According to foreign media reports, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers recently analyzed the technical potential of installing floating photovoltaic systems in 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This is the first such assessment in Southeast Asia, and the data analyzed include 88 reservoirs (which include both hydroelectric and non-hydroelectric facilities) and 7,213 natural water bodies in the region. The report states that the technical potential for installing floating PV systems in Southeast Asia ranges from 477GW to 1,046GW.
The team found that reservoirs in Southeast Asia have the potential to install 134GW to 278GW of floating PV systems, and 343 GW` to 768GW on natural water bodies. Considering the type of water body, reservoirs in Laos and Malaysia have a greater potential for development, while natural water bodies in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have a greater potential for development. The potential for installing floating PV systems is comparable in different types of water bodies in Vietnam.
The researchers said, "Our results show that the average net capacity factor, which takes into account the losses of the PV inverter, does not vary significantly between the type of water body and the distance sensitivity of the single-sided PV panels (the average net capacity factor varies between 15.6 and 16.0%)." They noted that the average net capacity factor increased by a factor of 1.05 with double-sided fixed-tilt PV panels, based on a previous analysis.
This research team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) used an advanced geospatial assessment methodology to develop four technology scenarios based on two different floating PV system types (single- and double-sided) and two water body types (reservoirs and natural water bodies). This research builds on previous studies including non-hydroelectric facility reservoirs, inland natural water bodies, and bifacial PV modules. In addition, the team used high temporal and spatial resolution solar irradiance data, which was not used in previous technology potential assessments.
The researchers explain, "Overall, the technical potential for installing floating PV systems on natural bodies of water is higher than that of reservoirs. However, due to site-specific constraints and environmental impact considerations, the actual exploitable capacity of natural water bodies may be significantly lower." They added that water bodies more than 50 kilometers from major roads and water bodies within protected areas were excluded from the study.
Thailand has the greatest potential for installing floating PV systems in reservoirs, with 576 suitable water bodies in the country with a potential installed capacity of 57,645MW and 83,781GWh / year. Indonesia has the greatest potential for floating PV systems in natural bodies of water, with 2,719 suitable bodies of water in the country, with a potential installed capacity of 271,897 MW and generating capacity of 369,059 GWh/year.
The researchers said, "The study shows that there is great potential for installing floating PV systems in Southeast Asia. A number of countries have ambitious renewable energy targets focused on the development of PV systems, hydropower facilities and wind power facilities. Floating PV systems provide an additional renewable energy generation option that can utilize existing infrastructure, particularly existing hydroelectric facilities, and support the region in meeting its ambitious decarbonization targets."
Their findings were published on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) website under the title Assessment of Technical Potential for Installing Floating Photovoltaic Systems in Southeast Asia. The study is said to help policymakers and planners better understand the role that floating photovoltaic (PV) systems may play in meeting the energy needs of the Southeast Asian region, and ultimately help inform investment decisions.
The researchers conclude, "Detailed market and economic-technical potential assessments are needed to further evaluate the opportunities for installing floating PV systems in each country in Southeast Asia. For specific locations, detailed site-specific analyses are needed due to the lack of bathymetry, wind, wave and sediment data at the regional level."
