Floating Photovoltaic Power Plants

Abstract

Photovoltaic power plants require large ground areas, conflicting with other land uses like agriculture or livestock. Alternatively, large water bodies are available and could be used as a basis for floating PV panels, reducing the need for land acquisition and improving PV panels’ performances. This article presents specific structures and components of floating PV power plants, with rigid or flexible PV panels, arranged on a floating or immersed support, and compare its potential performances with ground mounted PV plants.