As the world shifts towards renewable energy solutions, floating solar energy systems have emerged as a promising option. According to a recent report from TNO for the International Energy Agency (IEA) PVPS Task 12, the carbon footprints of floating solar systems on inland waters are similar to those of land-based systems. This groundbreaking report is the first global study to analyze the carbon footprint of operational floating solar systems in detail.
The study, led by TNO scientist Josco Kester, examined two operational floating solar systems in Western Europe. The research showed that from a greenhouse gas emissions perspective, floating photovoltaic (PV) systems are a valuable complement to traditional ground-mounted PV systems. Kester highlighted that if the degradation of PV modules is kept low, the carbon footprint of floating systems could be three to four times lower than the EU’s 2030 grid mix target of 176 g CO2/kWh.
Rapid Growth in Floating Solar Energy
Floating solar energy is a rapidly growing segment within the photovoltaics (PV) market. However, until now, detailed life cycle inventory (LCI) analyses were scarce. This report offers an in-depth look at the carbon footprint of floating solar systems by assessing total greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycle, from production and installation to waste treatment or recycling at the end of their operational life.
The report compares two operational floating solar systems—one using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and the other using a steel/HDPE composition—installed on inland water bodies in the Netherlands and Germany. These systems were compared to hypothetical ground-mounted systems, modeled using background data, to assess their carbon footprints.
Key Findings
The research revealed that the carbon footprint per kWh energy yield for the two floating solar installations is approximately 50 g CO2/kWh. This figure is significantly lower than the EU grid mix target for 2030 and is only 15% higher than the carbon footprint of an east-west ground-mounted PV system.
Additionally, the study identified several ways to further reduce the carbon footprint of floating solar systems by over 40%:
- Manufacturing PV modules using low-carbon electricity sources.
- Using recycled materials for the support structures.
- Recycling HDPE at the end of the system’s life.
Looking Ahead
These findings reinforce the importance of floating solar systems as a sustainable option for renewable energy generation. The study recommends long-term monitoring and comprehensive environmental assessments to better understand the lifetime performance, performance ratio, and degradation rate of PV modules and components in floating systems.
As interest in renewable energy continues to grow, the development of floating solar energy systems presents an exciting opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs in the agrarian sector. With comparable carbon footprints to land-based systems and significant potential for further improvements, floating solar systems are poised to play an essential role in the future energy mix.
