Water Conservation Potential of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics

Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Pierce Mayville, Ravneet Kaur Kailey and Joshua Pearce
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Koami Soulemane Hayibo: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
Pierce Mayville: Department of Material Science & Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
Ravneet Kaur Kailey: Department of Material Science & Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-24

Abstract: A potential solution to the coupled water–energy–food challenges in land use is the concept of floating photovoltaics or floatovoltaics (FPV). In this study, a new approach to FPV is investigated using a flexible crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) module backed with foam, which is less expensive than conventional pontoon-based FPV. This novel form of FPV is tested experimentally for operating temperature and performance and is analyzed for water-savings using an evaporation calculation adapted from the Penman–Monteith model. The results show that the foam-backed FPV had a lower operating temperature than conventional pontoon-based FPV, and thus a 3.5% higher energy output per unit power. Therefore, foam-based FPV provides a potentially profitable means of reducing water evaporation in the world’s at-risk bodies of fresh water. The case study of Lake Mead found that if 10% of the lake was covered with foam-backed FPV, there would be enough water conserved and electricity generated to service Las Vegas and Reno combined. At 50% coverage, the foam-backed FPV would provide over 127 TWh of clean solar electricity and 633.22 million m 3 of water savings, which would provide enough electricity to retire 11% of the polluting coal-fired plants in the U.S. and provide water for over five million Americans, annually.

Keywords: water; floatovoltaic; photovoltaic; energy water nexus; dual use; water conservation; FPV; floating photovoltaic; solar energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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