Environmental impacts and benefits of marine floating solar. (1st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hooper, Tara; Armstrong, Alona; Vlaswinkel, Brigitte
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 219(2021)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2021-05-01
• Subjects: Marine -- Floating solar photovoltaic -- Biofouling -- Ecosystem impact -- Artificial reef -- Public acceptance; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: Various designs for floating solar photovoltaics are appearing in marine waters. Insight from freshwater areas is not readily transferable to marine environments. Site-specific testing is required to address key knowledge gaps around biofouling. Potential negative impacts on coral and seagrass are of particular concern. Possible co-benefits include artificial reef effects and multi-use platform options. Abstract: Deployment of floating solar photovoltaic installations (floatovoltaics) is advancing, with various designs beginning to appear in a range of marine environments. Insight from freshwater floatovoltaics is not readily transferable offshore, and so lessons from other marine energy infrastructure are used to highlight how the marine environment may impact floatovoltaics, how the floatovoltaics impact the environment (both positively and negatively) and the likely societal response. It becomes clear that research to understand the environmental and societal implications of floating solar in the marine environment must proceed in parallel with investigations of the technical and economic feasibility.