Ways to Reduce the Electricity Generation Cost of Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems on the Ocean
With the gradual increase in global electricity demand and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, human society urgently needs to develop clean and renewable energy sources. Solar energy, as a widely distributed and environmentally friendly renewable resource, is currently the most extensively utilized form of natural energy, both directly and indirectly. Photovoltaic (PV) power generation, which converts solar energy into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, represents a key method of harnessing solar energy and is the most widely adopted solar power generation technology today.
China’s floating solar PV power generation projects began in 2016. Following the introduction of the Leadership Plan and the 13th Five-Year Plan, the core construction areas for PV power stations shifted from the western regions—where power consumption is insufficient and rationing is severe—to the central and eastern regions, which have dense populations, commercial hubs, and significant power deficits. Among various PV technologies, marine floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation has emerged as a promising solution due to its advantages, including:
Large available sea surface area
Stable solar radiation resources
Low land-use conflicts
Enhanced cooling effects
As a result, marine FPV has become a critical component of China’s renewable energy development strategy. While several countries have conducted research in this field and deployed operational projects, the complex and harsh marine environment leads to higher construction costs compared to land-based PV systems, resulting in elevated electricity generation costs. Therefore, improving the economic viability of marine FPV systems and reducing their generation costs remain urgent challenges for the PV industry.
This paper analyzes strategies for reducing the electricity generation costs of marine FPV systems through three key approaches:
Multi-source symbiosis
Industrial linkage
Component function optimization
These methods provide new insights for constructing efficient and low-cost marine floating PV systems.
1. Multi-Source Symbiosis
Compared to land-based regions, oceanic weather is more variable and unpredictable, affecting the output power and economic efficiency of PV systems. The multi-source symbiosis approach integrates other renewable energy generation methods with PV systems to maximize energy utilization while reducing infrastructure costs through shared facilities.
1.1 Marine Floating PV-Wind Hybrid Power Stations
Offshore wind power, like PV, suffers from output fluctuations, particularly in dynamic marine environments. Studies indicate a weak negative correlation between solar irradiance and wind speed, making hybrid wind-PV systems an effective solution. By deploying floating PV modules between or near wind turbines, both energy sources can complement each other, stabilizing power output.
Advantages of hybrid systems:
Reduced power fluctuations
Higher renewable energy utilization
Shared infrastructure (cables, mooring systems, anti-wind/wave facilities)
Lower combined operational and construction costs than standalone systems
To enhance efficiency, intelligent control and AI-based energy management can optimize real-time operation, predict grid demand, and prevent power curtailment.
1.2 Thin-Film Floating PV with Wave Energy Integration
An emerging technology in marine FPV is thin-film floating PV, which is lightweight and flexible. Early designs used nonlinear deformation structures to simulate wave resistance, while modern iterations incorporate wave energy converters.
Wave energy generation methods include:
Floating buoy type (used in thin-film FPV)
Oscillating water column type
Pressure differential type
Overtopping type
By combining solar and wave energy, these systems achieve dual power generation, improving overall efficiency and reducing costs.
2. Industrial Linkage
Marine FPV systems can integrate with other industries, enhancing economic viability through the "PV+" model.
2.1 Integration with Aquaculture
Modern aquaculture requires significant electricity, which marine FPV can supply sustainably. Fish-PV complementary systems utilize water surfaces for both power generation and aquaculture, improving resource efficiency.
2.2 Marine Environmental Engineering Synergy
FPV systems reduce direct solar radiation on water, lowering local sea temperatures—beneficial for overheating regions. Additionally, seawater cools PV modules, boosting efficiency.
Bamboo-based floating PV systems use eco-friendly materials, minimizing marine ecological damage while enhancing buoyancy.
2.3 Chemical Industry Applications
Marine FPV can power hydrogen production via seawater electrolysis, utilizing waste heat for cooling. However, excessive thermal discharge must be managed to protect marine ecosystems.
3. Component Function Optimization
3.1 Reducing Energy Consumption
Advanced submarine cables (corrosion-resistant, high mechanical strength)
Immersion cooling technology enhances heat dissipation.
3.2 Stable Energy Supply
Mean inclination angle concept for wave-affected PV modules.
3.3 Wave Damage Resistance
Sealed equipment enclosures
Modular floating designs reduce wave impact.
4. Outlook
Marine FPV faces challenges like lack of standardization, but China’s vast coastline offers significant potential. Key steps include:
Government policy support
Industry collaboration
R&D advancements
5. Conclusion
This paper analyzed cost-reduction strategies for marine FPV through multi-source symbiosis, industrial linkage, and component optimization. Future efforts should focus on standardization, policy support, and technological innovation to achieve large-scale, cost-effective marine FPV deployment.
