Energy production and water savings from floating solar photovoltaics on global reservoirs

Yubin Jin, Shijie Hu, Alan D. Ziegler, Luke Gibson, J. Elliott Campbell, Rongrong Xu, Deliang Chen, Kai Zhu, Yan Zheng, Bin Ye, Fan Ye and Zhenzhong Zeng ()
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Yubin Jin: Southern University of Science and Technology
Shijie Hu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Alan D. Ziegler: Mae Jo University
Luke Gibson: Southern University of Science and Technology
J. Elliott Campbell: University of California
Rongrong Xu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Deliang Chen: University of Gothenburg
Kai Zhu: University of California
Yan Zheng: Southern University of Science and Technology
Bin Ye: Southern University of Science and Technology
Fan Ye: MingYang Smart Energy
Zhenzhong Zeng: Southern University of Science and Technology

Nature Sustainability, 2023, vol. 6, issue 7, 865-874

Abstract: Abstract Growing global energy use and the adoption of sustainability goals to limit carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning are increasing the demand for clean energy, including solar. Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems on reservoirs are advantageous over traditional ground-mounted solar systems in terms of land conservation, efficiency improvement and water loss reduction. Here, based on multiple reservoir databases and a realistic climate-driven photovoltaic system simulation, we estimate the practical potential electricity generation for FPV systems with a 30% coverage on 114,555 global reservoirs is 9,434 ± 29 TWh yr−1. Considering the proximity of most reservoirs to population centres and the potential to develop dedicated local power systems, we find that 6,256 communities and/or cities in 124 countries, including 154 metropolises, could be self-sufficient with local FPV plants. Also beneficial to FPV worldwide is that the reduced annual evaporation could conserve 106 ± 1 km3 of water. Our analysis points to the huge potential of FPV systems on reservoirs, but additional studies are needed to assess the potential long-term consequences of large systems.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01089-6

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