Enabling Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FPV) Deployment: Exploring the Operational Benefits of Floating Solar-Hydropower Hybrids

Abstract

Southeast Asian countries are taking significant steps to meet growing energy needs while reducing the carbon footprints of their power sectors. The adoption of renewable energy, including floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems, can help diversify power generation mixes and strengthen energy security. FPV systems offer a renewable option to help meet demand and lessen land-use conflicts, as well as other oft-cited co-benefits. Additionally, Southeast Asia is still experiencing some of the fastest electricity demand growth rates in the world even with a reduction in overall electricity demand due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (International Energy Agency 2020).This report explores the potential value that hybrid FPV-hydropower systems can provide for power systems. We model an example hybrid FPV-hydropower system to quantify the operational benefits that hybridization may provide. Using hourly time-series solar resource and seasonal resource data for a typical hydropower plant, we quantify the potential curtailment reduction, transmission utilization, and changes in seasonal and diurnal electricity generation for the hybrid FPV system. Results (summarized in Table ES 1) suggest that depending on the seasonality of hydropower resources, FPV system size, and transmission capacity, hybridizing FPV with hydropower could reduce PV curtailment and lead to more optimal use of limited water resources.

Risk Assessment and Policy Recommendations for a Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) System

“…FSPV systems must comply with environmental regulations such as those related to water quality and wildlife protection [68], [69], [70] Some examples of specific policies related to FSPV in Asia include Japan, China, and India. By 2030, Japan aims to have 50 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, which will include floating solar photovoltaics [71].…”

“…The Top Runner Program was influential in the FSPV system deployments. [103]- [105] The government is moving to competitive auctions and gradually eliminating the FITs and other subsidies, however the FITs initially played a significant role in encouraging new investment in PV systems [103]- [105].…”

“…The Poverty Alleviation program provides financial assistance to facilitate the deployment of FSPV at the village and utility levels. This program was essential for enabling the use of FSPV in coal mines that had been unused and extremely polluted and were therefore unsuitable for many other uses [105]. The Top Runner Program, which offered financial incentives to FSPV systems and other cutting-edge PV technologies, was crucial to the development of FSPV in the country.…”

“…The installation of approximately one (1) TWp of the FSPV was made possible by both initiatives, which have now been phased out. The country has since risen to become the largest FSPV system deployer globally [105].…”

“…With over 200 MW of FSPV deployed and the development of a local FSPV industry that generates jobs, Japan has also emerged as a global leader in FSPV technology [105]. Japan's specific power system requirements, hilly terrain, and land constraints have contributed to the interest in FSPV systems.…”