduced Energy Loss: Water has a much higher specific heat capacity than air, enabling it to absorb and store solar energy more efficiently, thereby reducing energy loss.
Additionally, the cooling effect of water on solar panels helps suppress temperature increases on the panel surface. According to relevant calculations, a 1°C reduction in solar panel temperature can increase electricity generation by 10% to 15% compared to ground or rooftop power stations in the same area.
Furthermore, the open terrain of water surfaces minimizes shadow constraints, enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic modules.
Integration with Other Water Facilities: Floating photovoltaic systems can be combined with other water-based facilities, such as aquaculture or waterway systems, enabling multi-purpose use and improving land utilization efficiency.
Improved Water Quality: The shading effect of floating photovoltaic arrays reduces photosynthesis in water, inhibiting algae growth and improving water quality. This approach also saves land resources and avoids the limitations of scarce terrestrial areas.
Moreover, floating photovoltaic projects do not require extensive ground excavation for foundations, cable trenches, or on-site roads, significantly reducing soil disruption and promoting soil and water conservation.
Stronger Profitability: These systems promote the comprehensive utilization of developed or undeveloped water bodies across different regions, enhancing the added value of water resources and increasing economic benefits.
Shorter Investment Payback Period: Compared to land-based power stations, water resources have lower rental prices and construction costs, significantly shortening the investment payback period.
Disadvantages of Floating Photovoltaic Systems
High Technical Requirements: The design, construction, and operation of floating photovoltaic systems are more complex than terrestrial systems, requiring advanced technical expertise.
High Requirements for Floating Equipment: Floating equipment must possess excellent corrosion resistance, low density, frost resistance, and wind and wave resistance. The reliability of components in humid environments, as well as the load-bearing capacity and service life of floating platforms, must be carefully considered.
High Investment Costs: Due to the need for specialized construction equipment and technology, the construction costs of floating photovoltaic systems are higher than those of land-based systems.
Susceptibility to Natural Conditions: Floating photovoltaic systems are more vulnerable to natural factors such as wind, waves, and water currents. Additionally, monitoring is required to ensure that photovoltaic modules do not adversely affect water quality, aquatic life, or plants. This necessitates a robust anchoring system and more sophisticated operation and maintenance management.
Construction Challenges: Construction on water is more difficult, as heavy machinery cannot be easily used. Multiple factors must be considered, leading to longer construction periods and more complex processes.
Water Conditions for Floating Photovoltaic Power Plants
Floating photovoltaic power stations can be installed on various types of water bodies, including natural lakes, artificial reservoirs, coal mining subsidence areas, and sewage treatment plants. As long as there is sufficient water, equipment installation is feasible.
These systems can transform "wastewater" into a new power generation platform. By covering the water surface, they reduce evaporation, inhibit microbial growth, and enhance water purification. Additionally, the cooling effect of water helps address the cooling challenges faced by land-based photovoltaic systems. With unobstructed access to sunlight, floating power stations can improve power generation efficiency by approximately 5%.
Challenges Faced by Floating Photovoltaic Systems
The primary challenges for floating photovoltaic systems are the costs associated with floating components and soft costs.
Floating Component Costs: While photovoltaic modules and inverters are mature technologies, the cost of floating systems is typically higher than that of land-based installations. Floating systems include floating components, mooring systems, and anchoring systems. The design of these components varies by supplier and location, depending on factors such as water level fluctuations and extreme weather conditions. In China, for a 5-10 MW floating photovoltaic power station, the floating component system accounts for about one-third of the total cost, compared to an 8% increase in structural costs for ground-based systems.
Soft Costs: Soft costs, including labor, design, engineering, supply chain, and logistics, are higher for floating systems than for land-based plants. Construction on water is more complex and requires specialized facilities. Each water body presents unique challenges, making design and implementation more demanding. These costs can vary significantly across projects, and operation and maintenance expenses also carry a degree of uncertainty.
Future Prospects of Floating Photovoltaic Systems
In recent years, the floating photovoltaic mounting system market has experienced rapid growth. According to the latest reports, the global installed capacity of floating photovoltaics is expected to increase from 1.6 GW in 2021 to 4.8 GW in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.7%.
Technological innovation and cost reduction are key drivers of this growth. As the photovoltaic industry continues to evolve, floating photovoltaic systems are expected to achieve greater efficiency, lower costs, and enhanced stability. The expanding application scenarios for floating photovoltaic systems will create new growth opportunities in the market.
With continuous improvements in module conversion efficiency, cost reductions, and system reliability, floating photovoltaics are poised to shine even brighter in the future!