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Considerations for Assessing the Technical Potential of Floating Solar Photovoltaics: A Systematic Review
  • Emma Forester,
  • Rebecca Hernandez
Emma Forester
Department of Land, Air & Water Resources, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

Corresponding Author:emmakforester@gmail.com

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Rebecca Hernandez
Department of Land, Air & Water Resources, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
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Abstract

Floating photovoltaic solar energy (FPV) are solar photovoltaic systems that float on bodies of water. They are a rapidly expanding renewable energy source emerging as an alternative to land-intensive ground-mounted solar arrays. The applications of this technology are commonly explored through technical potential assessments; a vital step in the development of renewable energy resources that allow for the identification of feasible installation sites and provide an estimation of costs, power generation, and capacity (Lee and Roberts 2018). These assessments are carried out to aid planners, policymakers, and other decision-makers in predicting and achieving goals related to the development of renewable energy; however, some considerations may be overlooked. Assessing the technical potential of solar energy without a standardized methodological framework for site selection may lead to an inconsistent range of generation outcomes, adding to the confusion and lack of confidence that has been a significant barrier to the growth of renewable energy in recent years (Seetharaman 2019) This study systematically reviewed criteria in the published literature emphasizing assessment of FPV technical potential and related siting studies, especially those using geographic technologies. The systematic review was performed in alignment with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Preliminary findings of this systematic review suggest that FPV site selection criteria can be categorized into economic, social, environmental, and technical considerations. We aim to elucidate which criteria within each classification are important to include in an FPV siting study based on the current literature. Results from this analysis will inform the standardization of a site-selection framework used in future technical potential studies, which may, in turn, improve the accuracy of generation estimates and offer a meaningful and realistic idea of how FPV installations could transform the direction of renewable energy science and development.